Editor's Review

The Kenyan government was concerned it could be mistaken it was supporting rebels in the DRC.

Nairobi has sought to distance itself from a group deemed nefarious which released a statement declaring support for the rebel groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Ministry under Musalia Mudavadi said on Sunday, December 17, that by virtue of the presser by the group being held in Kenya's capital, concerned quarters might mistake the Kenyan government for supporting the group's undertakings.

"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya refers to press reports that some nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo claiming association with rebel groups within DRC addressed a press conference in Nairobi," partly read a communique from Mudavadi's office.

The Ministry clarified that the individuals leveraged Kenya's freedom of expression and association with the press.

It however did not mean they had the blessing of the Kenyan government.

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"The Ministry wishes to note that Kenya is an open and democratic state where freedom of the press is vouchsafed. As such, nationals and non-nationals may engage the Kenyan media without reference to the government.

Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC," the statement from the Ministry went on.

Kenya's Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan government was partnering with DRC in investigations and efforts to determine the identities of those behind the press briefing.

Mudavadi's docket underscored Kenya's non-involvement in the internal affairs of DRC, but committed to continue supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the mineral-rich and second-largest country in Africa.

President William Ruto of Kenya is on record lauding the progress toward a ceasefire made so far between Kinshasa and the M23 rebels.

The conflict between the DRC troops and M23 men saw the displacement of people and sexual offences perpetrated on women and children.

The United States initially held that Rwanda under President Paul Kagamae was backing the rebels.

Kenya's retired president Uhuru Kenyatta has been at the centre of the initiative and efforts to realise a truce.