News
Clinton: US won't interfere in Kenya affairs
US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton (extreme right), Foreign minister Moses Wetangula (centre) and US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger (left) during her visit to the 1998 bomb blast Memorial Park Nairobi on Thursday. With them is fourteen years old Michael Macharia whose parents died in the blast when he was four. She said the US will not interfere with Kenyan affairs during a public talk at the University of Nairobi. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI
Posted Thursday, August 6 2009 at 14:35
In Summary
- Mrs Clinton urges civil society to push for change.
She challenged religious groups in Kenya to spearhead the healing and reconciliation efforts.
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has insisted that America will not interfere with the running of Kenya’s coalition government.
Speaking at a public talk in the University of Nairobi on Thursday, Mrs Clinton said that apart from piling pressure on the coalition government, there was very little her country could do to influence the political situation.
“The US cannot solve Kenya’s problems… we cannot dictate to you how to run this government; it is not up to us,” she said.
“The answers to Kenya’s challenges lie with Kenyans.”
While responding to questions from the audience, Mrs Clinton avoided direct reprimand to the coalition government, instead, pledging to help the civil society to change the regime.
Mrs Clinton urged the civil society to “keep pushing for reforms.”
“I work for a President who believes in hope,” she said.
One participant, Joshua Nyamori, had asked the US Secretary of State about her impression of the political will in regard to the implementation of the reform agenda.
“There are people within the leadership who understand the necessity of these reforms, whether they’ll be successful or not is still up in the air,” she replied.
Mr Martin Oloo of the Law Society of Kenya sought a clarification on America’s position regarding free and fair polls and the emerging trend where disputed elections transform into power-sharing deals.
The US Secretary replied that once the elections are done, her government is “left with a very tough choice.”
While on one hand imposing sanctions would punish the voters, working with an illegitimate government casts doubts about the consistency of America’s foreign policies.
“Holding elections that are free and fair is something every government owes to its citizens,” she said.
Terming Kenya as a “very political country” where “everybody has a political opinion”, Mrs Clinton asked those in the civil society to join politics and try to change the system from within.
“Start now,” she said.
-
Submitted by njeridivaPosted August 07, 2009 10:26 PM
-
Submitted by vgogero
We need to learn from the USA especially on the appointments of Judges and the AG .In Kenya one only needs the right connections to get such positions unlike the US where merit and a track record counts
Posted August 07, 2009 06:21 PM -
Submitted by Wanjiku98
Hoi SJ502. We shouted from the roof tops that Obama will help us out. We sang about our son after our burned down our businesses. How does someone mess up their own house and expect other human beings to help him rebuild it? Little knowledge is dangerous. Obama is an American with Kenyan roots. Born by a Kenyan father who never cared about him. Just as we don't care about Africa. And we are proud of this careless father. Obama's father says alot about Africans.
Posted August 07, 2009 05:34 PM -
Submitted by naliweliwalo
Then, Mrs Clinton, why are you threatening to impose sanctions? Go and impose sanctions on Iran first, before imposing sanctions on Kenya!
Posted August 07, 2009 01:22 AM -
Submitted by werssylwer
I dont think pointing out LEGITIMATE concerns like corruption is interfering.Friends advise each other good lady.
Posted August 07, 2009 01:01 AM
RSS
i think tht CLINTON/OBAMA should get off that moral high horse that they are on.if our leaders have sinned,(and indeed they have)then american leaders have committed ABOMINATIONS in comparison let them try their own former president 1st b4 they start pointing fingers.that said i do agree with her point on local tribunals albeit not for the same fake reasons she is peddling.where has our pride gone kenyans?why surrender our sovereignity to the western hypocrites at the hague?noone else should have jurisdiction of kenyan internal affairs but ourselves!