Ranneberger sets the record straight

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger prepares to leave, having served for more than five years. He spoke to senior writer ATHMAN AMRAN on several issues during his tour of duty. Here are the excerpts:QUESTION: Which were your highest and lowest moments in your mission in Kenya?
ANSWER: It has been a wonderful time. But the 2007 elections were disappointing. The way the US stepped in to help resolve the post-election crisis was good. We influenced the reform agenda and strongly supported the review process that led to the adoption of a new Constitution.

Outgoing US ambassador Michael Ranneberger and Cotu Secretary General Francis Atwoli during Labour Day prayers at ACK St Stephen’s Church, Nairobi, on Sunday. Photo: Mbugua Kibera/Standard

 We have been pushing the implementation of the Constitution. I am very proud of the role we have played to empower the young people of Kenya. There have been a couple of low moments, but primarily, I feel quite good about my tenure in Kenya.
Q: You have served the US Government both under the Bush Administration and now under Obama. How has Obama’s policy on Kenya and Africa changed compared to Bush’s?
A: With respect to Kenya, the policy has been quite similar in the sense that when I arrived under President Bush, I had a mandate to strengthen democracy and partnership between the US and Kenya. When the post-election crisis happened, you may remember Secretary Rice (Condoleezza) come in to help and then the approach of the Obama administration when they came in was quite similar; to push for reforms. I don’t want to comment too much about Africa because it isn’t really my responsibility as I deal primarily with Kenya. But I think both the Bush and the Obama administrations have expanded engagement with Africa.
Q: Why has the US opposed the deferral of the ‘Ocampo Six’ case?
A: First, we have to go back to the fact that there were three causes of the post-election violence: the culture of impunity, negative ethnicity and pervasive poverty. And those three things are like a circle; they feed each other.
The only way Kenya can move forward, therefore, is if you could break the relationship between these three issues. One way to do that is by ensuring accountability. That is why the ICC process is so important. We talk a lot about reconciliation, but part of that is truth and justice, and that is why we view the ICC process as so important.
Q: You have come out strongly to support the youth and youth initiatives. What is your motivation and is Obama part of the plans? Is the old guard irredeemable?
A: We have pushed very hard to empower the youth. I consider it perhaps the most important thing that we are doing in Kenya. What we saw during post-election crisis was young people manipulated by politicians to carry out violence. And so, if you can empower those young people, you make them less susceptible. That’s why the empowerment is so important. President Obama supports this ‘Yes Youth Can’ programme.
Last year, President Obama hosted an African Youth Leaders Summit at the White House and there were Kenyans who participated. And at that summit, the President actually referred to the programme in Kenya.
Q: Last year, the Grand Coalition partners accused you of using the youth to undermine and overthrow the Government.
A: We are not trying to overthrow the Government, obviously. This is not about regime change, it is about trying to empower young people so that they can participate more effectively in the democratic process.
Q: What is your view on the Coalition Government’s performance for the last three years?
A: First of all, formation of the Coalition Government was the only means to stop the bloodshed in 2008. The Coalition Government adapted a very far-reaching reform agenda, but the problem is the reform agenda has not been carried out to the extent that it should have been. We have been disappointed that more has not been done. But there has been some success. There have been electoral reforms, there have been police reforms and most importantly a new Constitution was adapted. And remember the Government supported that new Constitution. No previous Government has ever been able to do that.
Q: Are Coalition Governments a panacea to Africa’s governance problems?
A: Definitely not. As I pointed out, the coalition in Kenya was unique. It was never intended to be a model for other countries. It was a unique solution to the problem in Kenya to end the violence and bloodshed. It was never meant to be a model for anywhere else in the world.
Q: You have been on the forefront in calling for increased fight against corruption. Do you think the Government’s efforts to eradicate this vice are convincing?
A: No, I don’t. In fact, the efforts to combat corruption have been extremely disappointing.
Q: Is it true your Government is working with a select group of MPs? Why and how?
A: No, that’s not correct. We have a programme to work with Parliament; it’s called Parliamentary Strengthening Programme. But that programme works with the Speaker and all Members of Parliament who want assistance. There is something called the Parliamentary Reform Caucus, which is advocating reforms and we are trying to work with them, but we are also working with other parliamentarians as well.
Q: Any other comment?
A: I really feel there is a profound process of transformation under way, which I think the politicians underestimate. I think the impact of that will be felt to some degree in 2012. On one hand, the vast majority of Kenyans want to see change and reform, yet on the other there are the forces of the status quo among much of the political class. And the question is, which will prevail next year?