KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS - THE SPEAKER OF

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 000235

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FROM THE AMBASSADOR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/22/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM KE
SUBJECT: KENYA'S ELECTORAL CRISIS - THE SPEAKER OF
PARLIAMENT'S KEY ROLE

REF: A. NAIROBI 200


B. NAIROBI 185

C. NAIROBI 13

Classified By: Ambassador Ranneberger, reasons 1.4 (b,d)


1. (C) I met with the new Speaker of the Parliament, Kenneth
Marende, on January 18 to congratulate him on his election
and to discuss the role he can play to help resolve the
election crisis.


2. (C) I briefed Marende on U.S. efforts to assist in
resolution of the crisis. Marende noted that in his
acceptance speech two days before, he emphasized the positive
role that Parliament can play in helping the country return
to normal. His speech also stressed the need for compromise
by both sides. Marende urged the U.S. to remain strongly
engaged, saying that we are crucial to a solution through our
influence with both sides, and as Kenya,s key global
partner. Parliament can specifically help, Marende said, by
creating an &enabling environment.8 He pointed out, for
example, that most of the Parliamentarians on both sides are
young, bright, and moderate. Parliament can provide a forum
for formal and informal discussions across party lines.
(With Marende,s blessing, UNDP is helping fund within the
next week or so, a retreat for all the parliamentarians to
promote dialogue.)


3. (C) Without indicating his own bottom lines, Marende
emphasized his view that both sides will have to compromise
in order to achieve a viable political solution. He made
clear that he appreciates his responsibility to play a major
role in helping achieve this, and said he plans to be in
close touch with both the President and Raila Odinga.
Marende emphasized that agreement on constitutional and
electoral reform must be a major part of a political
solution. In that regard, he pointed out that he chaired the
ODM legal and constitutional review team before being elected
Speaker.


4. (C) Marende expressed appreciation for ongoing U.S.
support to strengthen Parliament, particularly by bolstering
the committee system. He expressed interest in meeting with
the U.S. team working with Parliament soon in order to focus
on next steps.


5. (C) Comment. The Speaker exercises a great deal of power
to control the parliamentary agenda. His objective rulings
-) despite being the ODM candidate -- during the
parliamentary session to elect a Speaker impressed the
government side. Marende has a solid legal background and is
well-placed to help promoe dialogue between Kibaki,s Party
of National Unity and Odinga,s Orange Democratic Movement.
The President will have to work with Marende if he wants to
advance his legislative agenda, much of which remained
pending at the conclusion of the last parliamentary session.
We expect Parliament to convene in early March.
RANNEBERGER