By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive on Juma
UNITED NATIONS, September 1 – In Kenya, the dubious August 8 electoral results have been shown out by the Supreme Court, because the "Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission" IEBC) “failed, neglected or refused to conduct the presidential election in a manner consistent with the dictates of the constitution."
At the UN, Secretary General Antonio Guterres has very quickly congratulated August 8 "winner" Uhuru Kenyatta; since then Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric has dodged and then refused Inner City Press' questions. Why did the UN allow Roselyn Akombe to go work for the IEBC, while keeping a "lien" against her UN job?
Now that the IEBC has been exposed, does she just quickly come back? Does the UN's stealth higher job offer to the Kenyan government's Monica Juma, which Inner City Press first reported, still stand? Will Kenyatta still come speak at the UN General Assembly high level week on September 20, scheduled as put online by the Free UN Coalition for Access (also cracked down on by the UN), here?
What of the cravenly pro-Kenyatta work of UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Siddharth Chatterjee, the son in law of former Secretary General Ban Ki-moon whom Ban gave the job without any recusal? When Inner City Press asked its questions, Chatterjee blocked Inner City Press on Twitter and UN Headquarters said that' fine. The UN has become a place of censorship for corruption. We'll have more on this. After the murder of Kenyan electoral official Chris Msando, Inner City Press on August 1 put the question at the UN to Secretary General Antonio Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here and below. Now on August 28, Inner City Press asked three UN spokespeople this: "In Kenya, it is reported that more than a dozen opposition supporters were killed in Kisumu. What is the Secretary General's, or UN Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee's, comment and action on this?" Hours after submission - the Spokesman canceled the noon briefing - while one line responses were offered to two other question, there was nothing on this, nothing at all. This is today's UN. After Kenya moved to de-register a second human rights group, Inner City Press asked lead UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric on August 15, UN transcript here and below. Inner City Press has learned, and exclusively reports, that Kenya(tta) foreign ministry official Monica Juma has been offered a top job in Jeffrey Feltman's UN Department of Political Affairs, to replace Taye-Brook Zerihoun. She was granted six months to "sit" on the job, to help Kenya(tta), as one source put it to Inner City Press. On August 24, Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: Jeffrey Feltman, being in Somalia... they’re tweeting pictures of him with Farmajo. But what I wanted to know is, given that he’s so close to Kenya and… is he… where else has he gone on this trip? I was unaware that he was there. And can we get some kind of a readout of this trip and whether or not it will include Kenya and… Kenya, if you have any update as more and more people are saying that the results that were put online don’t line up with what was announced and what the Secretary-General congratulated. Is there any updated statement by the UN? Spokesman: "Not, not from us here. There’s a calendar which is playing itself out and there are institutions that are at work on this. And I’ll see what I can get you on Mr. Feltman." Which was, seven hour later, nothing. On August 21 Inner City Press asked UN Spokesman Stephane Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: on Kenya and the election, it seems like more and more questions are being raised about the, the validity of the results that were announced. And there’ve been at least two UN things I wanted to ask you about. One is that the former Special Rapporteur, Maina Kiai, was detained at the airport when he sought to leave the country, and also Roselyn Akombe, as, as you know… I guess I wanted to… there’s been a lot of coverage there about when does she intend… she took a leave of absence to work on that commission. She left the country saying she was coming to New York for meetings. Did she meet anyone in the UN? When’s her expected time to return to UN service…
Spokesman: We’ve given you some updates on her status in January, if I, if I recall. I’m not aware of any, of any updates, and I’m not aware of any meetings she may, she may have had here.
Inner City Press: And does the UN have, I guess… you know, it’s a Special Rapporteur, which I understand is an independent UN position, but what do you say about a…
Spokesman: I’ll check.
Inner City Press: …human rights defender being detained?
Spokesman: I’ll check on that situation.
Spokesman: We’ve given you some updates on her status in January, if I, if I recall. I’m not aware of any, of any updates, and I’m not aware of any meetings she may, she may have had here.
