Address graft for reforms to succeed: US envoy

In the second and final part of his speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Nairobi, US envoy MICHAEL RANNEBERGER makes a case for the need for political leaders to agree ahead of referendum on the proposed constitution

The development of a consensus draft and the holding of a successful referendum would constitute a very significant watershed for reforms. My government, at the highest levels, would respond very positively to this. Corruption must be addressed.

The United States shares the deep concern of Kenya’s development partners and the Kenyan people regarding the continuous revelations of large-scale corruption, most recently within the Ministry of Education.

The United States Government has suspended a planned five-year $7 million (Sh532 million) capacity building programme for the ministry, which was scheduled to begin in 2010 until there is a credible, independent audit and full accountability. Those culpable for the fraud should not merely be sacked; they should be prosecuted and put behind bars.

With regard to post-election violence, the United States firmly believes that the organisers, financiers, and perpetrators must be brought to justice. Those who organised, financed, and perpetrated the violence must be brought to justice, preferably through a local tribunal, but through international investigation and prosecution in the absence of a credible local tribunal.

Strong leadership is needed across the political spectrum to promote national reconciliation. At a time when ethnic tensions remain high, talk of ethnic alliances is frankly irresponsible. Such talk fuels tensions, foments division, and undercuts the reform process.

In the spirit of candour among friends, I want to raise some serious questions I frequently hear from Kenyans, and which are directly relevant to the reform agenda. Kazi kwa Vijana has been plagued with accusations of non-payment to youth and misappropriation of funds. Will there be clear transparency and accountability?

We shared the Kenyan people’s dismay at the government’s November 12 announcement of increasing travel allowances. Under the new allowances, a minister visiting Europe would reap $918 (Sh70,000) in daily allowances, more than the average Kenyan earns in a year. Will this allowance structure be reviewed?

The Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing scandals combined cost the Kenyan people $1 billion (Sh76 billion) – and not a single high level official has been brought to justice. Now we are hearing the government may make significant additional payments to Anglo-Leasing-related companies. What will be done to ensure accountability and transparency?

Has the Cockar Commission report on the sale of the Grand Regency ever been made public? The Kenyan taxpayers are on the hook for up to $100 million (Sh7.6 billion) through the Triton oil scandal. What is the status of the investigation, plans to prosecute those involved, and plans to recover those assets?

In response to the maize scandal, the government promised the Kenyan people and donors a forensic audit. Where is the audit report, and what is being done to change the corrupt practices of government officials who use their positions to benefit financially from food acquisition and distribution – including food for the poor and starving?

The government also said that it would outsource at least some operations of the National Cereals and Produce Board by September 2009, yet there has been no progress. When will the government take this much-needed action?
Corruption, the culture of impunity, and the failure to implement the reform agenda have real life-or-death consequences. There are many victims of these crimes, and I would like to take a moment to relate a few of their stories. I will not use their real names.

Wanjiku lives just an hour’s drive from (Nairobi) in Central Province. When her mother passed away, she was forced to leave school. Wanjiku’s husband works as a night guard and he brings home a monthly income of Sh2,000. Her husband has tried to move up to be a supervisor or join the police, but cannot afford the bribe needed to get a better paying job. When the maize scandal unfolded, the rise in corn prices meant that Wanjiku’s children often go without meals, and now show the telltale signs of malnourishment.

Hassan is a bright, energetic 12-year-old who studies each night by the light of a flickering candle. Despite his efforts to soak up knowledge, Hassan’s class numbers 80 students and meets in a crumbling classroom block. The Ministry of Education has promised additional teachers and a new building, but the funds disbursed were siphoned off through corruption.

Betty was forced out onto the streets of Nairobi when her father took a new wife who beat her daily. After a few days, she was detained by the police for vagrancy, and placed into a holding cell, which Betty at first thought would provide a dry place to sleep. However, one of the officers in the station violently raped Betty.

After seeking care from a hospital which confirmed the assault, the police rejected the hospital report and insisted that Betty be examined by Nairobi’s sole police physician instead. The police doctor reported no sign of assault, and the police prosecutor declined to pursue Betty’s case, leaving the rapist free to assault other vulnerable young women who, in an accountable society, should be under his protection.

Not welcome

Let me underscore the position of the US government that there will be no “business as usual” with those opposed to implementation of the reform agenda. We have already begun to ensure that those most egregiously involved in corruption will not use the benefits of that corruption in the United States. We may take additional actions in the coming weeks regarding persons who are not welcome to travel to the United States.

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.