The African Union (AU), today through a popular member vote, endorsed Kenya for a non-permanent membership to the United Nations’ Security Council.
Kenya defeated Djibouti by a wide margin after garnering 37 votes against their rival who garnered 13 votes. The voting activity was in its second round. In the first exercise, Nairobi accessed the support of 35 countries with Djibouti City gathering the confidence of 15 countries. The first round had two AU members abstaining.
Lack of a two-thirds majority win, for Kenya, in the first round justified the need for a second-round vote.
The result puts Kenya on a firm path of gaining membership to the crucial Security Council organ as Africa’s representative.
However, Kenya still needs to realize a two-thirds majority win during the final voting round due in June next year, to be held in New York.
