VZCZCXYZ0004
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #3676/01 2601352
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171352Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2301
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2316
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 2387

UNCLAS NAIROBI 003676 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E 
 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KPAO KE
SUBJECT:  AMBASSADOR'S SPEECH ON DIVERSITY, DEMOCRACY, AND 
DEVELOPMENT 
 
¶1.   As part of continuing outreach on key issues, on September 10 
in Mombasa Ambassador Ranneberger delivered a policy speech entitled 
"Diversity, Democracy, and Development."  The speech was intended 
both to convey U.S. views on this important topic and to stimulate 
thought among Kenyans in the lead-up to the elections later this 
year.  The speech discussed extensively the challenges Americans 
have experienced in accommodating diversity and the relevance of 
some of those experiences for Kenya.  The speech raised questions 
for consideration. 
 
¶2.   The speech was extensively covered by the media, and public 
reaction has been very favorable.  The Ambassador followed up the 
speech with two hour-long radio call-in program (one for the Muslim 
audience) in Mombasa the next morning and with an hour-long 
primetime live television interview in Nairobi with the nation's 
most popular commentator later in the week. 
 
¶3.   Oddly, the government has been remarkably silent.  Just prior 
to delivering the speech, the Ambassador received a call from a 
senior minister - clearly calling on behalf of the government - 
urging caution.  Saying that some comments could easily be 
misconstrued (the government was provided an advance copy of the 
text), the minister worried that it could be seen as 
anti-government.  As is evident from the text, the speech is 
strictly neutral in political terms, and the Ambassador pointed that 
out.  The call reflects, however, that the Kibaki team may feel 
somewhat more vulnerable than is generally thought.  One of the 
principal themes of the speech - the dangers of tribal politics - 
touches sensitivities in the pro-government forces (perceived as 
dominated by Kikuyus) and in the primary opposition party (perceived 
as dominated by Luos). 
 
¶4.  Media coverage was extensive.  Electronic media carried on 
drive-time radio the next morning and during mid-day TV new reports. 
 The three major papers gave it good coverage and commentary, 
including large excerpts of the text. 
 
¶5.  Begin text of speech entitled Democracy, Diversity, and 
Development:  The Kenyan and American Experiences.  Delivered at the 
Mombasa Club September 10, 2007 by United States Ambassador Michael 
¶E. Ranneberger: 
 
Good evening ladies and gentlemen.  Asalaam Aleikum. 
 
Asante sana kwa kunikaribisha hapa Mombasa.  Thank you for welcoming 
me to Mombasa. 
 
I would especially like to thank the Rotary Club of Mombasa for 
inviting me to the prestigious and historic Mombasa Club on the eve 
of the Muslim holy season to discuss the crucial importance of 
diversity to enhance democracy and development.  I believe that this 
is at the heart of our religious traditions and societies, and 
animates the strong and expanding partnership between the United 
States and Kenya.  Diversity, democracy, and development are 
inter-related in the Kenyan and American experiences to build free 
and prosperous nations. 
 
Democracy is always a work in progress to achieve great ideals.  Let 
us remember that intellectual leaders have been struggling with this 
for many centuries.  Aristotle in the 4th century B.C. in his famous 
book "Politics" said:  "If liberty and equality, as is thought by 
some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best 
attained when all persons alike share in the government to the 
utmost."  There the ideal goal is stated clearly, but there are no 
easy answers regarding how this can be achieved.  We can, however, 
profit from sharing our respective experiences in dealing with the 
inter-related issues of diversity, democracy, and development. 
Demokrasia ni majadiliano.  Democracy is a dialogue.  As Professor 
Peter Wanyande of the University of Nairobi told the Electoral 
Commission of Kenya in March:  "Democracy is a way of life.  It is 
also a skill to be able to give and take, to understand and 
compromise.  Dialogue is the foundation of democracy." 
 
As the elections approach in Kenya and in the spirit of dialogue, I 
thought it might be timely and useful to offer my modest 
observations and to draw some possible lessons for consideration. 
 
-- The United States and Kenya are blessed by very diverse 
populations. 
 
-- Both our nations strive to live up to high democratic ideals 
within the context of that diversity. 
 
-- Our two nations have suffered setbacks when political leaders 
have sought to set one group of citizens against another - 
exploiting racial, religious, ethnic, and tribal sentiments -- in 
 
selfish efforts to acquire and hold power. 
 
