Address graft for reforms to succeed: US envoy

The United States Government will continue to work with the Kenyan Government to support implementation of reforms, while exerting pressure as necessary. At the same time, we will encourage civil society, the private sector, religious groups and the media to support implementation of the reform agenda.

In November, we supported a National Youth Forum that took place in Nairobi. The forum was organised by 66 independent youth organisations and brought together over 700 delegates from every constituency in the country. It took place in the context of our continuing efforts to expand outreach to youth and to expand support for independent youth organisations as part of the broader process of propelling domestic-driven peaceful pressure for implementation of reforms.

One of the outcomes of the National Youth Forum was that youth leaders committed themselves to mobilise millions of young people to provide input into the ongoing constitutional review process, and to push peacefully for implementation of the reform agenda.

Thomas Jefferson wisely observed that “democracy is cumbersome, slow, and inefficient, but in due time, the voice of the people will be heard, and their latent wisdom will prevail”. We applaud the efforts of Kenyan youth, and all segments of civil society, to make their voices heard, and we shall continue to support those voices.

As a follow up to the National Youth Forum, last month I launched a $45 million (Sh3.4 billion) comprehensive programme called “Yes Youth Can.” The programme strongly complements ongoing US efforts to reach out to and support grassroots organisations.

Work tirelessly

Earlier this month, we supported a delegation of youth leaders and activists who went to Washington and met with members of Congress, think tanks, and key officials of the Obama administration concerned about the slow pace of reform in Kenya. The message they heard is the same one I have shared with you today: keep at it, work tirelessly and constructively for positive change, and you have our active and unwavering support.

In a few weeks, Parliament is sending a delegation of the Parliamentary Caucus on Reforms to Washington in response to an invitation from the US Congress. The caucus will meet with US policy makers on the reform agenda, will develop contacts with key think tanks relevant to propelling reforms in Kenya, and will learn how caucus and issue-based campaigns work. We welcome this initiative.

Now, more than ever before, the people of Kenya are demanding change, and we shall do all we can to support them in their efforts to achieve it.