KENYA: IMPORTANT VISIT OF SECURITY MINISTER MICHUKI

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001748 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR AF A/S FRAZER, DS A/S GRIFFIN, INL A/S PATTERSON FROM THE AMBASSADOR; DEPARTMENT FOR FBI E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2027 TAGS: PTER ASEC AFIN PINS PREL KE SO SUBJECT: KENYA: IMPORTANT VISIT OF SECURITY MINISTER MICHUKI REF: A. NAIROBI 498 ¶B. NAIROBI 588 ¶C. NAIROBI 693 ¶D. NAIROBI 704 ¶E. NAIROBI 849 ¶F. NAIROBI 1605 Classified By: Ambassador Michael Ranneberger for reasons 1.4 (b,d). ¶1. (C) Summary: Ensuring success of the April 25-7 visit to Washington of Kenyan Minister of Security Michuki is vitally important to U.S. interests with respect to Somalia, broader efforts to fight insecurity (both crime and terrorism),and keeping the Kenyan democratic process on track. This message explains the Kenyan government's expectations, lays out what we want to get out of the visit, and delineates a proposed list of deliverables. End Summary. -------------- Objectives to Advance U.S. Priorities -------------- ¶2. (C) The April 25-7 visit of Kenyan Minister of Security John Michuki to Washington, D.C., is an important opportunity to advance policy priorities with respect to Kenya and Somalia. High-level USG engagement is necessary to achieve this. There are three key objectives for the Michuki visit: -- First, express appreciation for Kenya's cooperation with us on Somalia -- and Michuki's personal role in carrying this out -- and ensure continued cooperation. In this context, also emphasize the need for Kenya to meet its international humanitarian obligations with respect to the border (i.e., being receptive to legitimate refugees and allowing passage of humanitarian assistance). -- Second, obtain Michuki's commitment to take necessary steps to combat insecurity in Kenya, particularly violent crime. Be responsive in concrete ways to Kenya's requests for assistance as delineated by Michuki. -- Third, deliver a firm message on the importance the U.S. attaches to respect for the rule of law, particularly in connection with the carrying out of the national elections this year. In addition, Washington interlocutors should follow up on several specific commitments the Mission has been seeking from the Kenyan government: -- Obtain agreement to the embedding of an FBI agent into the Kenyan Anti-Terrorism Police Unit to follow up on the 1998 bombing investigations and to work more broadly with the Kenyans on anti-terrorism issues. -- Obtain commitment to formally restrict the airspace around the U.S. Mission compound. -- Provide access to illicit firearms so that our DATT can trace country of origin/supply chain. -------------- Michuki: Effective, But Checkered, Record -------------- ¶3. (C) Michuki has a checkered background. He boasted about ordering the raid on the Standard media house in 2006, allegedly for "national security reasons." He has been a stalwart of Kenyan administrations since Kenyatta in a series of high-level positions. He made his money through questionable deals during the Kenyatta days and is the owner of one of the most impressive private clubs in Nairobi. (He considers himself to be a staunch Roman Catholic and recently created a stir in a Nairobi court when he insisted on taking the oath only on a "Catholic bible.") Michuki, in his mid-70s, is firmly associated with the Kenyan old guard who do business, in every sense, in old-fashioned ways (he served in the colonial provincial administrator). Transparency is not a word he is comfortable with and he is sometimes disposed to thinking that human rights are a troublesome obstacle to law enforcement. That said, Michuki is one of the most effective members of the Kibaki administration and, as such, key to advancing U.S. interests. He is closely linked to Kibaki and will probably be part of a second Kibaki administration should the president, as currently appears likely, be re-elected. -------------- Somalia and the War Against Terrorism -------------- ¶4. (C) Michuki has been nothing short of indispensable to Kenyan anti-terrorism cooperation with respect to Somalia. Repeatedly, I have gone to Michuki to get key actions carried out when we were not able to get cooperation at lower levels or with the various elements of Kenya's security apparatus. This has ranged from effective Kenyan operations along the border with Somalia, to the return of fugitive Maldonado, to a recent rendition case. He has delivered in virtually every instance. His continuing assistance will be crucial to continued U.S.-Kenyan anti-terrorism cooperation with respect both to Somalia and to Kenya. ¶5. (C) The Kenyan government's request for security assistance (previously faxed to AF/E) being carried by Michuki reflects in part the view that the U.S. should be responsive to this Kenyan cooperation. Michuki will rightly make the point that the Kenyan government is cooperating despite very vocal criticism emanating from Kenya's Muslim community. Though only ten percent of the population, that community is strategically placed along the coast, along the Somali border, and in Nairobi. The government has to weigh seriously these sentiments within the Muslim community, particularly during an election year when their votes count. In that context, Michuki will complain about leaks of sensitive information coming from Washington sources as, for example, in the rendition case. -------------- Fighting Insecurity -------------- ¶6. (C) The problem of insecurity in Kenya relates to the situation in Somalia. Violent crime is fueled in part by weapons that find their way into Kenya from Somalia and, despite Kenya's best efforts, terrorists manage to move between Somalia and Kenya. Substantial unemployment also fuels violent crime. While I have touched on Michuki's cooperation in fighting terrorism, he also plays a decisive role in combating violent