Kenya says it has yet to endorse a candidate for UN Secretary-General.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’Oei says Kenya has not backed any contender, despite welcoming Lana Nusseibeh’s candidature.
Kenya has not endorsed any candidate in the UN chief race, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has clarified. His statement follows the government’s public welcome of the United Arab Emirates’ nominee, Lana Nusseibeh.
Sing’Oei said Kenya continues to monitor campaigns by contenders seeking to succeed António Guterres. However, the country has yet to declare support for any of them.
Kenya clarifies position in UN chief race
The clarification follows remarks by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi welcoming Nusseibeh’s candidature. Mudavadi highlighted her experience in multilateral diplomacy and her work within the United Nations system.
He also expressed Kenya’s interest in working with Nusseibeh to strengthen relations between the UN and Africa. His statement welcomed her participation but stopped short of explicitly endorsing her bid.
Sing’Oei said Kenya was also tracking expressions of interest from new contenders. He expressed confidence that a candidate capable of leading the UN at this critical stage would attract broad support. Such a contender, he said, would secure Kenya’s backing and that of most UN members.
The UAE formally nominated Nusseibeh, its Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She previously served as the country’s ambassador to the United Nations.
Security Council polls expose divisions
Guterres’ second five-year term ends on December 31, 2026. The Security Council must recommend his successor before the General Assembly makes the formal appointment.
Meanwhile, informal straw polls within the 15-member Council have highlighted divisions over the contenders. Candidates need sufficient support without opposition from any permanent member to secure a formal recommendation.
The five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. In the latest poll on October 16, all seven candidates received at least one permanent member’s discourage vote.
Sall withdraws as regional preference emerges
Former Senegalese President Macky Sall subsequently withdrew, saying he hoped to help build consensus around another candidate. He cited poll signals favouring someone from Latin America and the Caribbean, potentially a woman.
Alongside Nusseibeh, remaining contenders include Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan, Guyana’s Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Argentina’s Rafael Grossi. Ecuador’s Ivonne A-Baki and María Fernanda Espinosa, alongside Uganda’s Olara Otunnu, also remain in contention.
Although the UN Charter does not require regional rotation, General Assembly Resolution 51/241 calls for consideration of it.
