President Uhuru Kenyatta has appealed to United Nations Member States to support Kenya’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council during the elections slated for June next year.

Uhuru, who was speaking  at the 74th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Wednesday, said Kenya has been playing a leading role in regional peace and stability in Eastern and the Horn of Africa, and has also for many years contributed troops to UN peacekeeping operations across the world.

The President further acknowledged that countries cannot achieve development without sustainable peace and reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the continued pursuit of peace and stability in the Eastern and Horn of Africa region.

“We have over the years contributed more than 40,000 peacekeepers and engaged in post-conflict reconstruction and development efforts across the world. We, therefore, hope that our experience, our competencies and unrelenting search for peace and prosperity in our neighborhood, on our continent and the wider world, will persuade the entire UN Membership to support the African Union candidate, for the non-permanent seat of the United Nations Security Council during the elections slated for June of 2020. I request for the vote of each and every member of our United Nations family,” President Kenyatta said.

Kenya/ Somalia Maritime Dispute

President Kenyatta also told the UN assembly that his government continues to reach out to the Federal Republic of Somalia for negotiations in an effort to find an amicable and sustainable solution to the maritime boundary dispute. “We remain hopeful that the Federal Government of Somalia will be amenable and committed to the search for a mutually acceptable and sustainable solution to this dispute,” Uhuru said.