“Kenya should back Somaliland’s quest for recognition “.
Standard commentary calls for Kenyan support for Somaliland recognition
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Monthly Archives: April 2010
Kibaki leaves for China to seek infrastructure deals
President Kibaki has left for China to seek support for a number of projects that Kenya has discussed with the Chinese, including development of a port at Lamu, a rail line from Lamu, a standard guage rail line from Mombasa (existing “Lunatic Express” line is narrow guage), light rail for Nairobi–from Africa Review.
In the May issue of The Atlantic, former New York Times correspondent Howard W. French explores this type of Chinese investment activity in Africa in “The Next Empire”.
Democracy Arsenal challenges U.S. approach to democracy assistance
From Shadi Hamid of the Brookings Institution at “The Problem(s) with U.S. Democracy Assistance” at Democracy Arsenal:
In any case, the whole idea of “democracy assistance” is a bit odd and more than a bit hypocritical. We fund autocracies with billions of dollars of aid, then we fund some small NGOs so that they can oppose autocracy. Talk about mixed messages. Often, “democracy assistance” does not in fact assist democracy, since much of it goes to authoritarian governments themselves to help them govern more effectively. And a good chunk of NGO assistance goes to NGOs that are effectively GONGOs – government organized non-governmental organizations. GONGOs, needless to say, have nothing to do with democracy promotion. Even the money that does go to well-meaning NGOs is focused less on specifically democratic concerns and, as the Arabist notes, more on things like women’s empowerment, minority rights, etc., which are all important, but are not necessarily clearly linked to democratization – the movement, among other things, toward a political structure in which “alternation of power” is possible.
Certainly the imperative for democracy promotion organizations like IRI is to “follow the money” — to support overhead and bureaucratic and political heft by morphing to try to undertake whatever tasks the US government has funding for–regardless of core competencies and mission. I definitely wouldn’t go so far as to say that the US “GONGOs” have “nothing to do with democracy promotion”, but any honest assessment does have to recognize the inherent contradictions. “GONGOs” do face inevitable occasions when those contradictions between democratic ideals and policy choices by some in key positions in the US government are not successfully managed–as in my experience at IRI in dealing with the U.S. Ambassador in regard to the last Kenyan election.
US-Kenya Relations–a counterterrorism versus reform tradeoff?
Alex Thurston at Sahel Blog has an interesting post on “Concern over US-Kenya Relations” that is well worth a read, along with his linked opinion piece in the Guardian last fall and a current VOA report.
Certainly the US has been very inconsistent in terms of what its priorities are for the relationship with Kenya over the past four years. The decision on Ambassador Ranneberger’s replacement will be important, as was the mixed message associated with extending his term for a year for mid-2009 to mid-2010.
From my perspective a longer term view and consistency on reform would allow us to accomplish more both in combating potential terrorism and in helping Kenya toward better governance. To me, the vulnerability of Kenya in the security areas is very much linked to corruption and poor governance. Kenya is a money laundering center and a safe transit point for terrorists in some significant part because of the ability to buy protection through bribes, as well as to avoid detection and arrest and legal process due to weak governance.
Further, to the extent that you use tactics like “rendition” in conjunction with a government and security forces like those in Kenya, you are going to make some significant number of people afraid and alienated that are not otherwise in sympathy with terrorists. That’s just the reality and any expectation otherwise is foolish. Whether these kind of tactics are worth this kind of cost is the question–not how you can have it both ways.
Allow me to quote Defense Secretary Gates from his new Foreign Affairs piece, “Helping Others Defend Themselves: The Future of U.S. Security Assistance” [full text subscription-only], published yesterday:
The United States has made great strides in building up the operational capacity of its partners by training and mentoring them in the field. But there has not been enough attention paid to building the institutional capacity (such as defense ministries) or the human capital (including leadership skills and attitudes) needed to sustain security over the long term.
The United States now recognizes that the security sectors of at-risk countries are really systems of systems tying together the military, the police, the justice system, and other governance and oversight mechanisms. . . .
