03 Nov 2014

Kenya is vying for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UN SC) for a two-year term from 2017 to 2018.

Kenya High Commissioner to Botswana, Ms Jean Kimani said in interview that Kenya was vying for UN Security Council seat and hoped that her country would get enough support in the coming UNSC elections, which will be held at the 71^st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in the autumn of 2016. 

Ms Kimani said Kenya became a member of the United Nations in December 16, 1963 and since then Kenya had been a consistent and committed contributor to the UN, both in budgetary terms as well as to the substance of the work of the UN.

The High Commissioner said Kenya was committed to continuing to play a constructive role in all issues on the UN agenda and attaches special importance to undertaking active duties and responsibilities within UN system.

She said due to its strong support for the ideals and objectives of the UN, Kenya has consistently pursued efforts to strengthen its capital as a centre for multilateralism and said today, Nairobi which is the country’s capital is the host of the UN headquarters in Africa, and hosts a vibrant community of several UN agencies that include; the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) among others.

Ms Kimani said her country hosted a number of international organisation’s agencies based in Nairobi such as FAO, IFAD,WHO,UNESCO, UNICEF, UNAIDS and World Bank just to mention a few and said this testify how Kenya recognises the critical role of the UN Security Council in the maintenance of global peace and stability.

She said Kenya had already served twice as a non-permanent member of UN Security Council (UNSC) in 1973 to 1974 and in 1997 to 1998 and during its tenure, Kenya’s participation in the work of the Security Council was guided by a core set of principles, among them, pacific settlement of disputes; non-interference in the internal affairs of other nations and upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations. 

Regarding promotion of peace and stability in the region, she said Kenya has continued to play a leading role in peace, security and conflict management in the horn of Africa region both individually as a State and also within the frameworks of regional Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the East African Community (EAC).

She said at the African Union, her country was a founder member of the AU Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), the organ in charge of enforcing the AU’s decisions and served two terms from 2007-2010 and 2010-2013.

Ms Kimani said during its period of service, Kenya played an active role in its programmes, undertakings and decisions and it was when Kenya was a member of AU PSC when in January 2012, the UN Security Council committed to taking “effective steps” to enhance the relationship between the UN and the regional and sub-regional organisations, particularly the AU, reiterating the importance of establishing a more effective relationship between it and the African Union Peace and Security Council.  ENDS