Editor's Review

Kenya has refuted reports of throwing support behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE) candidate Lana Nusseibeh for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. 

Kenya has refuted reports of throwing support behind the United Arab Emirates (UAE) candidate Lana Nusseibeh for the position of United Nations Secretary-General. 

In a statement on Tuesday, October 27, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said Kenya had not endorsed any candidate for the top UN post.

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He noted that Kenya is closely monitoring the ongoing campaigns, including interest expressed by new candidates seeking the position.

“Quite to the contrary, Kenya has not expressed support for any candidate at this point. 

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“We are following keenly the ongoing campaigns for UNSG, including the expression of interest by new candidates and are confident that a candidate with the capacity to lead the UN at this critical juncture will not only receive our support but that of the majority of Members of the UN,” he wrote. 

File image of Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi. 

The clarification comes after Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi welcomed Nusseibeh’s candidature for the UN Secretary-General position on behalf of Kenya. 

In a statement on Monday, the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary said Mudavadi welcomed Nusseibeh’s bid, citing her experience in multilateral diplomacy and service in the UN.

“Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E. Dr. Musalia Mudavadi has on behalf of Kenya welcomed Lana Nusseibeh’s candidature for Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN).

“Dr. Mudavadi said her extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy and service within the UN system would serve the Organization well. Prime Cabinet Secretary said Kenya looks forward to working with her to strengthen the partnership with the United Nations and Africa,” Mudavadi’s office stated. 

The term of the current United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set to come to an end on December 31, 2026.

Guterres has been at the helm of the UN since January 1, 2017, when he took over from Ban Ki-moon. 

The UN Secretary-General is appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.

The race for the UN Secretary-General role has attracted 8 candidates so far, including Uganda’s Olara Otunnu. 

Others are: Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, Rebeca Grynspan, Macky Sall, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, Ivonne A-Baki and Lana Nusseibeh.