Nairobi, Kenya,09/30 - Kenyan authorities Thursday accused some foreign diplomats here of breaching international diplomatic norms by calling for an end to manipulation of state resources and the disregard for Kenya`s electoral code of conduct ahead of the constitutional referendum scheduled 21 November.
The Kenyan Foreign Ministry warned diplomats against taking positions publicly on what it considers as its internal affairs. "My attention has been drawn to a press conference held on 28 September by a section of the diplomatic corps regarding the forthcoming referendum on the new constitution," said Chirau Mwakwere, Kenya`s Foreign minister. Thirty foreign diplomats, including 25-member states of the European Union accredited to Nairobi, on Wednesday condemned electoral violence, and warned against the misuse of public resources in the campaigns. "We condemn the violence witnessed to date. We expect that this is informative, free, transparent and peaceful, that permits the freedom of the press and association," the diplomats said in a joint statement issued Wednesday in Nairobi.
The fresh diplomatic tension, similar to an earlier one adopted by the foreign ministry on issues such as corruption, came as Planning Minister Anyang Nyong`o asked President Mwai Kibaki to avoid abusive language in his campaigns to have the draft constitution endorsed.
Kenyans are preparing for the 21 November national referendum during which some 11 million registered voters are expected to vote for or against the 198-page draft constitution, which has been on the works for 15 years.
"We, the Heads of Missions based in Nairobi, wish to take this opportunity to clarify our position with regard to the Constitutional bill and the forthcoming referendum," said Jim Wall, the Canadian High Commissioner in a statement on behalf the diplomats. Non-EU states including Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Canada and the US also expressed their views on the referendum. Foreign Minister Mwakwere accused the envoys of taking an approach inconsistent with the Vienna Convention, which guides the diplomatic conduct of accredited envoys.
"The ministry wishes to advise that the process of constitution- making is an internal matter for Kenyans to decide. While appreciating the interest of the diplomatic community in this process, it is advisable that views and comments on the matter be conveyed through diplomatic channels as provided for under International law," Mwakwere insisted. The envoys met the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) Chairman Samuel Kivuitu before meeting journalists in Nairobi, saying: "The international community`s role has been to encourage a constitution that commands the support of the clear majority."
But Mwakwere said the diplomatic community should refrain from taking sides publicly on the draft constitution, calling it a "matter of such national importance." However, the donors denied any involvement in Kenya`s internal affairs, and said they were concerned about the process leading to the adoption of the new constitution and adherence to rules of the referendum. "We have made it clear. We do not pronounce ourselves on the contents of the constitution. We have directed our statement on the process leading to the adoption of the constitution and not its contents," said William Bellamy, US ambassador to Kenya
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