Inner City Press: And does the UN have, I guess… you know, it’s a Special Rapporteur, which I understand is an independent UN position, but what do you say about a…
Spokesman: I’ll check.
Inner City Press: …human rights defender being detained?
Spokesman: I’ll check on that situation.
Five hours later, nothing. Now the dismissive or vague position of today's UN to press freedom is further exemplified by silence on the reported detention at gunpoint of blogger Robert Alai, here. The UN's resident coordinator in Kenya has for example blocked the critical Press on Twitter; UN Spokesman Farhan Haq on August 19 had no specific comment when Inner City Press asked about detentions by Morocco of citizen journalists reporting on the crackdown in Rif. (Lead UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric evicted Inner City Press and still restricts it, for its coverage in the Press Briefing Room of the UN bribery case against now-conficted Ng Lap Seng.) The UN is losing its way, including in Kenya. On August 18, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: In Kenya, now the EU has called for the making public of the local results. There seems to be more and more question about the way they were conveyed, and a lot of international actors that don't have as big a presence in Nairobi as the UN does have called for this type of data to be produced. I wanted to know what is the UN's… he's already… the Secretary-General's already, you know, congratulated and apparently, called the results final, President Kenyatta, but what is the UN's… does the UN join these calls for the release of those data, or what's their position?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, our position has been that any complaints need to be worked out through the established system. Apparently, there are signs from the various parties that that is what's going on and we will monitor that process as it continues.
Inner City Press: And I wanted to ask. I became aware yesterday that… that… and I would like you to confirm that the DPA position currently held by Tayé-Brook Zerihoun has been offered to a Monica Juma, who is a Kenyan Government official in the Foreign Ministry, and I would like to know… apparently, the position was given to her, and she was given six months to take it or not so that this process would take place.
What is the, what is the status of that second highest position in DPA currently, and why wasn't it advertised?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, at this, at this point, as you know, Mr. Zerihoun has the post. When there's another appointment to be made, we'll announce that, but we have not made another announcement.
Inner City Press: But why wouldn't a position of that height be, be advertised for people to apply?
Deputy Spokesman: We have processes that, that apply to all of the various high positions. I believe we have competitive processes, including interview processes, for, for all of the senior position, and we'll make the announcement when it happens. I wouldn't have any confirmation of how this process was carried about, but, and at this stage, like I said, I don't have an announcement for Mr. Zerihoun, even for any departure. Once we have that announcement, we'll, we'll make that.
Deputy Spokesman: Well, our position has been that any complaints need to be worked out through the established system. Apparently, there are signs from the various parties that that is what's going on and we will monitor that process as it continues.
Inner City Press: And I wanted to ask. I became aware yesterday that… that… and I would like you to confirm that the DPA position currently held by Tayé-Brook Zerihoun has been offered to a Monica Juma, who is a Kenyan Government official in the Foreign Ministry, and I would like to know… apparently, the position was given to her, and she was given six months to take it or not so that this process would take place.
What is the, what is the status of that second highest position in DPA currently, and why wasn't it advertised?
Deputy Spokesman: Well, at this, at this point, as you know, Mr. Zerihoun has the post. When there's another appointment to be made, we'll announce that, but we have not made another announcement.
Inner City Press: But why wouldn't a position of that height be, be advertised for people to apply?
Deputy Spokesman: We have processes that, that apply to all of the various high positions. I believe we have competitive processes, including interview processes, for, for all of the senior position, and we'll make the announcement when it happens. I wouldn't have any confirmation of how this process was carried about, but, and at this stage, like I said, I don't have an announcement for Mr. Zerihoun, even for any departure. Once we have that announcement, we'll, we'll make that.
On August 17, amid lack of transparency about the detention and itinerary of a UN official on leave, Inner City Press asked UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: as you may know in Kenya, the former or future DPA (Department of Political Affairs) employee Roselyn Akombe, who has given a leave of absence to work on the Electoral Commission there, attempted to leave the country and was detained at the airport. It’s now said that she’s come to New York for meetings. So, I wanted to know two things. Number one, is she having any meeting with the UN, since you said she’s coming to New York on official business? Number two, when she was given this leave of absence — it’s become quite controversial. As you know, the commission is getting sued for being not less than impartial — did the Ethics Office look at this granting of a leave of absence? What’s her current status with the UN? And, also, it’s come up because she appealed to the US embassy there. For purposes of UN, is she from Kenya or from the United States?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t have any comment on her nationality. I don’t comment on the nationality of staff members. But… [inaudible]
Question: Given that the person was detained and… okay.
