World news – Embassy 4 – January 2008

US denies part in Kenya’s violence

NAIROBI – A diplomatic row erupted between the US Embassy in Nairobi and the Kenyan government, after it was implied that the US criticism of the December elections had fuelled violence.

US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger reacted by writing to the local paper, The East African Standard, accusing the government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua of “scurrilous propaganda”.

Advertisements apparently placed by Dr Mutua’s office suggest that those who had questioned the results of the December elections were partially responsible for the ensuing violence.

Ambassador Ranneberger denied the accusation, restating his view that the counting of votes had been flawed.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Moses Wetangula, summoned British High Commissioner Adam Wood to seek clarification on a remark made by Britain’s Minister for Africa, Meg Munn, in the House of Commons which suggested that the UK did not recognise President Kibaki as Kenya’s legitimate leader.

The heated exchanges occurred on the eve of the arrival of former UN Chief Kofi Annan who will try to re-start mediation talks between Raila Odinga and the incumbent Mwai Kibaki.

Violent clashes between rival supporters have so far claimed over 600 lives and displaced a further 300,000 people.