President Kenyatta has led Kenyans in welcoming Kenya’s election for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The President termed Kenya’s win as a “demonstration of the country’s growing profile and influence in the community of nations as a steadfast and dependable development partner”.

“Kenya will endeavor to consolidate and voice Africa’s position in the Security Council and will advance its 10-point agenda as outlined during the campaign period”, President Kenyatta said.

Kenya on Thursday beat Djibouti to clinch the last African seat at the United Nations Security Council. The first vote had been held on Wednesday but there was no clear winner, which called for a second round of voting on Thursday.

Backed by the African Union, Kenya garnered 129 votes against Djibouti’s 62, and will join Tunisia and Niger at the Council for two years, 2021-2022.

The Security Council has the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security and has 10 non-permanent members in addition to the veto-wielding Big Five – Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.