Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05NAIROBI4694
2005-11-10 12:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nairobi
Cable title:  

MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE US ABOUND IN BANANA

Tags:  PGOV PREL KDEM KE 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0004
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #4694/01 3141241
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 101241Z NOV 05
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7818
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 7988
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 4277
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 3842
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 0938
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 1761
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 1758
C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 004694 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2025
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KE
SUBJECT: MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE US ABOUND IN BANANA
COUNTRY


Classified By: Ambassador William M. Bellamy for reasons 1.4 (b,d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 004694

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2025
TAGS: PGOV PREL KDEM KE
SUBJECT: MISPERCEPTIONS ABOUT THE US ABOUND IN BANANA
COUNTRY


Classified By: Ambassador William M. Bellamy for reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: During a November 1 trip through Central
Province, local leaders shared with the Ambassador their
slanted, often erroneous, views on the U.S. relationship with
Kenya and our role in the constitutional referendum process.
While providing an excellent opportunity for the Ambassador
to set the record straight with influential local residents,
these conversations offered useful (if sometimes disturbing)
insight into the thinking of the mostly Kikuyu pro-NARC
government region. END SUMMARY.

A SMALL DONATION GOES A LONG WAY
--------------


2. (U) On November 1, the Ambassador traveled to Central and
Eastern Provinces, stopping in Embu to dedicate three
Ambassador's Self Help Fund-donated milk coolers, and in
Thika to visit a PEPFAR-funded HIV treatment clinic. In
Embu, both Provincial Commissioner John Nandasaba and
District Commissioner Shadrack Mwadime emphasized the need
for greater economic development in the area. They cited
particular needs for market access for local farmers,
investment in the tea and coffee industries, and irrigation.
Speaking at the milk cooler dedication, local officials and
farmers praised the significant impact the Embassy's donation
had made in providing a steady source of income for some
whose herds were as small as one or two cows. In Thika, the
Ambassador toured the District Hospital and met with health
care workers implementing a program to reduce mother to child
HIV transmission with funding from PEPFAR.

MYTH, LEGEND, AND MISPERCEPTION
--------------


3. (U) In Nyeri, a principal urban center of Central
Province, the Ambassador hosted lunch for representatives of
the major Christian churches in Kenya, a former mayor of the
city, and a prominent local lawyer. Much of the conversation
centered on why, in the guests' minds, the U.S. is working
against the ruling NARC government. The Reverend Charles
Ndanyu, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa
in Nyeri challenged the Ambassador on reports that the U.S.
sees Kenya as a failed state. Wilson Wanyoike, Central

Province Coordinator for the National Christian Council of
Kenya, added that in connection with the travel advisory,
Kenyans had the view that the U.S. was "hostile." The
Ambassador explained that the failed state report (widely
covered in local media) came from a little-known independent
organization. He also clarified the purpose of and impetus
for the travel advisory, noting that tourism from the U.S.
was at a record high.


4. (U) Father Anthony Munene, Moderator of the Catholic
Archdiocese of Mount Kenya, wondered why in his 2005 Fourth
of July remarks the Ambassador had called for regime change
in Kenya. (NOTE: The Ambassador had not called for regime
change, but the Information Minister, in his official
response, queried whether the U.S. was seeking regime change
in Kenya. END NOTE) Wanyoike added that Kenyans "at the
grass roots" have the opinion that the U.S. is
"uncomfortable" working with the NARC government, and that
the U.S. is more inclined towards "the other end." The
Ambassador responded that such allegations were entirely
false. He pointed out in particular that there was no good
reason why the U.S. should be more concerned with corruption
in Kenya than Kenyans.


5. (U) The conversation shifted, almost inevitably, to area
MP Chris Murungaru. James Mararo, NARC District Chairman and
former mayor of Nyeri, recounted his version of the history
behind the UK's refusal to allow the MP to travel to Britain,
saying it was because Murungaru had changed his official
vehicle from a Land Rover to a Toyota. Mararo wondered what
similar offense Murungaru had committed against the U.S. The
lunch attendees also asked why the U.S. wanted Kenya to sign
an Article 98 agreement, "in violation of international law."
The Ambassador explained our policy on corruption and
service members overseas.

UNQUESTIONABLY BANANA
--------------


6. (U) Equally unsurprising, G.K. Kibera, former chair of
the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) asked the question which the
many media members present in Embu had repeatedly raised: Was
the U.S. "flirting" with the ORANGE ("No") side in the
upcoming constitutional referendum? Kibera confirmed that in
Kenya, voting has a particular geographic dimension that will
be evident on November 21.


7. (U) Finally able to pose a question of his own, the
Ambassador asked if the Qnstituency Development Fund program
had been effective. Father Munene remarked that while
implementation was poor, the plan to try to spread
development to all areas was an encouraging step. The
practice of providing government resources to all Members of
Parliament for their constituencies, irrespective of party
affiliation, demonstrated a new level of political
sophistication.


8. (C) COMMENT: The Ambassador's conversations in Central
Province demonstrate the extent to which Kenyans will vote on
November 21 based on tribal, and thus regional, affiliation.
Pockets of the country have become solidly ORANGE ("No") or
Banana ("Yes") along expected lines. Comments in Nyeri also
reveal the depth of paranoia about U.S. policy in, and
intentions towards, Kenya among well-educated and influential
Kenyans in the Kikuyu heartland. At the end of the Nyeri
conversation, the lunch guests seemed quite at ease, willing
to accept our arguments, and eager for further contact and
discussion. The trip to Central Province illustrates the
advantage of face-to-face contacts with elites outside of
Nairobi. END COMMENT.
BELLAMY