The Kenyan government has expressed indifference to comments made by U.S. President Donald Trump describing African states as “shithole countries”.
In its first reaction to the brouhaha, the government’s spokesperson Eric Kiraithe told the media on Thursday that the remark had nothing to do with Kenya and will not affect its relationship with the U.S. government.
“The statement was not an official matter that, say, is related to the relationship with the government. We enjoy a cordial relationship,” he was quoted by local news portal TheEastAfrican.
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He was quick to add that they were “studying the context in which these statements were made to see whether it is worth the attention.”
He further pledged Kenya’s support to the African Union statement condemning Trump’s comment and demanding an apology.
Donald Trump’s statement, which he denied days later, struck a nerve among people of African descent who were yet to come to terms with his policies rejecting migrants from these countries.
Botswana was the first African country to respond to the insult followed by South Africa and the continental body African Union. They demanded a retraction and an apology.
U.S. ambassadors in Nigeria, South Africa and Botswana were also summoned to explain what their president meant.
Despite the anger created by the remark, there was an equal measure of support from Africa by some who believe African leaders have turned their countries into shitholes.
