adminFreeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe will continue to stand by Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in the case in which he is charged by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity, Government has said.President Kenyatta has been charged in relation to the 2008 political violence in Kenya when 1 200 people died and thousands others were driven from their homes. He denies the charges and the African Union has taken the position that the continent will not support prosecution and persecution of sitting Heads of State and Government.
President Kenyatta was not a candidate in those contentious elections. Speaking at Kenya’s 50th Jubilee Celebrations in Harare yesterday, Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa said: “We will stand by our brothers because we cannot have selective justice targeted at African leaders and Africans only.”
Ambassador Mutsvangwa said the two countries had a cordial relationship and both had fought off British colonialism. He applauded President Kenyatta’s election victory in March last year, saying the people of Kenya had spoken with one voice in their opposition to foreign meddling in their affairs.
“This shows an Africa which is mature, which can say no,” Ambassador Mutsvangwa said.
Kenya’s top diplomat to Zimbabwe, Ambassador Josephine V. Awour said Nairobi and Harare’s strong ties dated back to 1980.
“The two countries signed the Joint Commission Council on Cultural, Scientific and Technical Co-operation. The commission has since held successful meetings in both capitals, to deliberate on areas of mutual benefit.
“There is, however, room to deepen, further our relations,” she said.
Ambassador Awour said Kenya’s independence 50 years ago following a long and bloody struggle reminded both countries of their triumphs and the need to map a better future.
Online Reporter