British High Commissioner Christian Turner has turned to Twitter to fight allegations of interference in the Kenyan electoral process, which included suggestions the UK had even increased troop numbers in the country.
Turner has used Twitter to distance himself from the allegations, calling the claims of interference by Britain as both misleading and false.
Claims of interference “false & misleading”, #calm #waitnothate : response at tl.gd/l7u7mn
— Christian Turner (@HCCTurner) March 6, 2013
Earlier the high commissioner had posted a tweet responding to one accusation regarding the inclusion of rejected votes, saying the UK had no position on the rejected votes, which have soared beyond six per cent.
Not true that UK has position/view on rejected votes; that is decision for Kenyans & if necessary Supreme Court #impartial #wait-not-hate
— Christian Turner (@HCCTurner) March 6, 2013
This was one of the many Tweets from Turner denying the allegations, having earlier disputed suggestions international observers were interfering with the elections.
Unhelpful (& wrong) claims of international observers interference in election. Observers observing #Kenyanchoice#wait-not-hate
— Christian Turner (@HCCTurner) March 6, 2013
The UK embassy in Kenya has also issued a statement on social media denying any interference.
FCO Press Release: Foreign Office spokesperson statement on Kenyan elections (cont) tl.gd/l7u7mn
— UKinKenya (@UKinKenya) March 6, 2013
The UK Telegraph carried astory earlier today reporting candidate Uhuru Kenyatta had accused the British envoy of a ‘shadowy, suspicious’ role in the Kenyan election.
Kenyans have also added their voice to the allegations, with many asking the UK to stay out of Kenyan matters.
The British have genuinely promised to let us make our own decisions.Let’s take them by their word and keep watch of the future #KEpolls2013
— Chris Kirubi (@CKirubi) March 6, 2013
Kenyatta’s Jubilee Coalition has been a collision course with the UK and the EU since the pair said the economic bloc would deal with Kenya differently – “maintaining necessary contact” – if Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto, who are set to face trial before the International Criminal Court, won the election.