crime. As reftels have deported, four immediate family members of Mission employees (1 American officer, 1 LES) have been killed this year in violent carjackings. As the Minister of Security, Michuki is trying to mount an all-out effort against crime. One reason for the current crime wave is the restructuring of the matatu (informal bus) industry when he was Minister of transport. Hundreds of operators reportedly lost their jobs, and some are the genesis of current gang activity. Michuki's "shoot to kill" orders to the police are not something that we can endorse, but it is a fact that the police are usually outgunned by gangs and that the gangs themselves tend to have the same policy. Michuki recognizes the need to deal with the violent crime problem. The primary reason for his visit to the U.S. is to obtain assistance for the police in their fight against crime and terrorism. As the U.S. Government, we can have no higher priority than addressing the violent crime and terrorism problem in order to help ensure the safety of Americans. Michuki is our primary interlocutor on the crime problem and he has a mandate from President Kibaki to address it. In that regard, the Kenyans are being pro-active: they are taking steps to make the police more effective through restructuring and have indicated their intention to provide additional resources to the police. -------------- Respect for the Rule of Law -------------- ¶7. (C) As an unreconstructed autocrat at heart, and based on his checkered record, Michuki is not positively perceived by many Kenyans or, for that matter, by many international observers. Yet, given his responsibilities for security and for provincial administration, Michuki will play a key role in the conduct of the national elections. Michuki is smart, politically astute, and pragmatic. A man of few words, he is usually direct and to the point. He appreciates direct and frank exchanges, generally giving as good as he gets. Our message on the rule of law should center on the following points: -- We recognize your commitment to combat insecurity. It is essential that this effort be carried out in accordance with the rule of law. -- As the Minister for security and provincial administration, we appreciate the key role that you will play in ensuring the national elections are carried out peacefully and fairly. The U.S.-Kenyan partnership is founded on shared democratic values, and ensuring credible, transparent elections is important to that. -- While the government has a role to play in carrying out the process, it is important that government resources be used properly. -- Working to minimize tribalism and to ensure the safety of all participants, voters and candidates, is vitally important. -------------- Deliverables -------------- ¶8. (C) Michuki is coming to Washington to seek assistance in response to the Kenyan request list (previously faxed to AF/E). That list includes: helicopters; aircraft; patrol boats, a forensics laboratory; explosive detection euipment; bullet proof vests; night vision goggles; and arms detectors. Michuki has put a substantial amount of time into preparation for the Washington visit. He intends to use a power-point presentation that will lay out Kenya's role in addressing regional problems and the security challenges facing Kenya. He will take a broad perspective. The importance of the visit is highlighted by the fact that he will be traveling with a team of senior security and foreign ministry officials. ¶9. (C) In concert with the Department and relevant agencies, we have carefully reviewed what can be provided in response. We propose that the following list of "deliverables" be packaged an initial response for Michuki's visit. I proposed announcing these jointly with Michuki upon his return. The list adds up to a reasonably sound figure of about 10m. -- ATA: officially indicate intention to seek $5.5m for FY08 (as proposed). -- ATA: officially indicate commitment (already in the pipeline but not yet identified to the Kenyan government) to train and equip at least 4 coastal patrol units; value 1.5m. -- ATA: officially indicate plans to provide secure IT network and case management project for the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU); value 1.2m (also in pipeline but not yet announced to the Kenyans). -- ATA: indicate plans to support a forensics lab and cyber crime training; value 750,000. -- ICITAP: announce commitment (using INL pipeline funds) for law enforcement development program focused on building capacity of law enforcement academies and general police skills; value 500,000. -- Announce commitment to conduct a combined U.S.-Kenyan border exercise (Exercise Noble Piper) during August-September, the planning of which would involve personnel from the Administrative Police and ATPU. -- Offer FBI 1-2 week training class in Kenya on combating violent gangs. (FBI is only prepared to do this as part of a broader anti-gang program.) (septel) ¶10. (C) In a discussion with the Ambassador April 18, Michuki underscored the interest President Kibaki has in making the visit a success. This means, from the Kenyan perspective, tangible deliverables, not happy talk. I have, of course, disabused Michuki of any expectation for helicopters or aircraft. Michuki will be receptive to training and to much of what is delineated above, but also wants support with equipment. He is particularly focused on items that would be delivered quickly. He specifically emphasized the importance of obtaining from us bullet-proof vests, gun detectors, and night vision goggles. ¶11. (C) It is essential that we dig deep and pursue every avenue to be responsive to the Kenyan government's requests. Being responsive will help reinforce Kenyan cooperation on Somalia and anti-terrorism efforts, and will directly contribute to fighting crime, thus contributing to the safety of Americans and the stability of our strategic partner. RANNEBERGER