British Government recognizes President Kibaki and his Government

Kenyan State House

Nairobi, January 28, 2008

British Government recognizes President Kibaki and his Government

The British Government has refuted claims that it does not recognize President Mwai Kibaki and his Government.

British Minister for African Affairs Mark Malloch Brown said his Government respects Kenya and has never at any one time said it does not recognize President Kibaki and his Government, adding that Britain remains a great friend of Kenya.

Speaking today at State House Nairobi after delivering special greetings to President Kibaki from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr. Malloch Brown said the British Government was impartial about the current political situation in the country.

The British Minister pointed out that Kenya is an important country in the region and regretted that it has been affected by post election violence that has caused loss of lives and destruction of property.

In this regard, Mr. Malloch Brown conveyed the British Government’s donation of one million pounds towards the resettlement of those affected by the post election violence and expressed hope that the political impasse will be resolved fast to prevent the country from collapse.

On his part, President Kibaki welcomed the clarification from the British Government, saying Kenya was surprised by earlier reports that had alleged an unfavorable stand against the Kenya Government by Britain.

The President also thanked the British Government for the donation, saying it will go a long way towards complementing the Kenya Government’s efforts towards assisting those affected by the post election violence.

The Head of State once again stressed that Kenyans have a right to live and own property in any part of the country and urged wananchi to be calm as a solution to the current political situation is being sought through political dialogue.

Present were British High Commissioner to Kenya Adam Wood and Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi.