Thursday, June 10, 2010

Impunity, graft and poor governance

(WATCH THE VIDEO HERE)
Corruption and poor governance should be tackled if Kenya wishes to become Africa’s shining star. That was the stern message from US President Barack Obama’s emissary Joe Biden.

To overcome challenges and enable the nation to regain its position of pride, Kenyans should be ready for change, Biden, the US Vice-President, said.

Biden said the power to bring change was in the hands of the people, as he diagnosed grand corruption, poor governance, and disregard for the rule of law as Kenya’s burden.

And giving his prescription, Biden said: "The power rests with you. Change is within

your grasp." Obama’s deputy was addressing an audience of Kenyans drawn from various walks of life at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, yesterday.

He said implementation of fundamental reforms and adoption of a new constitution would set Kenya on a new path to prosperity.

"The problems that have held you back are that too many resources are lost to corruption yet not a single high level official has been held to account. Institutions lack faith… Too many times Kenya is torn apart by ethnic violence manipulated by leaders… Too many young people have hit a dead end," said Biden.

The second-most powerful person in the US also tore into the Judiciary and police for promoting partisan pursuits, saying the institutions must be reformed.

Obama’s deputy cited inaction against those implicated in grand corruption, breakdown of institutions, ethnic hatred fueled by politicians, and disregard for the rule of law as forces pulling the country back.

The 2007 post-election crisis — in which at least 1,200 people were killed, and more than 350,000 displaced — revealed how dangerous these forces are, he added.


One message

"I come with one message: The US Government stands with you in the journey to a secure, free, democratic and prosperous Kenya," he added.

The former Delaware Senator reminded the audience of the hope at the country’s independence in 1963. "This is your chance to build on the promise made 47 years ago," he said.

"Don’t let your country down," Biden told the audience that included MPs, chief executives, religious leaders, civil society and students.

The US VP, who flies out of the country at midday for the opening of the World Cup in South Africa, said the US Government supports constitutional reforms, an endorsement of the Proposed Constitution ahead of the August 4 referendum.

The major theme of his speech was change, amplifying the message President Barack Obama, whose father was Kenyan, to storm his way to the White House to become the first US Black-American President.

Biden said Kenya would set an example for the rest of Africa if it embraced change. "You are the best hope for East Africa and indeed the African continent. If you make it the change you produce would be contagious."

He said the secret to prosperity lies in democratic reforms.

"Don’t lose sight of the price; a stable, transparent and democratic system that not only you trust but does the rest of the world," he said.

Alive to the fact that his statement would be criticised as a typical lecture by the ‘big brother’ Biden clarified the US Government values its relationship with Kenya. "But true friendship demands honesty," he added.

He commended the Coalition Government for agreeing on the reform agenda, which he added, if implemented, would see corrupt officials prosecuted and the Judiciary and Police reformed.

"A new constitution will put in place a framework to accelerate these reforms that would reduce Executive power by instituting checks and balances by Parliament and the Judiciary," Biden said.

He said Kenyans should not lose the opportunity for reform. "The co-operation between the President and Prime Minister is encouraging, but the real power rests with you the people of Kenya through your vote."

He emphasised that a new constitution would strengthen institutions and promote rule of law that would open the door for more US aid and investment. The second-most powerful person in the US told Kenyans to shun those who want to divide them along ethnic and religious lines and those who use fear to fight reforms.

"For far too long political opportunists have exploited the politics of all or nothing," he added.

He said change is never easy but urged Kenyans on, citing the case of former communist blocs that had risen above their dark history.

"Change is within your reach. Nowhere is it more real that the winds of change are blowing through Africa than here," he said.

Separation of Power

"Stability rests on separation of powers. Better governance is not an end to itself," he observed.

Biden, who today concludes his three-day visit before proceeding to South Africa to witness the opening of the first World Cup on African soil, said if Kenya embraced reforms it would no longer depend on aid because it has resources. Asked about right wing evangelical churches that are allegedly pumping funds into the ‘No’ campaign over conditional abortion clauses and inclusion of Kadhis Courts, Biden said the US Government had no control over them.

Earlier Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, in a glowing cream kitenge dress with matching headgear, had set the tone for the town hall meeting with a stinging upbraid of the current state of affairs.

Prof Maathai, who welcomed Biden at the forum, had decried corruption, saying it had stunted growth. Lack of credible institutions and post- election violence had worsened poverty, making healing and reconciliation an uphill task, she added.

Maathai said gross human rights violations must be punished and since national courts had failed to act the intervention of the International Criminal Court must be supported.

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