-- History has demonstrated that our nations progress economically 
and politically when diversity is acknowledged and celebrated rather 
than exploited. 
 
-- Although much progress has been made, the citizens of our two 
nations have yet to fully appreciate that our diversity is our 
strength; that from it comes much of the dynamism and creativity 
that characterizes both the United States and Kenya. 
 
The greatness - and the greatest crises - of American history is 
largely a reflection of how we have struggled to build democracy on 
the basis of great diversity, and how this effort has in turn 
affected our economic and political development. Women were barred 
from voting in most states until 1920. The indigenous population of 
the United States did not acquire citizenship and voting rights 
until 1924. We could cite many instances of immigrants being 
disenfranchised or impeded from participating fully in the 
democratic process.  However, the fight against slavery and the 
struggle for the attainment of full civil rights by 
African-Americans posed the greatest challenge to match democratic 
practice with democratic ideals in the United States. 
 
The terribly bloody civil war in the United States waged over the 
issues of slavery and secession was a watershed in our history 
because it was fought precisely over the principle that democracy 
must be a united effort involving all the people.  As President 
Abraham Lincoln stated in his Gettysburg Address, the war was fought 
to affirm a government of, by, and for the people - all the people. 
When the slaves were freed following the civil war, however, much of 
the white population of the southern United States, including in my 
native state of Maryland, harbored for generations deep resentment 
against the United States Government. Many white politicians in the 
region encouraged and exploited racist sentiments for selfish 
political purposes.  Southerners pursued policies to segregate 
blacks from whites, and to prevent them from voting. Racism was 
justified in the name of safeguarding so-called "distinct traditions 
and culture."  Black Americans in the South were subjected to 
unspeakable violence and injustice.  The notorious "Ku Klux Klan" 
effectively operated as a clandestine militia to maintain white 
supremacy. It was only after years of struggle during the Civil 
Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s that African-Americans began 
to be able to fully enter the political and economic life of their 
country. 
 
Against the backdrop of this American experience, it must be 
acknowledged that Kenyans have done a better job in many instances 
at accommodating diversity than the United States had done at a 
comparable stage in its history.  Yet, American experience of 
politicians focusing on ethnic and racial groups highlights some of 
the concerns that many Kenyans share and the questions they are 
asking.  Some of those questions include: 
 
-- In order to enhance their own power and influence, are Kenyan 
politicians tempted to - or do they in fact -- encourage tribal, 
regional, and religious communities to feel resentment and 
alienation from their fellow Kenyans? 
 
-- Does this dangerously mislead some groups to think that they are 
economically, intellectually, or socially superior to others? 
 
-- Does this lead to a "zero sum" approach to democracy and 
development in which one community benefits economically and 
politically to the detriment of the interest of the nation as a 
whole? 
 
-- Has this in turn led to the creation of informal militias - like 
the "Mungiki" and others -- to advance the ends of one ethnic group 
against another? 
 
-- Is it at the feet of these politicians that some of the 
responsibility for insecurity must be laid? 
 
-- Is there a direct correlation between the exploitation of tribal 
divisions and the seemingly endemic corruption that plagues Kenyan 
society on so many levels? 
 
-- And would that corruption end if all people felt that they had an 
equal share in the government, society, education, income, commerce, 
and institutions of the country? 
 
As you consider the answers to these questions, I want to call 
attention to some American experiences which may shed light on the 
challenges Kenyans face. 
 
First, the racism that plagued the southern part of the United 
States for so many decades severely retarded the economic 
development of that region.  The northern and western regions of the 
country, which embraced diversity to a much greater extent and did a 
better job of bringing all groups into the economy, surged ahead and 
became hugely prosperous.   However, it has only been in the last 40 
years that the southern states have begun to honor their varied 
cultural heritage and allowed the participation of the entire 
population in the political and economic process.  As a direct 
result, the southern states are now prospering, with centers of 
excellence in education, business, medicine, and politics.  Our last 
two presidents, as well as our present Secretary of State, came from 
that region. Kenyans are also discovering that exploitation of 
tribal divisions and failure to take a national approach to 
development priorities have impeded economic progress.  A program 
that improves the road infrastructure throughout the nation will, 
for example, benefit all regions economically and increase revenue 
for national programs in education, health, and other areas. 
 
