Friday January 19, 2018
Kenya has joined the African Union in demanding an apology from Donald Trump following reports that he termed some countries shitholes.
The AU said the US president should withdraw the remarks and apologise to Africans. The union noted a "huge misunderstanding" of the African continent and its people by the current administration.
Trump denied that he used this language while discussing immigrants from Haiti and African nations.
Government spokesman Eric Kiraithe issued a statement on Thursday following reports that he said Kenya did not have a problem with the US leader's alleged remarks.
"Of course we align ourselves with the positions expressed by the AU but we are studying the context to see whether it is worth the attention the media has been giving it."
Kiraithe said the remarks were "extremely upsetting" but noted that it was not an official matter.
"It was not an official matter directly related to our relationship between Kenya and America. We enjoy very cordial relationship with the government of America."
Earlier, former US Ambassadors to African countries wrote to Trump expressing their anger over the remarks.
The 48 ambassadors asked him to reassess his views on Africa and it's citizens, and recognise the important contributions Africans and African Americans have made and continue to make to the United States' history.