Eyebrows As Uhuru Meets UK, US, China Envoys In One Week

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has been holding high-profile meetings with ambassadors of three of the world's biggest superpowers in eight days only, raising speculation across several political and diplomatic circles.

His latest meeting came on Monday, December 11 where he hosted Zhou Pingjian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Kenya, at his office in Nairobi.

In a statement, the country's fourth president conveyed his congratulatory message to the Chinese envoy ahead of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations to mark the Kenya-China relations.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta greets US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman on December 8, 2023. /OFFICE OF THE 4TH PRESIDENT

The 60th Kenya - China Celebrations will be marked on Thursday, December 14 at the Global Trade Centre (GTC) Office Tower in Westlands which Uhuru had officially opened in December 2021.

"H.E Uhuru Kenyatta acknowledged the great partnership between the two nations and how it shaped the development agenda during his tenure. Amb. Zhou reiterated the great impact the relations nurtured in fostering strong economic, political and cultural ties between Kenya and the People's Republic of China.

"President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta also briefed the Chinese Ambassador about his current role in the continent; Peace and Security. He emphasized that Peace remains the foundation for development and Africa can only realise its full potential when all nations in the continent are peaceful," the statement read in part.

Three days ago, the former President also hosted US Ambassador Meg Whitman in the company of former Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Macharia Kamau and former State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena.

Two days before that, Uhuru hosted British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan. Both of those meetings took place at his Nairobi office.

Following the meetings, some leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition read malice in Uhuru's meetings with leaders perceived to have supported President William Ruto, despite him holding an active position in the Azimio council.

“Why is (former) President Uhuru Kenyatta meeting individuals who rigged our 2022 presidential elections,” Homa Bay Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma wondered. 

“Keep off US ambassador Meg Whitman and her associates from the West.”

Wigan, while speaking to TV47's Flora Limukii on Monday outlined that the nature of the talks with Uhuru involved his peacekeeping mission, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as gaining an understanding of the local political landscape and homegrown solutions which can be applied to resolving them.

"We have talked to the national government and opposition to try and understand what they see as challenges in attaining political stability and areas where the international community can help," he reiterated.

"With the former President Kenyatta, we say he has a role in mediating in DRC and that is something I have particular interest in. So we talked about that as well."

Some Kenyans even argued that the envoys were seeking a handshake deal with Uhuru, who handed over the instruments of power to President Ruto on September 13, 2022.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta greets British High Commissioner to Kenya Nei Wigan on December 6, 2023. /OFFICE OF THE 4TH PRESIDENT