Kenyans revisit Uhuru's tough warning to Kofi Annan as the world mourns former UN boss

janet ndila

August 18, 2018 4:51 PM

Annan brokered a peace deal between Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki that ended the 2007-2008 post election violence

President Uhuru Kenyatta found himself on a tight spot after a keen Kenyan revisited how President Uhuru Kenyatta made it clear that the statesman was not welcome to Kenya as the country headed into repeat polls last year.

Uhuru made the remarks on 14 October 2017 in Muranga shortly after the opposition coalition led by Raila Odinga withdrew from the repeat polls ordered by the Supreme Court of Kenya.

"Foreigners will not help him because this is our country and we put our foot down...that Kofi Annan or any arbitrator is not welcome to Kenya to broker peace with someone not interested in an election. Kenyan voters will vote."

An online publication quoted the president saying “We have strongly declared that this time Koffi Annan I not coming to Kenya. Koffi Annan you are not welcome to Kenya.”

At the time he made the statement, the NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga had left the country for the United Kingdom.

It is these remarks that were revisited by a section of Kenyans, even as others poured water on the issue, noting that the handshake had settled everything.

Below is how Kenyans responded to the statement.

Annan died in Switzerland on Saturday after a short illness.

janet ndila