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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