Kenya finally takes its position at the UN Security Council
Kenya last evening took up its position at the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member, six months after it won the seat.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Kenya was ready to hoist its flag at the UN headquarters in New York at 8pm Kenyan time, which will mark the beginning of its two-year term
“Ready to go...Soon the #Kenya flag will be hoisted outside the #UNSCChamber, 23 years since we last served.
The traditional official flag installation ceremony for incoming members will be held on January 4 2021,” read the statement posted on its official twitter account.
Foreign affairs cabinet secretary Raychelle Omamo said by Kenya securing the said seat illustrates its expanding influence on the stage.
“Kenya will not only be a safe pair of hands at the council but is also prepared, determined an motivated to deliver on its promise as a UNSC non permanent member for the 2021-2022 term,” she said.
By securing the seat this means that Kenya will now be able to take part take part in key decisions making touching on global peace and security.
Some of those decisions, Kenya may be involved, may include sanctions, authorising use of force to preserve peace as well as electing judges of the International Court of Justice.
Permanent members
Working alongside the five permanent members with veto powers (Russia, UK, US, China and France), Kenya will join nine other non-permanent members and could get a chance to preside over the Council’s sittings, an influential opportunity to influence agenda
The move comes after in June last year, Kenya won the UN Security Council seat after beating Djibouti in second round of voting .
The contest between Kenya and Djibouti headed to the second round of voting after the first phase saw Nairobi’s victory insufficient to win the UN seat.
With 191 of 193 countries voting, Kenya scored 129 votes, beating Djibouti, which got 62 votes.
Under the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, candidates seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council must garner at least two thirds of the voting member states.
President Uhuru Kenyatta welcomed the win saying this was a demonstration of the country’s growing profile and influence in the community of nations.
