A/S CARSON AND NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR GAVIN'S MEETING WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 001077 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (CHANGED SUBJECT LINE) SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2039 TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM PHUM PINR KE SUBJECT: A/S CARSON AND NSC SENIOR DIRECTOR GAVIN'S MEETING WITH MINISTER FOR HIGHER ED SALLY KOSGEI Classified By: Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger for reasons 1.4 (b) an d (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Assistant Secretary for African Affairs (A/S) Johnnie Carson and National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for Africa Michelle Gavin, and the Ambassador met on May 12 with Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Sally Kosgei. In a wide ranging conversation that focused on current political personalities and their aspirations, Kosgei confirmed that Kenya,s leaders are as a whole unwilling or unable to advance real reforms. Sustained, broad public pressure will be required to move leaders beyond their narrow political interests to serving the needs of the country. END SUMMARY. -------------- KARUA,S RESIGNATION -------------- ¶2. (C) Concluding a long day of bilateral meetings, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs (A/S) Johnnie Carson and National Security Council (NSC) Senior Director for Africa Michelle Gavin dined at the Ambassador,s residence with Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology Sally Kosgei. Kosgei opened the conversation by reflecting on the recent resignation of Martha Karua as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs. &Karua is a good woman, and an ally for reform,8 Kosgei remarked, but she &fell into the trap of believing that Kibaki actually seeks to reform the judicial sector.8 Frustrated in her ambitions for reform, Karua chose to resign, a move that Kosgei regards as unfortunate. Kosgei noted that Karua,s replacement as Justice Minister, Mutula Kilonzo, used to be the personal lawyer to former President Moi. &Kilonzo is a windbag and not strong enough to take on the vested interests8 of the current regime, Kosgei observed, but she expressed the hope that he would undertake at least minimal reforms of the judiciary. -------------- PRESIDENT AND PM INCAPABLE OF ACTION -------------- ¶3. (C)Following A/S Carson,s observation that Prime Minister Odinga appears to be shifting the blame for the slow pace of reforms to the President,s PNU party, Kosgei reflected that the two principles have no difficulty reaching agreement on issues but for different reasons are each incapable of advancing reforms. She noted from her own experience in cabinet meetings that &the two principles are in a mutual admiration club(in cabinet they always agree. In fact they should meet more often because they can reach agreement together.8 ¶4. (C) Concerning the President, Kosgei noted that Kibaki agrees to reforms in principle but is beholden to the corrupt interests of his inner circle. Agreeing that the head of the Civil Service Francis Muthaura has accumulated inordinate control over government functions, Kosgei stated that Muthaura, Minister for Internal Security George Saitoti, and Minister for Foreign Affairs Moses Wetangula are all close advisors of the President. ¶5. (C)Regarding the Prime Minister, Kosgei believes that Odinga truly wants to achieve the reform agenda but does not have the organizational discipline to do so. &Raila has no office structure, no discipline in his life or schedule,8 Kosgei commented, and quoted former advisor Salim Lone as observing that Odinga has made it this far in politics by the force of his personality without having to demonstrate managerial acumen. Though Odinga,s advisors are well intentioned, most don,t have government experience and he tends to surround himself with fellow ethnic Luos, Kosgei observed. Odinga is unwilling to sack corrupt deputies, and is overly focused on protocol issues and ODM inclusion in appointment decisions such that it distracts his attention from the broader reform agenda. Though Kosgei and other ministers have access to Odinga, he often agrees to meet late at night when he is tired and unfocused. Close advisors to Odinga include the ODM whip Jakowo Midiwo, Agriculture Minister William Ruto, several members of Odinga,s extended family, and his wife Ida. -------------- EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS -------------- ¶6. (C) A/S Carson raised our concerns regarding extrajudicial killings, in particular the Oscar Foundation murders. Kosgei