This archive report was first published on 19 June 2020.
On June 18, 2020, Kenya won a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) after garnering 129 votes, exceeding the required two-thirds threshold of 128 votes.
Kenya's main rival, Djibouti, secured 62 votes. The UN General Assembly (UNGA) had previously failed to choose between the two countries in the first round, with Kenya receiving 113 votes and Djibouti receiving 78 votes.
Kenya joins Norway, India, Mexico, and Ireland as non-permanent members of the UNSC for a two-year term commencing on January 1, 2021. The country will replace South Africa at the UNSC, marking its return to the seat after a 23-year absence.
Speaking after the win, President Uhuru Kenyatta stated, "Kenya will focus on matters that really matter, which are peace in Somalia, supporting the South Sudanese government, fighting terrorism, and working with regional governments to improve the East African region."
Kenya's involvement in the UNSC will include decisions on sanctions, authorizing the use of force to preserve peace, and presiding over the Council's meetings, providing an opportunity to influence the agenda.
Kenya will join current non-permanent members Estonia, Niger, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tunisia, and Vietnam, replacing exiting council members Belgium, Dominican Republic, Germany, Indonesia, and South Africa.
