THE KIBERA SLUM: POVERTY, REFORM, AND THE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000538

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PREL PGOV ECON KE
SUBJECT: THE KIBERA SLUM: POVERTY, REFORM, AND THE
DEMOCRATIC PROCESS

UNCLASSIFIED -- ENTIRE TEXT.


1. On January 29 and March 10, the Ambassador visited the
Nairobi slum area of Kibera (with almost 1 million people, it
is the largest slum in sub-Saharan Africa) as part of a
continuing series of visits to interact with the people, to
support assistance U.S. efforts including by publicizing what
the U.S. is doing to help address food shortages, and to
promote implementation of the reform agenda. Kibera was
plagued by post-election violence.


2. The visits included appearances on the local FM radio
station, to which we have provided support, and took call-ins
from listeners. Callers were very positive about the role
that the U.S. is playing to help drive the process of reform.
The Ambassador discussed the importance of implementation of
the reform agenda, and the relationship between economic and
political reforms that will benefit the people of Kibera. He
called attention to U.S. assistance efforts through visits to
micro-enterprise activities (which benefit 400 persons) and
to PEPFAR-supported programs. The Ambassador visited the
Kenya Disabled Action Network, which the recipient of a
Democracy and Human Rights Fund grant. By visiting Langata
High School, he highlighted U.S. support for education
through the Ambassador,s scholarship fund for girls and
boys. The Ambassador held a town hall meeting with
community-based organizations; we support and engage with
dozens of community-based organizations in Kibera through
USAID programs. He conducted outreach through a visit to Toi
market and its 5,000 vendors.


3. During his March 10 visit, the Ambassador participated in
the dedication of a new health clinic in Kibera sponsored by
Carolina for Kibera, a remarkable non-governmental
organization founded by students at the University of North
Carolina. The clinic is an excellent example of
public-private partnership, since funds for construction were
raised by Carolina for Kibera, while CDC and PEPFAR support
the clinic.


4. During the visits well-known local artists met the
Ambassador and walked with him. The artists, such as &Solo
78 played a significant role in helping to restrain
violence, particularly through their graffiti campaign to
promote peace and reconciliation. Through our cultural
affairs program, the Mission is supporting local film
production.


5. The extremely warm welcome accorded the Ambassador in
Kibera highlights the positive view of the Kenyan people
toward the U.S. (Although the U.S. has traditionally enjoyed
a high approval rating in Kenya, it has soared to around 90
percent, undoubtedly influenced in part by the election of a
"son of Kenya" as perceived by the Kenyan people.) and hope
that U.S. leadership can help drive the process of reform.
As at other venues, the Ambassador emphasized that the Kenyan
people must exert peaceful pressure for reform. The process
must be demand-driven from the Kenyan people, with the U.S.
providing strong support.
RANNEBERGER