US reassures Kenya on fight against terrorism

PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec at the US Embassy in Nairobi.United States Ambassador Robert Godec sought to assure Kenyans on Saturday that the US remains a committed partner and will continue to work side by side with Kenya in the fight against terrorism.

What you need to know:

  • In a written statement, Ambassador Godec addressed concerns arising from a June 19 State Department travel warning that said some US embassy personnel are being transferred from Kenya to other countries.
  • The US issues warnings about travel to many countries, Ambassador Godec added, noting that improvements in security can lead to modifications in the State Department’s advice to US travellers.

NEW YORK

United States Ambassador Robert Godec sought to assure Kenyans on Saturday that the US remains “a committed partner and will continue to work side by side with Kenya in the fight against terrorism.”

In a written statement, Ambassador Godec addressed concerns arising from a June 19 State Department travel warning that said some US embassy personnel are being transferred from Kenya to other countries.

The warning also cited new restrictions on travel within Kenya by US government personnel and noted plans to reduce the number of US-sponsored conferences and training sessions in Nairobi.

Seeking to dispel “a number of rumours” concerning the embassy’s status and Washington’s relations with Nairobi, the ambassador said the embassy will remain open and personnel “are not evacuating.”

“We are making modest staffing changes at the embassy that will not affect our commitment or assistance to Kenya,” he said without indicating the number of personnel affected.

The travel warning was issued in response to Kenya’s “changing security environment,” the statement said. The first obligation of any government, Ambassador Godec noted, is “to inform and protect its citizens.” “Our travel warning for Kenya is nothing unique,” he said.

The US issues warnings about travel to many countries, Ambassador Godec added, noting that improvements in security can lead to modifications in the State Department’s advice to US travellers.

Aiming to reassure Kenyans of ongoing US support, the envoy detailed several forms of US counter-terrorism and broader military assistance to Kenya.
He said the US has provided the Kenya Defence Forces with Sh11.1 billion worth of support during the past three years, with a large share—Sh 10.3 billion—going to counter-terrorism efforts and border-security programmes, aircraft and patrol boat procurement, and equipment upgrades.

Another Sh3.8 billion has taken the form of civilian counter-terrorism aid to Kenya over the past four years—the fourth-largest amount of such US funding worldwide, Mr Godec added. A focus of this assistance, the envoy noted, is to “eliminate the al-Shabaab threat.”

“We expect to provide much more assistance in the future,” he said adding, “Our resolve to work with Kenya in the fight against terrorism is unwavering. Our 50-year partnership is important and we are committed to continuing to strengthen it.”