Tear down ethnic walls, Kenyans told
US President Barack Obama speaks at Safaricom Indoor Arena in Nairobi on July 26, 2015. He asked Kenya to reform its politics, saying zoning the country into regions and tribes is likely to tear it apart. AFP PHOTO | SAUL LOEB
What you need to know:
- Addressing Kenyans from the Safaricom Indoor Arena at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, the US leader urged electoral reforms to ensure polls are credible and reflect the will of voters.
- At the same time, the US leader urged Kenya to ensure equal distribution of national wealth across the country to address the challenges posed by marginalisation.
- Historic marginalisation of parts of the Rift Valley and northeastern has contributed to instability in those regions, leading to chronic insecurity and underdevelopment.
President Barack Obama has asked Kenya to reform its politics, saying zoning the country into regions and tribes is likely to tear it apart.
Addressing Kenyans from the Safaricom Indoor Arena at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, the US leader urged electoral reforms to ensure polls are credible and reflect the will of voters.
He urged the government to let civil society take its rightful place in the country, saying they are vital for democracy.
“Democracy begins with elections, it does not stop with elections. For this system to succeed, we also have to have room for citizens to exercise their rights,” said Mr Obama.
He added that although democracy is sometimes “messy and frustrating”, it is imperative for the correct governance of a country, as well as in removing the cancer of corruption.
His comments come after a government crackdown on NGOs suspected of funding Al-Shabaab terror group.
Muslim for Human Rights (Muhuri) and Haki Africa are currently in court seeking to regain control of their accounts after they were frozen alongside those belonging to 84 other individuals and companies as part of the government’s anti-terrorism efforts.
The government has also lined up Bills seeking to grant it greater control over the civil society.
Mr Obama also spoke of the importance of a free Press, and praised Kenya for having one of the most robust media on the continent.
At the same time, the US leader urged Kenya to ensure equal distribution of national wealth across the country to address the challenges posed by marginalisation.
Historic marginalisation of parts of the Rift Valley and northeastern has contributed to instability in those regions, leading to chronic insecurity and underdevelopment.
“A girl in Rift Valley is far less likely to attend high school than a girl in Nairobi. We need to close that gap,” said Mr Obama.
He outlined three key pillars that are integral for Kenya’s development — democracy and fair governance, equitable development, as well as peace and reconciliation.
