Report on USAid ‘won’t affect Kenya-US ties’
Secretary to Cabinet Francis Kimemia. Kenya has accused a US development agency of planning to destabilise the government by sponsoring street demonstrations across the country. PHOTO/FILE
What you need to know:
- The order was made in a statement dated February 12 signed by Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia, who also chairs the committee.
- The US has described the allegations as false, saying its 50-year partnership with Kenya is as strong as ever.
The bond between Kenya and the US will not be affected by reports that a development agency from the North American country is sponsoring demonstrators in an attempt to subvert the Jubilee Government.
The National Security Advisory Committee on Thursday said it had ordered the Foreign Affairs ministry to summon US Agency for International Development (USAid) officials over claims the agency planned to destabilise the government by sponsoring street demonstrations across the country.
The order was made in a statement dated February 12 signed by Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia, who also chairs the committee.
The committee said it had credible intelligence documents to back its claims.
The US has described the allegations as false, saying its 50-year partnership with Kenya is as strong as ever.
But yesterday, State House spokesman Manoah Esipisu said the incident would not affect relations between the two countries. “I wouldn’t say this would affect relations with the US,” he told Saturday Nation.
“Any government has a right to say what it wants if it feels dissatisfied by the actions of other governments (it has a relationship with),” Mr Esipisu said.
He said the incident would also not be a consideration on whether President Kenyatta would honour an invitation by US President Barack Obama in August.
