Kenyan leader warns foreign countries against interference in polls

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday warned that foreign countries are intent on influencing the outcome of next year's polls slated for August 2017.

Addressing the celebration to mark 53rd anniversary of Kenya's independence, Kenyatta said in Nairobi that 2017 elections will be decided by Kenyan voters and not by external powers who are angling to impose leaders on the country.

Kenyatta warned of attempts by external powers to interfere with Kenya's democratic process, adding that it is only for Kenyans to decide upon their leader.

"They (Kenyans) have the final say. Not divisive politicians or external powers. Our choice is sovereign, our nation is ours to shape and build," he told thousands of Kenyans who had turned up to mark the occasion.

He emphasized that Kenya will not tolerate attempts by any foreign entity to interfere with its democratic process, while disclosing that huge amounts of money was flowing into the country from abroad in the guise of supporting good governance or civic education but its true intention is to influence electoral choices.

The president urged Kenyans to remain united and to treat each other as brothers as the country heads into the next elections.

He also noted that he is confident in winning the 2017 election because his government has put Kenya on track to progress. Endit