Rex Tillerson faults Uhuru’s administration

janet ndila

March 10, 2018 7:58 AM

Visiting US Secretary of State expresses serious concerns

The visiting US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has faulted the Jubilee administration for its various actions that are a threat to democracy ad good governance.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi at the start of his 3-day state visit, Tillerson noted that Kenya had some work to do.

“There are actions that need to be taken in Kenya and that they need to correct certain actions like shutting down independent TV stations and threatening the independence of the courts," Tilleerson said.

January 30 saw the government shut down leading television stations KTN, NTV and Citizen TV that were broadcasting Raila Odinga’s ‘swearing in’.

Supreme Court judges were also reportedly threatened during a petition challenging President Kenyatta’s reelection.

He added that he knows that “Kenya takes these matters seriously. A free and independent media is essential for safeguarding democracy and giving all Kenyans confidence in their government."

The visiting Secretary also lauded the surprise truce between opposition chief Raila Odinga and President Uhuru Kenyatta terming it a major milestone for national unity.

His visit is the first by a high profile representative of the US after the hotly contested presidential elections and the repeat polls conducted last year.

janet ndila