Kenyans react to Uhuru’s congratulatory message to Museveni
Kenyans on social media have roundly criticized President Uhuru Kenyatta for his congratulatory message to Ugandan President elect Yoweri Museveni on Saturday evening.
President Kenyatta posted the congratulatory note on his official Facebook page hours after Uganda’s Electoral Commission announced Museveni, 71, as the winner of the polls, with more than 60 percent of the counted votes.
“The people of Uganda have spoken, and they have spoken very clearly. We respect their choice of President,” President Kenyatta wrote.
What seemed to irk social media users is that President Kenyatta’s message came through regardless of the irregularities that marred Museveni’so re-elections including reports of rigging, intimidation and state clamp down on movement and communication.
Ongwae Marco Andrea wrote: “It took you a week to congratulate President Magufuli and now you are congratulating Museveni in less than seven hours.”
Gangha Bhishima posted: “You have a right to congratulate him, but not in the name of Kenya. Kenyans have better democratic values. We are a country of free people and never detains political opponents.”
FIVE-YEAR TERM
“I regret on behalf of people of Kenya.The views Kenyatta has expressed here are personal and do not reflect wishes of Kenyans. We stand with our brothers in Uganda this trying moments of their democracy when election is rigged and people intimidated (sic),” Makapia Abdalla opined.
Yoel Yino commented: “As an Eritrean and East African, I am so proud today. You know why? Because of the comments I am reading here. Mr Kenyatta, Africans are changing. We r here telling u that We r ashamed of your reaction to the Ugandian election. Even though, all of us r not Ugandans, but we r Africans. And it’s painful wat is happening in Uganda and most African countries. Most of the leaders r over 70 years. And they r in power for more than 20 years. Shameful! Let us all of us Unite and reject dictatorship all over Africa. God bless Africa.”
Frank Juma said: “Shame! With all other presidential contenders under house arrests and u say the pple of Uganda have spoken! Such acts only serve to discredit election process and their outcomes n stalking of violence. It is Museveni & his EC spoken and not the Ugandan voters (sic).”
But there also a few who agreed with President Museveni include Wycliffe Lusimba who simply wrote: “Thank you Mr President while Robert Mutahi said: ” Thank you Mr President, you represent us all who believe in a free Africa. I congratulate the people of Uganda for making this very wise decision. Congratulations President Yower Museveni. Long live Uganda,”
Following his re-election, Museveni now gets to extend his three decade rule in Uganda by a further five years.