Deputy Spokesman: But I am aware that she was on a leave of absence. At some point, I believe, fairly soon, it will be expiring and then she will return to her duties in the Department of Political Affairs.
Question: So she has no contacts in the UN during this week? Because it’s a big story in Kenya that she’s come to New York and she says she coming to New York for work related to the election. So, I guess my question to you is, does this New York visit have any UN connection?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t comment on her work until she’s re-joined the United Nations. She’s not… at the time that she’s on leave, she is a separate individual. Ms. Akombe, at some point, will re-join the Department of Political Affairs, and then she’ll be a UN staffer.
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t have any comment on her nationality. I don’t comment on the nationality of staff members. But… [inaudible]
Question: Given that the person was detained and… okay.
Deputy Spokesman: But I am aware that she was on a leave of absence. At some point, I believe, fairly soon, it will be expiring and then she will return to her duties in the Department of Political Affairs.
Question: So she has no contacts in the UN during this week? Because it’s a big story in Kenya that she’s come to New York and she says she coming to New York for work related to the election. So, I guess my question to you is, does this New York visit have any UN connection?
Deputy Spokesman: I wouldn’t comment on her work until she’s re-joined the United Nations. She’s not… at the time that she’s on leave, she is a separate individual. Ms. Akombe, at some point, will re-join the Department of Political Affairs, and then she’ll be a UN staffer.
We'll have more on this - and on Juma. From August 15: Inner City Press: there've now been more than one NGO shut down at this period of time in which they could be filing petitions. And there's many more… there are doubts whether… whether substantive or not, about how the results were transmitted. So, beyond this Kenya National Human Rights Commission, something called Africog [phonetic] has also been suddenly deregistered by the… by the authorities. That would be the winning candidate or the said to be winning candidate. So, I just wanted to know, what… the country team there, what do they think of the closing down of the NGOs in the country during…
Spokesman: I don't have enough information on these particular NGOs. You can contact the country team directly. I know you're been in contact with them. What is clear for us is that there are constitutional means that need to be respected as part of the election for any appeals and, obviously, echo the High Commissioner's call for restraint and for peaceful… for supporting the right of people to demonstrate peacefully but a call for calm and restraint.
Spokesman: I don't have enough information on these particular NGOs. You can contact the country team directly. I know you're been in contact with them. What is clear for us is that there are constitutional means that need to be respected as part of the election for any appeals and, obviously, echo the High Commissioner's call for restraint and for peaceful… for supporting the right of people to demonstrate peacefully but a call for calm and restraint.
On August 14, Inner City Press asked Dujarric's deputy Farhan Haq, video here, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: there were these two different statements, one about provisional results, then final results, but, in the country, one, how many people does the UN believe have been killed in post-election violence? What's the UN's reaction to Raila Odinga asking for the UN to play some role in looking into fraud he says he's going to announce tomorrow, Tuesday? And there's a group called the Kenya Human Rights Commission, which has been deregistered just before filing a petition concerning the election. Does the UN believe that the current legal structures, especially if you have petitioners deregistered moments before filing, is a credible one? What does the UN, given its presence in Nairobi, think about the deaths and this deregistration?
Deputy Spokesman: Obviously, we're concerned about any violence. As I just mentioned, what we've been doing, including through the Secretary-General, is calling on all political leaders to send clear messages to their supporters urging them to refrain from violence, and that's a key part of this process. You're aware of our concerns in other previous elections, presidential elections in Kenya, and those concerns continue to apply. Regarding Mr. Odinga's request, obviously, we'll wait to see what he has to say tomorrow and monitor that, but I would point out, as I just said, that the Secretary-General called on political leaders disputing the election results to address election-related disputes through the relevant constitutionally mandated institutions, and that is where we stand on that.
