Biden tells Kenyans to shun divisive politics

[Geza Ulole]

Biden tells Kenyans to shun divisive politics

Wed Jun 9, 2010 11:05am GMT
By David Lewis

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyans must overcome cynicism and resist efforts to divide and instil fear in their country, which has for long been held back by corrupt politicians, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said in Nairobi on Wednesday.

East Africa's leading economy is recovering from the effects of post-election violence in 2008 when different ethnic groups turned on each other, killing 1,300 people.

Kenyans are scheduled to vote in a referendum on August 4 on whether to adopt a new constitution that is seen as helping to reduce the chances of future fighting by reducing the powers of the president and bring in other reforms.

"As you prepare to write a new history for your nation, resist those who try and divide you based on ethnicity, or religion, or region and above all, fear," Joe Biden said, referring to a new constitution.

"Fear is a tool as old as mankind and it has been used with great effect in this country in the past. For too long opportunistic politicians have created an all or nothing system."

Many Kenyans complain bitterly about unchecked corruption they say pervades all levels of government despite repeated promises by their leaders to root it out.

Graft watchdog Transparency International ranks Kenya as the most corrupt nation in east Africa.

In October the United States banned Kenya's Attorney General Amos Wako from travelling to the United States, citing his obstruction of the fight against corruption, and said it was considering similar action against three more prominent Kenyans.

Biden said the country had failed to prosecute top officials implicated in the widespread corruption scandals.
"Too many of your resources have been lost to corruption. And not a single high-level official has ever been held accountable for these crimes," Biden said in a speech.

"Too many of your institutions have lost the people's confidence, and too many times Kenya has been divided against itself, torn apart by ethnic tensions manipulated by leaders who have placed their own interests above their countries."

No one has been brought to book for the violence caused growth to tumble to 1.6 percent in 2008 from 7.0 percent in the previous year.

The International Criminal Court has said it will prosecute up to six Kenyans who were most responsible and could name chief suspects later this year.

Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.


Biden tells Kenyans to shun divisive politics | Reuters.com

 

[Geza Ulole]

I did not see this from the Nation, so who should i trust? Reuters or Nation?

 

[Mpeni sifa Yesu]

mhmss

 

[Jasusi]

I did not see this from the Nation, so who should i trust? Reuters or Nation?

Geza Ulole,
Reuters ni news agency. Wana post stories zao immediately kwenye mtandao. Daily Nation is a daily paper. Watakuwa na hii story kwenye
edition ya kesho.

 

[nomasana]

I did not see this from the Nation, so who should i trust? Reuters or Nation?

geza ulale or ulole or whatever the bullcrap u call yourself, it is not wrong to call you stupid. you jump into conclusions, you get excited (like a dog chasing a tire) over stuff u do not understand. u accused nationmedia of not posting those words by MR. Biden, while nation.co.ke had the video clip of the exact same words posted on its website. GEZA, WILL YOU NOW BE A MAN ENOUGH AND ADMIT THAT U JUMPED INTO CONCLUSIONS?

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Joe Biden with his wife and daughter arrive at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, June 7th, 2010

Journalists had to keep their tools down as they awaited the arrival of Joe Biden, the Vice president of the United States of America, at the Jomo Kenyatta international Airport in Nairobi, June 7th, 2010

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Kenyans have power to bring change, says Biden​

US Vice President Joe Biden delivers a public lecture at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, June 9, 2010. He told Kenyans that the power to effect change rests with them

​

By ANTHONY KARIUKI
Posted Wednesday, June 9 2010 at 11:01


United States Vice President Joe Biden has said the power to bring about change in Kenya rests with its people.

He said that while the cooperation between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in supporting the proposed constitution is encouraging it is upon Kenyans to bring about change.

"The power rests with you," he told the gathering at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi during a town hall meeting Wednesday.

Wind of change

He said that the wind of change is blowing across Africa and Kenyans should grasp the opportunity.

"You are the keystone of Africa, it is up to you, it is up to the Kenyan people," he said.

Mr Biden said it was not "his business how Kenyans will vote" at the August 4 referendum, but urged them to seize the moment to bring change.

"You are the best hope for this country," he said.

He told Kenyans not to rely on their leaders to bring change saying they can only facilitate it.

"Change will not come from the top but from you."

He told his audience that the US Government could not dictate to a section of its elected leaders on what to say about the Kenya constitutional review process.


"It is one of the drawbacks of democracy," he said in reference to reports that American right wing groups are supporting Kenya religious leaders efforts to shoot down the proposed constitution.

Defeat new law

Kenya Churches are against the clause on abortion that allows a health professional to terminate a pregnancy if the woman's health is in danger and reports indicate that they are getting funds from US anti-abortionists to defeat the new law.

"Do not confuse that with the position of the US President, US Vice President and US Government," he said in answer to the Rev Timothy Njoya question on the issue.

Mr Biden said the envisaged change can only happen when a government is participatory, accountable and democratic.

He said this can only happen when corrupt leaders are held to account and the rule of law is adhered to.

The US VP urged Kenyans to embrace these values so as to attract foreign investment that will reshape the country's economy.

"We are hopeful, Barack Obama is hopeful, I am hopeful that you will carry out these reforms to allow money to flow."

Blunt criticism

Mr Biden said the US-Kenya relations was one of the most important in the continent saying that if the US seems blunt in its criticism of Kenya it is because it cares

He thanked Kenya for hosting millions of refugees from neighbouring Somalia and taking a leading role in the fight against piracy off the Indian Ocean saying the US will continue to offer support for the efforts.

On Tuesday, the US VP said he was optimistic that the implementation of the reform agenda, which began after the signing of the National Accord, will be successfully concluded.

"I have never been this optimistic of the country's ability to move the reform process forward... Kenya's best days are yet to come," he said.

Mr Biden is on a three-day tour of Kenya and will fly to South Africa for the official opening of the 2010 Fifa World Cup on Friday.

Daily Nation:

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Workers at the State house put final touches to the red carpet before the arrival of US vice president Joe Biden on June 8,2010.Biden said the US was optimistic that Kenya's reform process will be a success

United States of America vice president Joe Biden's security detail on guard at the Sate House on June 8,2010. Biden said the US was optimistic that Kenya's reform process will be a success.

Security personnel watch over at Intercontinental Hotel on 8th June 2010 which is a no-go zone where the USA Vice president, Joe Biden is staying.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

United States of America vice president Joe Biden chats with President Mwai Kibaki as Prime minister Raila Odinga (left) and vice President Kalonzo Musyoka(right) look on June 8,2010.Biden said the US was optimistic that Kenya's reform process will be a success.​

 

[Nyaralego]

Teacher teacher teacher...ahsante mkuu kwa hizo picha.

 

[Ab-Titchaz]

Teacher teacher teacher...ahsante mkuu kwa hizo picha.

Karibu sana dadangu.Nimeipenda hio ya Biden na mkono wake on Agwambo's shoulder. Raila is the man
in Kenya's politics right now...Kalonzo is really wishing it were him.

 

[Nyaralego]

Karibu sana dadangu.Nimeipenda hio ya Biden na mkono wake on Agwambo's shoulder. Raila is the man
in Kenya's politics right now...Kalonzo is really wishing it were him.

kweli...Agwambo ndo mwisho wa reli...I am suspecting that Biden was on a special misson to lay down their expectations with the new constitution and also in rgards to the elections 2012. I think US wameshampick mtu wao...aki we are so beholden to America. Lakini if that is what's gonna work so be it. Kalonzo (pawn) is just like an onlooker. Aki politics is dirty.