UK High Commissioner Jane Marriot denies having preferred presidential candidate
UK High Commissioner to Kenya Jane Marriott has dismissed claims that the UK had a preferred candidate in the just concluded polls.
In a statement issued on Monday, Marriott stated that the fifth president is entirely tied to the choice of the Kenyan people.
Her statement follows claims that the UK and the High Commissioner had William Ruto as their preferred presidential candidate.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I want to categorically reiterate that the UK does not support or have a view on any candidates or parties in elections,” Marriott stated.
She says the commission has been meeting politicians across all outfits to explain the UK’s programmes and partnership with Kenya, including independent institutions.
She also said that Kenya will remain a vital partner for the UK through our Strategic Partnership.
1/3: There has been a lot of misinformation circulating in the last few days about the UK & myself with regards to 🇰🇪’s elections.
— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) August 22, 2022
For the avoidance of doubt, I want to categorically reiterate that the 🇬🇧 does not support or have a view on any candidates or parties in elections. pic.twitter.com/S7mOWE4e2Z
This follows a statement by the Foreign Envoys including Marriott on Tuesday last week asking those aggrieved following the declaration of William Ruto as the President-elect to follow existing mechanisms in seeking redress.
In a joint statement, the foreign envoys also asked political actors to uphold peace.
The Envoys included; Australia, Denmark, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
“We encourage all political parties and leaders to follow all existing mechanisms for dispute resolution, as laid out by the Constitution of Kenya,” they stated.