The rich Kenyan heritage of over 42 cultural communities represents 
diversity that is one of Kenya's greatest strengths.  We Americans 
can benefit from studying Kenya's experience, and all Kenyans would 
benefit from more deeply appreciating the traditions of their own 
community and of the communities of their fellow citizens.  Reading 
about the history of Kenya, I have learned about the origin of 
"negative tribalism" in Kenya's politics. Although the communities 
that make up Kenya have lived together under one political 
administration since the establishment of the British East Africa 
Protectorate in 1895, the policies of the colonial government were 
based on ethnic favoritism to the detriment of the African 
population. This bred resentment between groups of Kenyans. Kenyan 
leaders seeking to reconcile rival ethnic communities were 
considered dangerous subversives by the colonial government. In 
order to sustain their power, it was essential for the colonial 
administration to keep the various indigenous communities divided, 
mutually suspicious, and resentful of one another. 
 
Some politicians still see themselves as "owning" their ethnic 
community. Too few politicians offer voters policy programs for the 
nation. Many do not bother to discuss how they will use their office 
to build a better Kenya, but instead promise increased resources 
only for their favored community. Many politicians still practice 
the politics of "divide and rule," encouraging hostility, fear, 
resentment and alienation among communities. It is up to the Kenyan 
people to determine which leaders are enlightened and are seeking to 
develop Kenya in all its diversity, and who are those mired in 
tribal politics to the detriment of the national interest. 
 
Second, the American federal system helps balance national and local 
interests in a way that protects diversity and encourages 
development.  Although Americans often say that "all politics are 
local," meaning that voters tend to vote on the basis of economic 
and political issues that affect their region and ethnic groups as 
well, most citizens in my country think of themselves first and 
foremost as Americans, not as residents of a particular state. 
Democracy, whether in the U.S. or in Kenya, must be about advancing 
the national interest by empowering people at the grass-roots level. 
 Americans know that national policies will have a huge impact on 
their regional economies.   One means of overcoming tribally-based 
politics in Kenya is through devolution of power and revenue to 
local communities with appropriate safeguards to protect local 
minorities.  This would help negate the effects of zero-sum 
politics, where one tribal group is seen to be dominating resources 
and would help give all communities a greater stake in the outcome 
of national elections.  It is worth asking whether Kenyan voters 
will insist that presidential candidates declare their positions 
with respect to making constitutional reform a priority if they are 
elected. 
 
Third, while many white southerners did not support racist policies 
and the Ku Klux Klan, they feared to stand up against it and they 
refused to cooperate with the government to combat it. Southern 
politicians did not need to deliver good governance and economic 
development to get re-elected.  All they needed to do was to keep 
their voters uneducated and alienated, and then present themselves 
as defenders of southern culture and tradition against a hostile 
central government. 
 
It took the leadership of a brave and inspiring religious leader, 
the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to overthrow this system 
of oppression and bad governance. He did so through a non-violent 
movement that emphasized the dignity of the oppressed black 
minority, appealed to the conscience of the white majority, and 
forced the central government to uphold its responsibility to 
enforce the rights enshrined in our constitution. The movement also 
profoundly reformed southern politics, making improved governance 
 
possible. The civil rights movement heralded a political and 
economic renaissance for the southern part of the United States. 
 
While much remains to be done, the substantial progress that has 
been made reflects what can be achieved when diversity is 
constructively accommodated in a democratic society and becomes an 
engine of its development. Kenyans face the same challenge in 
standing up against tribally-based politics and in ensuring greater 
accountability by politicians. 
 
