JULY 4 RECEPTION USED TO PUSH REFORM AGENDA AND ADDRESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 001424

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL ECON KE
SUBJECT: JULY 4 RECEPTION USED TO PUSH REFORM AGENDA AND ADDRESS
FOOD SHORTAGE ISSUE

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Summary
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1. Consistent with Washington guidance, the Mission held a scaled
back reception on July 2 to mark Independence Day. We used the
reception to focus on three urgent issues in Kenya: the need to
accelerate implementation of the reform agenda, the importance of
promoting national reconciliation, and the need to address the food
shortage problem. The event was prominently covered by the media.
End Summary.


2. The reception was well-attended by a wide range of government
ministers, Members of Parliament, civil society, religious leaders,
and others. Ex-President Moi attended. Speaker of Parliament
Kenneth Marende spoke and used the occasion to emphasize the
importance of moving ahead expeditiously to implement fundamental
reforms.


3. The Ambassador highlighted themes relating to the rule of law,
diversity and reconciliation, and the reform process. He announced
two new USG programs intended to help address food shortages.


4. Text of Ambassador's remarks:
Quote: Mr. Speaker, Honorable Ministers, Members of Parliament,
Colleagues, Guests, and Friends:

I want to extend a very warm welcome to our celebration of the 233rd
anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. We
are also celebrating the vibrant, strong, and expanding partnership
between our two countries -- a partnership based on the democratic
values and friendship we share.

Those universal democratic values were immortally articulated by
Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence: "We hold these
truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they
are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that
among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to
secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed."

Some of you may have wondered why we are celebrating on July 2
instead of on the 4th. Well, we thought it best not to do it over a
weekend when many people would be away, and July 2 is actually a
very appropriate date, since it was on July 2 that the members of
the Continental Congress actually voted for independence.

During the past 233 years Americans have consolidated institutions
intended to ensure democratic government. In light of the profound
crisis that gripped Kenya last year, it is relevant to recall that
the progress the people of the United States have made over these
many years has often been difficult, sometimes painfully slow, and
occasionally bloody. Examining this history tells us that the
process of building democracy is never easy and is never complete.
To the extent we have been successful, we have benefited from the
extraordinary achievement of our founding fathers, for they put in
place a constitutional framework based on the principle of checks
and balances. That system was premised on a hard-headed assessment
that, in order to protect the interests of all citizens, the power
of any one institution, individual, or group must be limited. The
challenge to balance respect for the will of the majority with the
necessity to protect the rights of minorities is a constant struggle
in all democracies.

As we reflect upon this independence anniversary and the partnership
we share, I am reminded of the Kenyan proverb: "Nia ikiwa moja
kilicho mbali huja (no matter their differences, people working
toward similar goals can achieve them). The Kenyan people deserve
enormous credit for coming together to overcome the crisis that
threatened to tear apart the fabric of their nation. They did this
drawing on their shared interests to strengthen the country's
democracy, society, and economy. The coalition government is based
on these shared interests.

Democracies, whether the United States or Kenya, grow stronger by
learning from the crises they experience, and by dealing with the
underlying issues they reveal. Last year the coalition government
committed itself to an agenda for fundamental reforms. During my
travels throughout the country, I have heard from Kenyans across the
political, ethnic, and social spectrum that they expect these
reforms to be implemented. The United States stands firmly on the
side of the Kenyan people in wanting to see results. There must be
a greater sense of urgency and clear direction from the national
leadership.

Among the many things we share, the United States and Kenya are
countries which encompass great diversity of cultures, ethnic and

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racial groups, and religions. Diversity enriches and strengthens our
nations if we learn to value it. Though we Americans have had far
more time to build our democracy than Kenya has, we can truly say
that neither democratic system is perfect. In the U.S. - as in
Kenya -- we struggle to fight corruption, to promote communal
harmony, to foster security, and to bring about gender equity.
Acutely aware of our own imperfections and limitations, we support
the efforts of the Kenyan people to address the difficult challenges
they face. It is the responsibility of Kenyans to solve their
problems in their own way, but they need and deserve the support of
their friends. We care deeply about the future of this great
country, and the future of our bilateral relationship is
inextricably linked to the progress of reform and democracy in
Kenya.

Last year at our Independence Day celebration we dedicated the new
rose garden "to peace and to the U.S.-Kenyan partnership." Perhaps
its astounding growth is a good sign.

This year our national day celebration comes at a difficult time for
the Kenyan people, as they face food shortages, and the combined
negative economic impact of the post-election violence and the
global financial crisis. This year our celebration is, therefore,
deliberately more restrained.

I am pleased to announce today that the United States will be
providing $15 million to support pastoralists and subsistence
farmers in the northern and eastern regions of Kenya - the areas hit
hardest by continuing drought. In areas that have been affected by
conflict, such as Marsabit, we have started to work with the local
Members of Parliament, the government, community leaders, and others
to ensure that this assistance is used equitably among different
communities to promote peace and reconciliation. As an additional
step to help ease food shortages and improve nutrition, I am also
pleased to announce a new $50 million program which will provide
credit guarantees for private sector importation of cereals.

Americans and Kenyans share a belief in the power of the democratic
spirit, profoundly illustrated by both countries' journeys to
independence. I am struck by the Swahili saying that captured, long
before America was founded, the need to cherish and harness
diversity for the well-being of all: "Umoja ni nguvu" (unity is
strength); the inscription on our currency is "one from many."

The election of President Barack Obama demonstrated how far we have
come in appreciating the strength and unity that can be found
through valuing diversity. I close with the words of President
Obama: "No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and
by the people sets a single standard for all who would hold power.
You must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must
respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of
tolerance and compromise; you must place the interest of your people
and the legitimate workings of the political process above your
party."

Please join me in raising our glasses in a toast to the 233rd
anniversary of the independence of the United States of America, to
Kenya's democratic progress, and to the partnership between the
United States and Kenya.

Ahsanteni sana na mungu awabariki. End Quote.


RANNEBERGER