Kenya wins UN Security Council seat

Kenya on Thursday evening won the Africa seat at the UN Security Council after garnering 129 votes against Djibouti’s 62 votes in the second round of voting.

Some 191 member states voted on Thursday.

In the first round of voting on Wednesday, Kenya had 113 votes against Djibouti’s 78, with 192 out of 193 member states voting. Venezuela was barred from casting its ballot as it is still in arrears for its membership in the UN. However, under the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, countries seeking a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council must garner at least two thirds of the votes to win – in this case Kenya needed at least 128 votes.

India, Mexico, Ireland and Norway were elected earlier on Wednesday.

The victory, after months of lobbying, means Nairobi can, from January 2021, return to the UN’s most powerful organ after 23 years. Kenya will be part of key decision making on global peace and security.

Some of the decisions may include sanctions, authorising use of force to preserve peace as well as electing judges of the International Court of Justice.