- U.S.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (R) speaks with Chief Justice Willy
Mutunga at the Supreme Court of Kenya, in Nairobi, Kenya, August 4,
2012. Clinton urged Kenya on Saturday to hold free and fair elections
and be a role model for Africa, underlining the need to avoid the
bloodshed suffered during the last vote five years ago. The general
election next March will be the first since a disputed poll in 2007 that
set off a politically based ethnic slaughter in which more than 1,200
people were killed. REUTERS/Jacquelyn Martin/Pool (KENYA - Tags:
POLITICS)
Remarks Following a Meeting With Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Judiciary
Nairobi, Kenya
August 4, 2012
I
want to thank the Justice for receiving me today. I greatly appreciate
the opportunity to discuss with him the progress of the constitutional
reform. When the people of Kenya adopted your new constitution, the
judiciary was given significant responsibilities, and I am very pleased
to hear the progress that is being made. However, I am well aware that
there are many issues yet to be decided and many laws to be passed
(inaudible).
I discussed with the Chief Justice the upcoming
elections next year, which will be so consequential for Kenya. And the
United States has pledged to assist the Government and people of Kenya
in ensuring that the upcoming elections are free, fair, and transparent,
which is the very gift that the people of Kenya gave themselves by
passing that new constitution. And we urge that the nation come together
and prepare for elections that will be a real model for the entire
world.
And again, I thank the Chief Justice for the important role
that you and your team are playing. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank
you.
