This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
December 29, 2017
President Uhuru Kenyatta's congratulatory message to Liberia's new president, George Weah, has attracted interesting responses on Twitter.
On December 28, 2017, President Kenyatta tweeted, 'President-elect Weah's victory is a triumph of democracy. Kenya will stand with Liberia, for we believe that Pan-African cooperation will win every African the prosperity and freedom they deserve. I look forward to working with President Weah in the service of those ideals.'
However, the president's remarks have been met with skepticism, particularly given the ongoing legitimacy questions surrounding his own presidency following the highly contested August 8, 2017, elections in Kenya.
One Twitter user, Alex Mulwa, responded, 'Stop insulting that word. Democracy is when you will step down and give the majority of Kenyans the right to swear in their president.'
Despite the backlash, the president had the support of a few supporters, with one user writing, 'That's my President talking. Wenye wanaongea mbaya watafute kenya yao.'
The August 8th, 2017, elections have left Kenya at a standstill, with deep divisions still unresolved. President Kenyatta's administration continues to face criticism for its handling of the situation.
