The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has strongly criticized Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka for his recent remarks questioning President William Ruto’s role in mediating the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ruto, who chairs the East African Community (EAC), has been actively engaging regional leaders to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
Last week, the EAC called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the Congolese government to engage with all stakeholders, including the M23 rebel group, which recently captured Goma city and has been advancing southward. Despite these efforts, Musyoka, during a public event in Kilome, Makueni County, dismissed Ruto’s mediation, accusing him of undermining retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s previous role as the EAC’s peace envoy.
“When Ruto took over, the mistake he made was removing Uhuru Kenyatta as the chief mediator. He refused to facilitate him, and the whole process shifted to Angola. How does Ruto think he can solve the DRC crisis yet he has failed in Kenya?” Musyoka, a former vice president, stated on Saturday.
In a sharp rebuttal, the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Wednesday described Musyoka’s comments as “regrettable and reckless,” particularly coming from a former Foreign Affairs Minister. The ministry emphasized that the DRC crisis is a complex, long-standing issue that predates Ruto’s leadership and is unrelated to Kenya’s internal affairs.
“The crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has nothing to do with Kenya or its leadership. We do not share borders nor do we have any interest in DRC other than peace, stability, and prosperity for its people,” the ministry stated.
The ministry further noted that the DRC conflict has deep historical roots, with regional leaders attempting to resolve it since the 1960s. It criticized Musyoka for attempting to politicize the issue, stating, “Kalonzo’s attempt to link President Ruto with the issues in DRC is not only an overstretch of his political witch hunt but also reckless, especially for a leader who once served as Foreign Affairs Minister and should understand the dynamics of the DRC crisis.”
The exchange highlights the political tensions surrounding Kenya’s role in regional peacekeeping efforts and underscores the complexities of addressing the DRC’s protracted conflict. As President Ruto continues his mediation efforts, the focus remains on fostering dialogue and stability in the region.