“Berthing Allotment”
Berthing Allotment--Kenya Railways, Nairobi
Raila Bumps Ruto to Higher Education, Science and Technology; Kibaki gets to add Transportation Ministry to Kimunya
“Ruto moved as Raila cracks whip in ODM” headlines the Daily Nation
You might think that Higher Education, Science and Technology would be pretty important for Kenya’s future–and you would be right. But, the Nation is good enough to explain that Agriculture is the plum post because it controls 30 parastatals, whereas Higher Ed, Science and Technology only controls three.
OK, so now we investigate the Maize Scandal, anyone, please . . .
Of course, Hon. Kimunya now gets to bring his standards to Transportation, since no accountability has yet to attach to the Grand Regency Hotel sale scandal. Kibaki cronies have key interests in common carriers in Nairobi.
In a related story, “Raila shaping his political forces for 2012 election”, the Nation asserts:
The power struggle started with Cabinet and other government appointments, was amplified by the fierce opposition to the PM’s drive to clear the Mau forest of illegal encroachment and has seemingly come to a head with the two taking divergent positions on the new constitution.
But for Mr Odinga, taking Mr Ruto down a peg because of the issues they have differed on might be secondary to the longer-term goal of shaping his political forces ahead of 2012 elections.
Good News: Kenya busts unlicensed tourist camps in Maasai Mara
The Government of Kenya has acted to shut down 13 of the unlicensed camps in the Maasai Mara, reports the Business Daily:
This follows an inspection of the reserve last month that established that 80 per cent of the 115 properties are licensed.
Thirteen were operating illegally while others are either being constructed or have been closed for renovation.
“These properties are denying the government revenue and tough action has to taken,” said Tourism minister Najib Balala as he presented the findings of the inspection team.
It was also established that poor governance by group ranches and conservancies, especially in land sub-divisions, had led to a high concentration of facilities in the Koiyiaka and Siana areas.
Most of the affected facilities were tented camps in Siana.
The report also noted that an advertisement put out in the media warning property owners of the impending inspection led to a rush for licences.
Before new World Bank Loan announcement Kenyan Parliament Grills Asst Minister over issue of whether the gov’t is paying costs to the benefit of private shareholders of Kenya Power & Light
From the Official Actions of the Parliament, April 14, 2010 (The Hansard)
QUESTIONS BY PRIVATE NOTICE
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KPLC AND RURAL ELECTRICITY AUTHORITY
Mr. Washiali: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to ask the Minister for Energy, the following
Question by Private Notice.
(a) What is the relationship between Kenya Power and Lighting Company
(KPLC) and Rural Electricity Authority (REA)?
(b) How much money has the Ministry paid to KPLC through the REA since its inception
to date?
(b) Could the Minister also provide details of the amount paid as dividend to the major
shareholders of KPLC since its privatization?
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“Tea party pokes fun at Obama’s rivals”–Daily Nation
Tea party pokes fun at Obama’s rivals
Kenyan Tea Party–a fun public relations idea for DC–just too bad that they would pick as their Kenyan headliner one of the prime reputed suspects in the current ICC investigation.
News from Hargeisa: Somaliland Presidential Election expected for sometime in June
Hargeysa, Somaliland, April 17, 2010 (SL Times) – The Chairman of Somaliland’s Election Commission Eng. Isse Yusuf Haji Muhammad revealed that they expect Somaliland’s presidential election to take place in June 2010. The Chairman gave this information in the context of elaborating on the election code of conduct that was recently signed by Somaliland’s political parties. He made these three points:
1- The electoral commission has done a lot in preparing for the election including opening offices throughout the country and selecting staff.
2- The voting cards will be distributed in the first two weeks of May.
3- The election is expected to be held in June, but the exact date has not been finalized yet.
See “Somaliland Finally Prepares for Presidential Polls” also from the Somaliland Times with additional background.
Somaliland Times editorial on delegation’s visit to White House
Former deputy chairman of parliament raises concern that NGO’s operating in Somaliland might participate in drafting constitution for Somalia in Nairobi and that this would in some way prejudice Somaliland which is not involved.