Kenya formally takes seat on UN Security Council

Kenya on Monday evening formally assumed its position on the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member for two years.

Kenya won the seat in June last year after beating Djibouti, its closest rival for the seat, with 129 votes to 62, after months of intense lobbying and campaigns across the continent and globally. The flag hoisting ceremony took place in the Security Council chamber.

This will be Kenya's third tenure on the Security Council and will last until 2022. The country last served 23 years ago in 1997.

"The flag-raising event marks the formal start of our contribution at the seat of the global and premier decision-making organ on matters of international peace and security," Monica Juma, Kenya's defense cabinet secretary, said.

The event, which included the installation of other countries as well, was listed as the main activity on the Security Council website for the day.

Fifteen countries sit on the Security Council, the UN organ that maintains international peace and security. Five are permanent members - China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States - which have the right to veto resolutions.

Ten non-permanent members, the category in which Kenya falls, are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, with five elected each year.