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US rejects Raila plot but backs call for dialogue
US President Donald Trump’s administration is piling pressure on NASA leader Raila Odinga to abandon his planned swearing-in on December 12, saying it is unconstitutional. US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Donald Yamamoto, who met Raila and his team on Tuesday, told Opposition leaders that the US would push for dialogue with President Uhuru Kenyatta to find an amicable solution. ALSO READ: NASA: Raila’s swearing in will give Kenyans hope for electoral justice “The United States also urges Opposition leaders to work within Kenya’s laws to pursue the reforms they seek and to avoid extra-constitutional actions such as the proposed ‘inauguration ceremony’ on December 12,” said a statement from the US embassy in Nairobi. Deep divisions “We again call for an immediate, sustained, open, and transparent national conversation involving all Kenyans to build national unity, address long-standing issues, and resolve the deep divisions that the electoral process has exacerbated,” it added. The Church, the European Union, the United Nations, some civil society groups, and international elections observers have urged respect for the rule of law and dialogue to resolve the matter. Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, the secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development posted on Twitter: “I thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and R.H. Raila Odinga for according me an audience on our country’s state. Kenya’s bright future will be unlocked by leaders transcending entrenched positions even to the displeasure of some of their ardent followers.” In the statement the US said it looks forward to Kenya continuing to uphold its 2010 Constitution to include respecting an independent Judiciary, protecting the democratic space for a vibrant civil society and media, and ensuring all citizens have the right to express their views. Yamamoto, US ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec, and National Security Council Director for Africa Jonathan Howard have held separate meetings with Kenyan government officials, civil society representatives, and Opposition leaders from December 4 – 6.
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