Uhuru's Phone Call With US Secretary Of State During Elections

President Uhuru Kenyatta had a phone call with US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken on Saturday, August 13, almost a weekend after the August 9, 2022, general elections took place.

In a statement shared by US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price, the discussion touched on Blinken's recent tour of South Africa as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.

Blinken noted his appreciation for Uhuru's continued efforts to progress regional peace and security. 

He also called upon Kenyans to exercise continued patience as the tallying of votes from the presidential elections go on.

"Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss the Secretary’s recent visit to South Africa, the DRC, and Rwanda, noting his appreciation for President Kenyatta’s continued efforts to advance regional peace and security.

"Secretary Blinken encouraged continued peace and patience as the vote tallying from Kenya’s August 9 election proceeds," the statement read in part.

“We urge a peaceful and transparent democratic process, which is critical to delivering a more prosperous and secure future for all Kenyans."

Uhuru Meets AU Election Observers

The President also met a team of AU/ COMESA election observers at State House, Nairobi, who briefed him on their observations about the election process.

The team led by former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma said the electoral process has been relatively transparent and all the observers have issued positive reports.

In their brief to President Kenyatta, the team, which included former Presidents Domitien Ndayizeye (Burundi) and Mulatu Teshome (Ethiopia) as well as Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd of Seychelles, noted that the election system and institutions worked within the law and international best practice.

The election observers emphasized that they have learnt a lot from the elections in Kenya and will share a good example of real democracy, institutional credibility and upholding the rule of law to build the “Africa we want”.

They cited the deployment of technology as well as the respect of the Constitution and institutions during the electoral process as some of the examples of good practices that should be emulated.

Commending President Kenyatta and the people of Kenya for the spirited campaigns which were peaceful and inclusive, the observers hoped for a credible and peaceful outcome as well as a post-election process that will form part of President Kenyatta’s legacy.

Thanking the Election Observer Mission to Kenya for its commitment, President said he was proud of the peaceful and orderly manner of the campaigns and voting which witnessed reduced ethnic tension and focused on issues.

"The only anxiety witnessed has been that of anticipation but not of fear,” President Kenyatta said.

He said his focus is on the completion of the electoral process, maintaining peace and security as well as the transition to the new leadership.

Present were Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amb. Raychelle Omamo and Principal Secretary Amb. Macharia Kamau.

President Uhuru Kenyatta meeting AU/COMESA election observers on August 13, 2022. /PSCU