responded by noting that all security organs remain under the MINISTER FOR HIGHER ED SALLY KOSGEI control of Kibaki,s PNU party. Because PNU leaders believe that Police Commissioner Ali did them a favor during the past election by cordoning ODM strongholds, Kosgei expects that the PNU will block any substantial police reforms and will retain close control of the police, GSU (paramilitary),and military in advance of the 2012 elections. In this context, Ali is permitted to utilize extrajudicial killings to control organized gangs such as the Mungiki, which threaten to disrupt Kikuyu politics by operating in the heart of Central province. The police freelance in extorting money from the gangs and execute legitimate critics such as the Oscar Foundation principles. Noting that Ali does not take calls from ODM ministers, Kosgei wondered aloud why ODM has not forced the issue of his continued tenure during cabinet meetings. -------------- A POLITICIZED NSIS -------------- ¶7. (C) Describing Gen. Michael Gichangi, the head of Kenya,s NSIS intelligence service as a &man who has no energy,8 Kosgei stated that the NSIS is picking up reports of emerging popular discontent and plans to disrupt public rallies with violent protests. However, she believes the President no longer reads NSIS reports and noted that Gichangi is more interested in collecting information on ODM leaders than issues of national importance. -------------- SUCCESSION POLITICS -------------- ¶8. (C) A/S Carson noted that there is talk of an emerging Kikuyu, Kalenjin, and Coast political alliance to contest the 2012 elections. Kosgei acknowledged that Ruto (Kalenjin), Deputy Prime Minister Kenyatta (Kikuyu),and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (Kamba) are indeed discussing an alliance, but believes that the discussions are an artifact of the Waki Commission (COMMENT: Both Ruto and Kenyatta are believed to be on the Waki Commissions, sealed list of 10 architects of the post election violence. END COMMENT). Ruto, in Kosgei,s view, is working with Uhuru to block key reforms and scuttle the Waki Commission,s call for a local tribunal to investigate the post election violence. However, she expects that Ruto will abandon Uhuru if he stumbles or is no longer useful. Kosgei (an ethnic Kalenjin) expressed doubt that Kikuyu voters in Central and Kalenjin voters in Rift Valley will be willing to set aside the violence suffered at each others hands to form a coalition in 2012. ¶9. (C) Reviewing other potential candidates, Kosgei noted that Uhuru is hindered by &laziness8 and a very hands off approach to running the Ministry of Finance. The recent submission of a budget containing &inaccuracies8 of more than 10 billion KSh ($130 million) has harmed Uhuru,s public image. Minister for Internal Security George Saitoti &has been appointed to every position he has held8 and lacks the skills to fight effectively for the Presidency. Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi (ODM) lacks the energy and money to seriously challenge Ruto. On the PNU side, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka &appears to be a diminishing asset8 who frets that he will be overshadowed by Mutula Kilonzo. Concluding her tour d,horizon, Kosgei stated that Odinga, despite his flaws, remains the strongest candidate in a crowded field thanks to strong opposition credentials and an accessible personality. -------------- THE REAL FIGHT TO COME: BOUNDARIES -------------- ¶10. (C) As the conversation drew to a close, Kosgei stated that she expects the constitutional review process to be contentious, but argued that the real political battle ahead will be over provincial and constituency boundaries. Painfully aware that their support was limited to Central and parts of Eastern province in the last elections, the PNU wants to divide Kenya,s 9 provinces into 19 in order to relax the constitutional requirement that successful Presidential candidates receive at least 25 percent of the vote in 5 provinces. The PNU is also hoping to use the recently appointed boundaries commission to redraw parliamentary constituencies in their favor. ¶11. (C) The Ambassador concluded the conversation by noting that the current challenge in advancing the reform agenda is mobilizing broad public pressure on the political class, but this goal is hindered by Kenya,s deep ethnic divisions. Kosgei agreed that people across Kenya are restive, and MINISTER FOR HIGHER ED SALLY KOSGEI predicted that the June 1 Madaraka day celebrations could turn violent. ¶12. (U) This cable has been cleared by A/S Carson and NSC Senior Director for Africa Gavin. RANNEBERGER