Kenya tops Africa in backing the US spying on leaders

Kenya leads in a listing of African countries whose citizens accept American government spying on their leaders and on private citizens.

Forty nine per cent of Kenyans interviewed in a survey agreed that e-mails and phone conversations of their political leaders should be monitored by US intelligence services for whatever reasons, while 44 per cent disagreed.

The survey by the US-based Pew Research Centre, also showed that 51 per cent of Kenyans opposed US spying on Kenyan citizens, with 43 per cent in support.

Of those interviewed in Kenya, 68 per cent also agreed that American spies were free to monitor their own citizens, with only 27 per cent opposing. US spying on foreign nations, including close allies, has sparked controversy globally after a former US agent, Mr Edward Snowden, exposed the practice.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is among world leaders who have openly protested after American spies tapped her private phone.

Mr Snowden now lives in political asylum in Russia after he leaked the information on the extent of US spying on foreign leaders. (READ: India summons US envoy on spying claim)

On keeping tabs on terrorists, 88 per cent of respondents in Kenya were in strong support of US spying, with just eight per cent against.

Pew Research also found that Kenyans, among the six African countries surveyed, gave the most favourable rating to the US government, at 80 per cent. This compares to 77 per cent for Ghana, 75 per cent for Tanzania and 74 per cent for Senegal. Others rated were Nigeria (69 per cent) and Uganda (62 per cent).

The survey on spying placed a single question: “Is it acceptable or unacceptable for the American government to monitor communications?”

Respondents in Tanzania gave an emphatic no to the question, saying no form of surveillance would be acceptable to them.

Seventy one per cent of the respondents in Tanzania rejected the American government’s action on phone and e-mail intrusion while only 25 per cent supported monitoring of private citizens’ communications.

TERRORIST ACTIVITIES

“Sixty four per cent say it is totally unacceptable to monitor leaders’ mail and phone conversations while 49 per cent said it is prudent for the American government to monitor its own citizens’ activities online and on phone,” the survey published online reveals.

In Uganda, 73 per cent of those interviewed said terrorist activities should be monitored day and night compared to 22 per cent who felt that this would be totally unacceptable.

A third of Ugandan respondents said they would support intrusion of private emails and phone conversations of citizens while 55 per cent supported the American government’s bid to spy on its own citizens.

Pew Research — a non-partisan organisation that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world — the region, there was a general disapproval of US spying on East African presidents. (READ: US passes law to protect intelligence whistleblowers)

Forty nine per cent of Kenyan and Ugandan respondents said they were opposed to such a move compared to 64 per cent of Tanzanians.

Worldwide, the US surveillance programme has received strong disapproval.

The survey was based on 48,643 interviews in 44 countries with adults aged 18 and older. It was conducted between March 17 and June 5.

Eighty one per cent of those interviewed said they opposed US surveillance of citizens of other countries. Only 12 per cent found the practice acceptable.

“In contrast, Americans tilt toward the view that eavesdropping on foreign leaders is an acceptable practice,” the report says. “They are divided over using this technique on average people in other countries”.

It also says that majority of Americans polled and others around the world agreed that it was acceptable to spy on suspected terrorists. (READ: Why Vodafone allows the State to eavesdrop on phone calls)

Another high-profile aspect of America’s recent national security strategy was also widely unpopular: Using drones.

“In 39 of 44 countries surveyed, majorities oppose US drone strikes targeting extremists in countries such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia” the report says.

Israel, Kenya and the US were the only nations polled where at least half of those interviewed supported drone strikes.