Deputy Spokesman: Obviously, we're concerned about any violence. As I just mentioned, what we've been doing, including through the Secretary-General, is calling on all political leaders to send clear messages to their supporters urging them to refrain from violence, and that's a key part of this process. You're aware of our concerns in other previous elections, presidential elections in Kenya, and those concerns continue to apply. Regarding Mr. Odinga's request, obviously, we'll wait to see what he has to say tomorrow and monitor that, but I would point out, as I just said, that the Secretary-General called on political leaders disputing the election results to address election-related disputes through the relevant constitutionally mandated institutions, and that is where we stand on that.
On August 7, Inner City Press asked Dujarric about the deportation of two of Raila Odinga's consultants, American John Phillips, chief executive of political consultancy Aristotle, and Canadian Andreas Katsouris. Dujarric replied with generalities; Inner City Press asked, so the deportations are bad? There was no clear answer. Now this: on August 10 Inner City Press asked Dujarric, UN transcript here: Inner City Press: In Kenya, Raila Odinga, the candidate, has said that there's been hacking of the system, but the President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza, has offered his congratulations. What's the UN's view? One, do they think that the rule-of-law process to review is being conducted, is that process over?
Spokesman: No, I, as far as I know, the, the official election results have yet to be announced. We're, obviously, watching the situation unfold. We're watching it closely. As you know, the UN did not observe, did not have a role in observing the, the elections. I think what's important is that all stakeholders, all people in Kenya, allow the process to follow its course and, if they have any grievances, that they channel those through legal and peaceful means. We reiterate the call of the Secretary-General for maintaining calm and ensuring strict respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in this time while people await, and understandably await eagerly, the official results. From the August 1 transcript: Inner City Press: in the run up to the elections in Kenya, the head of the electronic voting, Chris Msando, has been murdered and I wanted to know, what is the UN… various countries have expressed concern, offered to send investigators, has the resident coordinator or anyone in the UN system, what do they think of this murder?
Spokesman: Obviously, I think it’s, the fact that a member of the electoral commission was murdered, in what appears to be such a gruesome way, is shocking and can only be condemned. We hope that the perpetrators are found and brought to justice. I think Kenya is entering a very, obviously a very delicate period with the upcoming elections, and we would not want to see any increase or violence or disturbance.
Inner City Press: Can you say what the UN's role, does it have any role? I know that there was somebody who used to work at DPA [Department of Political Affairs] who is now working on the elections as a Kenyan national, but is there a UN role?
Spokesman: I can check. I'm not aware of any role, but I'm happy to check.
Spokesman: No, I, as far as I know, the, the official election results have yet to be announced. We're, obviously, watching the situation unfold. We're watching it closely. As you know, the UN did not observe, did not have a role in observing the, the elections. I think what's important is that all stakeholders, all people in Kenya, allow the process to follow its course and, if they have any grievances, that they channel those through legal and peaceful means. We reiterate the call of the Secretary-General for maintaining calm and ensuring strict respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially in this time while people await, and understandably await eagerly, the official results. From the August 1 transcript: Inner City Press: in the run up to the elections in Kenya, the head of the electronic voting, Chris Msando, has been murdered and I wanted to know, what is the UN… various countries have expressed concern, offered to send investigators, has the resident coordinator or anyone in the UN system, what do they think of this murder?
Spokesman: Obviously, I think it’s, the fact that a member of the electoral commission was murdered, in what appears to be such a gruesome way, is shocking and can only be condemned. We hope that the perpetrators are found and brought to justice. I think Kenya is entering a very, obviously a very delicate period with the upcoming elections, and we would not want to see any increase or violence or disturbance.
Inner City Press: Can you say what the UN's role, does it have any role? I know that there was somebody who used to work at DPA [Department of Political Affairs] who is now working on the elections as a Kenyan national, but is there a UN role?
Spokesman: I can check. I'm not aware of any role, but I'm happy to check.
Twenty three hours later, nothing.
