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UNCLAS NAIROBI 001318 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KDEM PGOV ASEC PTER KE
SUBJECT: KENYA PRESIDENT REOPENS PARLIAMENT: FOCUSES ON 
DEVELOPMENT 
 
 
This message is sensitive but unclassified.  Please handle 
accordingly. 
 
¶1.  (SBU) SUMMARY: Opening the final session of Parliament 
before December's general elections, President Kibaki on 
March 20 delivered a speech strongly focused on his 
government's development accomplishments.  While he noted 
that the government will reintroduce the anti-money 
laundering bill and highlighted the urgent need for improved 
security in the country, Kibaki avoided making any specific 
commitment to constitutional or electoral reform.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) On March 20, President Kibaki presided over the 
opening of Parliament delivering what has become the 
government's re-election refrain: "look what we've done for 
you."  Kibaki's remarks mirrored a publication released on 
February 22 detailing what the government of Kenya has 
accomplished for its citizens.  The annual address is 
traditionally an opportunity for the president to set the 
government's policy and legislative agenda for the coming 
year.  For 2007, Kibaki announced ambitious development 
goals, especially in marginalized regions, while 
acknowledging areas where more attention is required, such as 
insecurity, the judicial system, and transparency. 
 
Poverty, Development and the Economy 
------------------------------------ 
 
¶3.  (U) The bulk of Kibaki's speech was devoted to 
highlighting the government's development accomplishments, in 
particular its well-regarded free primary education program. 
Kibaki also noted successes in rural electrification and 
agricultural production, and announced the government's 
intention to improve the socio-economic status of women 
through a women's enterprise development fund.  Included in 
the list of government successes were initiatives for 
national inclusivity.  Kibaki noted his administration's 
gains in development in northern and coastal Kenya (two 
historically neglected regions).  The president added that 
the government is developing an "Economic Recovery Program" 
for all of Coast Province.  (NOTE: Coast Province is one of 
the more politically contested provinces.  END NOTE.) 
 
¶4.  (U) In support of his government's development record, 
Kibaki highlighted a number of economic indicators.  With 
lower interest rates, a stable exchange rate, and 
"relatively" stable inflation "confidence is at an all-time 
high among local and international investors," Kibaki 
declared.  The president cited growth in several sectors, 
including tourism, which he said earned Kenya 56 billion 
shillings (approximately USD 800 million), and 
communications, with over 7 million cellphone subscribers. 
Kibaki announced that the government is developing "Vision 
Twenty Thirty," a strategy for the country to sustain 10 
percent average growth over the next 25 years. 
 
Troublesome Issues 
------------------ 
 
¶5.  (SBU) Kibaki addressed a number of contentious issues, 
including corruption, the judiciary, insecurity, and 
constitutional reform. 
 
-- To eliminate the "perception of corruption," the President 
pledged to introduce amendments to make officials' wealth 
declarations public.  Kibaki also acknowledged the strong 
performance of "watchdog committees," a reference to the 
Public Accounts Committee's investigation into the massive 
Anglo Leasing corruption scandal and the successful tabling 
in parliament of the subsequent report.  (NOTE: The debating 
of the report in parliament despite protest from some members 
of government was a victory for checks and balances.  END 
NOTE.) 
 
-- The president stated that the government would propose a 
bill for improved judicial autonomy.  In addition, to 
increase the judiciary's capacity, he announced an increase 
in the number of judges from 60 to 200, of which 100 will be 
in the High Court (bringing to total to 150).  (COMMENT: 
While the addition of 140 more judges would help relieve the 
stifling judicial backlog and prison congestion, without a 
corresponding increase in the number of courthouses and 
 
prosecutors, it is meaningless.  END COMMENT.) 
 
-- Kibaki acknowledged the serious problem of insecurity, 
commenting that "Kenya is yet to become a 24-hour economy, 
largely because of concerns about security." 
 
-- Despite optimistic media reports the morning of the speech 
that the President would announce a constitutional reform 
plan in response to opposition demands, he simply repeated 
the anodyne promise to "facilitate a dialogue on the...way 
forward."  (COMMENT: With most Kenyans fatigued of 
constitutional reform after years of false starts, Kibaki's 
dance around the issue only provoked the attention of the 
political class and civil society.  END COMMENT.) 
 
Legislative Agenda 
------------------ 
 
¶6.  (SBU) Among the government's legislative priorities this 
session, Kibaki specifically pledged to re-introduce the 
long-awaited anti-money laundering bill (a top U.S. Mission 
CT priority) and table a political parties bill.  (NOTE: The 
draft bill is yet to be published but is likely to contain 
provisions for party financing and an increased number of 
nominated parliamentary seats for women.  END NOTE.)  The 
president stated that the government will formalize the 
creation of 62 new districts.  (COMMENT: Which will include, 
consequently, the appointment of 62 new District 
Commissioners - a useful patronage opportunity as the 
election approaches.  END COMMENT.) 
 
¶7.  (SBU) COMMENT: Kibaki has proposed an ambitious agenda 
for this session of parliament during which politicians on 
all sides are sure to be distracted by election campaigns. 
Although forthright in acknowledging some of the challenges 
his government faces from insecurity and regional inequities, 
Kibaki avoided making any specific commitment to 
constitutional reform.  With respect to Mission priorities, 
we can be pleased that Kibaki made explicit mention of 
anti-money laundering legislation (a top U.S. Mission 
counter-terrorism priority), raising its profile with Kenyan 
parliamentarians and giving us an open door through which to 
lend our support.  END COMMENT. 
RANNEBERGER