The Kenyan government has distanced itself from a press conference held in Nairobi by Congolese politicians and groups including the M23 rebels that announced the creation of the Congo River Alliance.
Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said the country had no hand in the outcome of the presser.
He, however, noted that the press conference was held in Nairobi on the grounds that Kenya allows freedom of the press for both its citizens and non-citizens.
"The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya refers to press reports that some nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo claiming association with rebel groups within DRC addressed a press conference in Nairobi and made statements that are prima facie inimical to the constitutional order of theDemocratic Republic of Congo," Mudavadi said.
"The Ministry wishes to note that Kenya is an open and democratic state where freedom of the press is vouchsafed. As such, nationals and non-nationals may engage the Kenyan media without reference to the government," he said.
Mudavadi said the Kenyan government was in no way involved in the press conference adding that it is not a party to the internal affairs of DRC.
He affirmed Kenya's commitment to supporting the peace, security, and democratic consolidation of the DRC.
"Kenya strongly disassociates itself from any utterances or activities likely to injure the peace and security of the friendly Nation of DRC and has commenced investigation to determine the identities of the makers of the statement and the extent to which their utterances fall outside constitutionally protected speech," the Prime CS said.
The pronouncement comes after DRC on Saturday recalled its ambassador to Kenya amid deepening tension between the two countries following the launch of a new Congolese military alliance, including rebels, in Nairobi.
The country also recalled its head of mission in Tanzania over what was described as "for consultations".
Alain Tshibanda, the spokesperson for Congo's foreign ministry, announced the on the X social media platform, formerly Twitter the developments.
On Friday, Congolese politicians and groups including the M23 rebels, who have seized territory in eastern Congo, and Corneille Nangaa, a former Congo election commission chief, launched the Congo River Alliance in Nairobi.
Speaking at the launch, Nangaa, sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption and obstructing the 2018 election, said the alliance would bring together various Congolese armed groups, militias, and social and political organizations.
"I am looking for a lasting solution; all communities must live together in Congo," Nangaa told Reuters on Saturday.
Congo is due to hold presidential and legislative elections on December 20.
The new alliance is an additional concern in a region where insecurity has persisted for decades, fueled by ethnic rivalries and a tussle over land and resources with regional implications.
Bintou Keita, head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, said in a post on social media platform X that she was "extremely concerned by the creation of a new political-military platform".