Kibaki protests Obama letters

• President says move out of step with international protocols in the conduct of relations between friendly nations.
• US had written to 15 Kenyans warning them against blocking reforms.

President Kibaki has written to US leader Barrack Obama to express "displeasure" with his administration over letters sent to 15 top Kenyan officials.

"His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki has written to President Barack Obama of the United States expressing displeasure and concern about letters written by a US Government official to some Ministers, some Members of Parliament and some Civil servants in their personal capacity on matters of Kenya’s public policy.

"The action by the US Government official is considered out of step with international protocols in the conduct of relations between friendly nations," said a terse statement from Kibaki's office.

The President’s move comes just a day after Prime Minister Raila Odinga said that the US had the right to take action on individuals it deems to be blocking reforms.

Mr Odinga who was delivering a speech at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government in the US said Washington could take action "if they’re convinced the people they’re banning from coming to the United States are engaged in forms of impunity."

He said he was at the forefront of championing reforms adding that we was opposed to all forms of impunity.

"I have been a victim of impunity in the past," Mr Odinga said, noting that he had been detained three times for a total of nine years.

Mr Odinga is the government's representative to the 64th United Nations General Assembly in New York, US.

The conflicting messages form the highest levels of government could yet open fresh wounds in the fragile coalition government, formed to end months of violence after a disputed presidential elections.

President Kibaki's move is bound to reignite a new war of words between ODM and PNU stalwarts that has characterised the 17-month old coalition.

On Thursday, US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said that letters had been sent to the individuals warning them against blocking reforms.

The letters, signed by the US Africa top diplomat Johnnie Carson, warned Kenya risked losing Washington's support adding that it will not be "business as usual" if the country continued to delay the implementation of key reforms.

"President Obama and Secretary Clinton have made clear their deep concerns that key elements of the reform agenda have not been implemented. They have made clear that as a friend and partner of Kenya, we want to help but we will not do business as usual with those who do not support reform or who support violence," said part of the letter.

"We welcome initial indications of steps towards police reform. The remaining reform agenda is extensive, however, and we expect to see actions and results- not more promises, rhetoric and commissions," added the letter.

While the US envoy withheld the manes of the 15 prominent persons, The Nation learnt that those in the list included: Civil service boss Francis Muthaura, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Cabinet ministers William Ruto (Agriculture), Franklin Bett (Roads and Mutula Kilonzo (Justice).

Others are: Environment minister John Michuki and Internal Security minister George Saitoti. Joint government whips George Thuo and Jakoyo Midiwo were also believed to be on the damning list.

The Obama administration warned that the 15 risked facing travel bans on themselves and their families.

The letters said that reforms must proceed with a greater sense of urgency adding that doing so is "crucial to the future democratic stability of Kenya."