KENYA SEEKS US SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001362 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/26/2026 TAGS: PHUM PREL KE SUBJECT: KENYA SEEKS US SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS BODY SEAT REF: A. NAIROBI 988 ¶B. NAIROBI 973 Classified By: D/Political Counselor L. Peterson. Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) In recent conversations with poloff, Tom Amolo, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' International Organizations and Conferences Division, has inquired as to how the U.S. would view Kenya's planned bid for membership on the newly established UN Human Rights Council. Amolo has repeatedly probed post to ascertain how the Kenyan security forces' March 2 raid on the Standard media group (reftels) would reflect on Kenya's human rights record, and consequently the country's candidacy, as the government considers "throwing its hat in the ring." Post would appreciate appropriate guidance from the Department. BELLAMY