New US envoy says no let-up in fight against corruption

United States Ambassador to Kenya retired Maj-Gen Jonathan Scott Gration and his wife, Judy, during an interview at his residence in Muthaiga on May 27, 2011.

By SAMUEL SIRINGI ssiringi@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, May 27 2011 at 22:00

In Summary

• Swahili-speaking ambassador says graft and lack of accountability remain major issues of concern to his government and pledges to continue with his outspoken predecessor’s policies

Beaming, new US ambassador to Kenya Jonathan Scott Gration said: “Karibu. Sisi ni wakenya” (Welcome, we are Kenyans).

Maj Gen (Ret) Gration then went on to explain how he enjoys reading a copy of Taifa Leo, a testimony that he is good at Swahili, Kenya’s national and official language, under the new constitution.

“But I sometimes consult a dictionary because some words are tough”.

Mr Gration, calm and composed, was facing the media yesterday at his Nairobi’s Muthaiga residence for the first time since he presented his papers to President Kibaki.

Yet the ease with which he discusses local issues gives an impression of a man who is rich in Kenyan history, a factor that is helping him and his wife Judy settle down fast.

“I have returned to the country of my birth,” said Judy, who was born in Kijabe.

But even as he made what looked like friendly remarks, he gave a hint of what would be his most urgent tasks as he gets down to work: Fighting corruption, improving the justice system and increasing political accountability.

Accountability systems, he said, needed to be beefed up to attract foreign investors. “They need to know their money is safe,” he said.

The envoy said corruption and political accountability remained key issues in the country.

He also said Kenya needed to boost its systems of justice.

“If there is a system where people are held accountable when they commit crimes … If they are accountable at the political level for the revenues that they get, where people know you don’t have to give a bribe to get a job done that’s going to create a business environment and a living environment and a political environment that will help us bring the investment that Kenya needs to flourish,” he said.

Mr Gration promised to maintain the development programmes his predecessor Michael Ranneberger espoused.

“We are different personalities but I will continue with similar messages,” he said.

The agenda Mr Ranneberger was pushing, he said, was not personal but a government position. “Everybody is different but there can be similarities (and differences),” he said.

While in Kenya, Mr Ranneberger pushed for the youth empowerment programme that some politicians interpreted to mean he was preparing the youngsters for a regime change.

His private briefs with US authorities, exposed by WikiLeaks, contained some embarrassing conversations which caused unease in high circles.

But Mr Gration would not dwell on details of his approach, saying his first encounter with journalists was a mere “introduction”.

He said he plans to continue working with Kenya and help improve the livelihoods of its citizens.

The US, he said, will continue to see Kenya as a key ally in the region.

The envoy hoped Kenya’s strategic location meant the country cannot afford to ignore the situations of its neighbours. Specifically, he spoke of the need to give special attention to Somalia.

He said refugees flocking into Kenya were a big security threat.

As an expert on security issues, the envoy said he could provide much needed advice. “My military background means I am familiar with security issues,” he said.

Mrs Gration said although Nairobi had changed greatly from the time the she was last here, “I still love the people and animals of Kenya.”

Saturday Nation spoke to the ambassador:

Some former US envoys have acquired the reputation for outspokenness and directness. What will be your style?

Everybody is different and I think you will see some similarities in the issues that Michael Ranneberger brought up because those messages were not his, they were from our government. They will be the same messages that I give because I will be representing our government’s position on a lot of issues.

But I think maybe what you may see is different is that everybody has their own personality, they have their own style, they have their own approach and I certainly want us to work as equal partners.

America sees Kenya as a very strong leader in the region, we’ve had a long relationship with Kenya, as political allies, as security allies, and economic allies and we need to strengthen those relations.

I will also say I am a guest in your country and I want to act like a good guest but we also need Kenya to act as a good host.

You have worked in countries neighbouring Kenya. What do you see in terms of using your experience in your work here?

You’ve raised an excellent point and there is nothing that happens in Africa that doesn’t spill over and so we really do need to look at Kenya within the regional context, and that means we need to understand Somalia.

That means we have to understand piracy. That means we have to understand trade between the two countries or countries that are in the region. That means we have to understand what the impact of a new country in Southern Sudan will bring.

We just need to think about what Kenya’s trying to accomplish, domestically and internationally and how we can be partners in making that happen.

We will look at Kenya in a very comprehensive way and we won’t just focus on one issue. Its not just about reform even though that’s on top of the agenda but its about how Kenya can bring social services to its people.

We wish to help Kenya with security issues so that Kenyans aren’t harmed by terrorist acts. All these things will be done with priority but we have to do them with the Kenyan leadership.

Given your experience, what special qualities do you bring to this country?

I bring three different things. The first is a military background, so I understand security. I was in the Twin Towers (America) when that 9/11 bomb went off. I’m very familiar with security issues. I’m very familiar with Kenya’s security issues since I flew with the Kenya Air Force and I think I can help on those security issues.

I will also bring a background on diplomacy. I was the head of the military or the Air Force’s international or international affairs offices. I was responsible for strategy and plans and policy for 93 different countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. I worked as the President’s Special Envoy to Sudan so I have a lot of diplomatic experience.

Have you identified any specific issues on defence, diplomacy that you wish to enhance?

I think its to Kenya’s benefit to have systems of justice, systems of representation that really represent the will of the people and when there is an election it should be peaceful, that transparent and credible so that people know that their will has been listened to.

Accountability is something that is helping business development in Kenya. Its now we are losing out on some business contracts. We are losing out on investments. We are losing out on tourism because people don’t feel that their money is safe in Kenya. We have to change this environment.

If there is a system where people are held accountable when they commit crimes, carjacking and those kind of things. If they are accountable at the political level for the revenues that they get, that’s going to create an environment that will help us bring the investment that Kenya needs to flourish.

Do I sense that corruption and accountability are some of your most immediate priorities?

Yes those will always be an issue for our government. But its an issue for the Kenya Government because these issues are now impacting business development, tourism and Kenyans in their way of life. And at some point these have to be addressed, they are not American issues, these are Kenyan issues.