Madaraka Day Celebrations

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001114

DEPT FOR AF/E Driano

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KE
SUBJECT: Madaraka Day Celebrations


1. SUMMARY: On June 1 Kenyans celebrated their 46th anniversary of
self-rule from the British Empire, with Prime Minister Raila Odinga
and President Mwai Kibaki jointly addressing a mixed crowd of
supporters. In comparison to previous years a number of things were
different about this year's "Madaraka Day," including the absence of
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. There was an enhanced military
parade and cultural entertainment that brought forth Kenya's
diversity. Kibaki and Odinga put on a show of unity and in
unusually clear terms talked about the need to implement the reform
agenda. Most Kenyans, however, remain skeptical of politicians'
willingness to implement significant reform measures. End Summary.

2. On June 1 Kenyans celebrated their 46th anniversary of self- rule
from the British Empire, with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and
President Mwai Kibaki jointly addressing a mixed crowd of
supporters. In comparison to previous years a number of things were
different about this year's "Madaraka Day," including the absence of
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. There was an expanded military
parade and cultural entertainment that brought forth Kenya's
diversity. In a departure from two years' ago, the PM spoke and
introduced the President. Perhaps conveniently, given the ongoing
tussle between the PM and Vice President over leadership of
government business and status within the coalition, the VP was in
Tripoli representing Kibaki at the Conference of Leaders and Heads
of States of CEN-SAD summit, Libya.

3. Odinga was well- received, but not as enthusiastically as last
year. Odinga spoke in Swahili, and Kibaki spoke in English.
Surprisingly, and despite the government having filled a big section
of the stands with a paid cheering section, Kibaki's speech was
disrupted by a loud disturbance in one section of the stands. The
uniformed cheering section tried to drown out the disturbance, and
security personnel went after the demonstrators. It took some time
for the authorities to shut down the disturbance, but Kibaki
soldiered on. He spoke exclusively of the economy, the problems,
the launch of the first phase of Vision 2030, and immediate
intervention to mitigate the effects of the global downturn
(particularly job creation for the youth, which got a rousing series
of cheers from the uniformed cheering section, which presumably has
already benefitted from this program). He talked about
infrastructure development and food security, and will extend the
favorable tax concessions for food importers.

4. Kibaki focused on both the economy and the reform agenda. He
reviewed actions taken by the government to implement the reform
agenda, and he said significant strides had been made since the
signing of the National Accord. He cited as accomplishments the
establishment of the Kriegler Commission, the Constitutional Review
Commission, the Waki Commission, and the government's several
attempts to establish a local tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of
post-election violence. The President talked about the need to end
the culture of impunity. Kibaki closed by calling for judicial
reform and funding increases for judges, police, and prisons, and he
called on the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to move quickly to
address corruption. He stated that the grand coalition is not in
crisis. He and Odinga put on a show of unity.

5. Contrary to rumors of possible demonstrations, there was
generally a peaceful atmosphere, albeit with a heavy police presence
on the approaches to the celebrations venue, the national stadium.
The PM and President arrived almost simultaneously and sat next to
each other, chatting amiably enough. About half of the Cabinet was
in attendance in advance of the President's arrival. His turn
around the stadium was initially greeted by loud cheers from one
uniformed cheering section, but the cheers subsided significantly as
Kibaki passed the public stands. He inspected the troops, moving at
a slow but steady pace across the entire football pitch in the
afternoon sun, vibrant and healthy in appearance.
--------------
Comment
--------------


6. Kibaki touched in clear terms on a broad range of issues of
concern to Kenyans, particularly the need for reform. He addressed
publicly, for what may be the first time, Kenya's "culture of
impunity" and the need to combat it. However, most Kenyans remain
skeptical about the government's commitment with regard to reform,
and they are tiring of politicians who say all the right things but
are slow on real action.
RANNEBERGER