Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed the Africa Forward Summit held in Nairobi with France, arguing that Kenya’s selection as host nation was influenced by political divisions among Francophone African countries rather than the country’s democratic credentials.
Speaking during a church service at Seed of Hope Church in Donholm, Nairobi, the Wiper Patriotic Front leader urged President William Ruto not to “chest-thump” over the summit, which brought together African heads of state, among them France’s Emmanuel Macron.
Kalonzo claimed that Kenya’s image abroad does not reflect the realities faced by ordinary citizens, citing alleged injustices, suppression of dissent, and human rights concerns.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Democracy and Human Rights
According to Kalonzo, Kenya cannot present itself as a model democracy while concerns persist over freedom of expression, worship, and political tolerance.
“There is a lot of realignment in West Africa, and that is how they convinced Ruto to host the event in Kenya,” Kalonzo said.
He further argued that the traditional Africa-France engagements have historically been dominated by Francophone nations, suggesting that Kenya’s opportunity emerged from ongoing divisions within that bloc.
“While Kenya is a nation under stress, there are a lot of injustices while we pretend we respect democracy,” he added.
His remarks come amid growing political debate over the high-profile summit in Nairobi.
The Africa Forward Summit has attracted both international attention and local political scrutiny as leaders gathered in Nairobi for discussions on Africa’s economic future.
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