Published by the government of Zimbabwe
14 December 2008
Harare — KENYA remains opposed to Western military aggression against Zimbabwe, the country's ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr John Abduba, has said.
In an interview last Friday at a reception to mark Kenya's 45th independence anniversary, Mr Abduba said although he could not comment on statements made by the country's opposition leader, Mr Raila Odinga, calling for an invasion of Zimbabwe, Kenya stood by the statement issued by its Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Kenyan Foreign Minister, Mr Moses Wetangula told a Press conference in Nairobi that Odinga's calls for the deployment of African Union peacekeepers was "uncalled for" as Zimbabwe was not under invasion or armed rebellion. He said Kenya would stand by Sadc's mediation and that AU statutes do not provide for intervention in sovereign states, adding that the AU did not have the mandate or its own reserve of troops for such intervention and would need to ask member states to "donate" troops.
The AU and Sadc have since dismissed the calls.
Mr Abduba said Kenya also supported Sadc and AU efforts to push for an inclusive government in Zimbabwe.
The ambassador also thanked the AU for helping Kenya overcome the difficulties it faced after last December's election as the country was now enjoying peace and development.
"We are cognisant that the impasse in Zimbabwe will only be resolved by Zimbabweans with the help of Sadc and the AU. The problems in Zimbabwe do not warrant military intervention. Zimbabwe has cholera and that cannot be resolved by military intervention, but through aid.
"We are happy that we are celebrating the 45th anniversary of Kenya's independence in peace despite the problems that rocked the country earlier in the year. Zimbabwe and the African community helped us achieve the peace and development that we are enjoying now. Kenyans are happy and the government of national unity is working," he said.
Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Cde Reuben Marumahoko said Zimbabwe was not worried by Odinga's outbursts as they reflected his personal opinion and not the position of the Kenyan government.
"We will always be guided by the official statements from Kenya's Foreign Affairs Ministry. Mr Odinga is not the head of government and we do not wish Kenya bad," he said."If those statements had come from President Mwai Kibaki, Zimbabwe would have been worried. The Kenyan government supports efforts to bring about a political settlement in the country," he said.
He said Zimbabwe was watching with keen interest the elections in Ghana, as they resembled those that took place in Zimbabwe earlier this year.
Ghana's opposition won the parliamentary elections but there was no winner in the presidential race, necessitating a run-off set for the end of this month.
Cde Marumahoko said the Second Chimurenga had been greatly influenced by the Mau Mau in Kenya, hence Government would always cherish its relations with Kenya.
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