The Need for Partners

On the occasion of the visit from the American secretary of state, the Kenyan prime minister calls on the United States to move past debates on governance.

It was 18:55 on Tuesday, August 5, when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came out of her Boeing 707 to step onto Kenyan soil. The birthplace of Barack Obama’s father is the first stop of a twelve day trip that will take her to Angola, Nigeria, South Africa, Liberia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde. On the tarmac of the Jomo Kenyatta airport, she was welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula and American Ambassador Michael Ranneberger.

Numerous soldiers and secret service agents were among the crowd of as many Kenyans as Americans. I must say that since the attacks against the American embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, in 1998, Kenya has become one of the closest allies of the U.S. in the war on terrorism. Undoubtedly, it is a more respectable ally than two of its closest neighbors, Uganda and Ethiopia, which will not be visited by Clinton. In fact, the country has maintained its democratic governance since 2002, despite the clashes that followed the presidential election at the end of 2007. In Uganda, Yoweri Museveni changed the constitution and has held power since 1986. In Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi has been the only one in command since 1991.

Clinton’s visit has been eagerly awaited due to the economic questions that arose in the eighth forum of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. The secretary of state has not forgotten to point a finger at the powerful coalition that has been stalling in Nairobi since the end of February 2008. This coalition includes, for better or worse, both yesterday’s enemies and certain potential candidates for elections in 2012. Among these are Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Vice Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

While emphasizing the need to reduce both corruption and the commercial barriers among African countries, Hillary Clinton has expressed her regret that those guilty for the violence of December 2007 and January 2008 have not been brought to justice. “We are truly disappointed to notice that the pursuits haven’t come to fruition a year and a half after [the violence]. That’s why we will lay out to Kenya to resolve this internal problem in putting in place a local tribunal.” Weary, the establishment of a local tribunal was one of many expected reforms in Kenya, but was always delayed by a heterogeneous coalition because it was viewed as costly and ineffective.

Increasing Economic Trade

It must be said that her program is loaded: adopt a new constitution, reform land tenure, fight against impunity, fight against corruption, lower youth unemployment, reduce poverty levels and end inequality. For her a collective vision must be cruelly lacking today, even if President Mwai Kibaki could assure the secretary of state that the suggested reforms would be put in place “with the shortest delay.”

On the eve of Hillary Clinton’s arrival, Prime Minister Raila Odina responded in advance to critiques targeted at the Kenyan government. “To give lessons on the problems of governance and transparency is in poor taste. The continent has hardly moved past years of dictatorship and authoritarian rule against which numerous African countries have fought against roughly. We don’t need lessons on how to govern. We need lessons on how we can trade with the rest of the world to prosper.”

On August 5, Odinga went at it again. “We need partners, not protectors!” Kenyans, who have hardly any trust in the political class that is known to be corrupt, will appreciate this statement. The inhabitants of the countries that fiddle with constitution will, without a doubt, also evaluate this declaration of the death of “authoritarian management” as they see fit.