Kenya will officially launch its candidature for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent seat for the 2021-2022 term on Monday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Monica Juma has announced.

Addressing the press in Nairobi on Friday, Juma said the launch follows a successful endorsement of Kenya by African Union (AU) member-States.

Kenya garnered 37 votes trouncing her close challenger Djibouti who got a paltry 13 votes in an election conducted in August 24th in Addis Ababa.

“With this endorsement, we are now set to officially start our campaign on September 16, and we believe that we are going to start our campaign on a strong footing,” she said.

 “As we launch our campaigns, we are reaching out to everyone including our partners in East African Community (EAC), African Union (AU), Asia, Middle East and even Europe to support our bid,” she added.

According to Juma, this is a regional and Africa campaign to push for Kenya entry in every forum globally adding that Kenya has put out a well-crafted strategy that will see it win the coveted seat.

The launch will be at African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Under the mantra “Support Africa vote for Kenya”, the CS exuded confidence that Kenya will clinch the seat saying its bid is anchored on peace and security for sustainable development.

This as she revealed they have been receiving a lot of backing from across the continent and globally.

“We have continued to receive confirmed assurances of support starting with Africa region, Europe, Caribbean, Asia, America among others,” the CS st ated.

She said her ministry has given firm instructions to all heads of mission abroad to campaign for Kenya whenever and wherever opportunity presents itself to do so.

Kenya’s entry into the UN’s most influential institution, the CS said will help Nairobi focus on the region’s security and the war on terrorism, climate change and sustainable development.

“We will focus on an agenda that enhances the relations between the council and the regional peace and security mechanisms including the AU Peace and Security Council, IGAD, ECOWAS, and all other regional security we will seek to focus on conventional security threats but also on the new threats,” said Juma.

She said Kenya is committed to being a bolder voice for Africa and shall steadfastly promote and defend the continent’s position.