Fourth, the American experience demonstrates that widespread 
education is key to promoting appreciation of the importance of 
diversity for democracy and development.  Education helps instill 
understanding of human rights, of the principles of democracy, of 
the nature of economic development, and of the reality of diversity 
in our societies.  Schools, especially universities, bring together 
students from across the country and allow them to see, hear, and 
appreciate that their ethnic and regional differences melt away in 
the classroom and in their lives. The fact that education is 
expanding so rapidly in Kenya and the already high functional 
literacy rate of over 70 percent bode well for the future of this 
country.   Overcoming tribally-based politics begins with the 
educated individual voter.  That is why the United States and other 
countries are providing substantial assistance for voter education 
and awareness.  Kenya will more quickly achieve its national 
development goals when more voters insist on leadership sincerely 
committed to a national, rather than narrowly-based tribal, approach 
to government and economic management. 
Fifth, the U.S. and Kenyan experiences highlight the generally 
positive impact of generational change on the evolution of 
democratic societies.  Thomas Jefferson, one of the most influential 
American founding fathers, believed that each generation would have 
to, in effect, reinvent the American democratic system.  When one 
considers the 27 amendments to the U.S. constitution and the many 
crises we have endured, he has been proven right.   In coming years 
- note that I am not referring to this election -- the generational 
change underway in Kenya will provide opportunities to enhance the 
Kenyan democratic system by dealing more boldly and effectively with 
three of the great challenges confronting it:  the need to overcome 
tribally-based politics, corruption, and gender inequity.   New 
voices being heard in civil society, religion, the media, the 
business sector, academia, and the professions will, in the coming 
years, play a crucial role in shaping the nation.  It is important 
to note that here, as in the U.S., the voices of women are being 
heard with greater force. 
 
A sixth but very important insight from the American and Kenyan 
experiences is that encouraging "unity in diversity" strengthens the 
moderate mainstream of democratic societies and isolates extremists 
of all stripes.  The demise of the Ku Klux Klan is one example of 
this.  At the same time, however, the very freedom that democratic 
societies like the U.S. and Kenya cherish will provide the 
opportunity for other extremist groups to arise.  The worst act of 
terrorism in the United States prior to 9/11 was committed by one 
such group, led by Timothy McVeigh, an American. This was the 
bombing of the Federal government building in Oklahoma City in 1995. 
 According to McVeigh's beliefs, his act of terrorism, which took 
the lives of 168 people, including many children at a day care 
center, was committed in the defense of "white Christian America." 
Yet white Christian Americans, just like all other Americans, were 
outraged by this atrocity.  Instead of promoting rebellion, his 
heinous act stimulated Americans to pull together to repudiate 
extremist views. 
 
America's experience with extremist groups highlights the fact that 
no one should take seriously the deranged justifications of 
terrorists, and that the moderate mainstream must unite to repudiate 
these.  There can be no compromise with those who threaten the 
civilized world. This is worth remembering by those who misguidedly 
accuse the United States Government of engaging in a war against the 
religion of Islam, a faith whose members have contributed so very 
much to world civilization.  In fact, Muslims are an increasingly 
important part of the diversity of the United States, just as they 
are a very important part of the diversity of Kenya.   Islam is the 
fastest growing religion in the United States and Muslim leaders are 
starting to make their voices heard, but they are doing so as part 
of a unified nation that cherishes its diversity.   Respect for 
diversity in Kenya will require the full participation of the Muslim 
community - and all other marginalized groups -- in the political 
and economic life of the country.  This means addressing the 
legitimate questions Muslims and other groups in Kenya have raised 
regarding marginalization.  At the same time, Muslim leaders share 
responsibility for incorporating Muslims more fully into political 
and economic processes.  Their role in standing up for the rights of 
Muslims must be respected, but so too must they speak out 
unequivocally against those radicals and extremists who reject 
 
Islamic teachings on peaceful and just conduct. 
 
Accommodating diversity, whether in the United States or in Kenya, 
is one of the determining factors to strengthen democracy and foster 
economic growth.  The recent fierce debate regarding immigration 
legislation reflects the challenges we still face as Americans in 
that regard.  I believe that Kenya has made enormous progress during 
the past five years.  The very fact that there is so much discussion 
about the dangers of tribally-based politics is a healthy sign of 
the maturing of Kenyan democracy.   The democratic openness of the 
society and the expansion of education are laying the groundwork for 
accelerated change.  The fact that the economic growth rate has 
increased so substantially during the past five years is related to 
the fact that all Kenyans are participating more fully in the 
economy, although wealth is still far too concentrated in the hands 
of too few individuals, and not distributed sufficiently to the 
benefit of all tribal groups and regions. 
 
Kenya's agenda for diversity, democracy, and development - the 3 Ds 
- over the next five years will be determined largely by the outcome 
of this year's elections.  These elections are pivotal to Kenya's 
future economic prosperity and democratic well-being.  Regardless of 
the outcome, the U.S.-Kenyan partnership will continue to expand 
because it is based on shared values.  I have great confidence in 
the commitment of the Kenyan people to a shared democratic future. 
Kenyans will, I believe, work out the best way to accommodate the 
rich diversity of their country and to harness that diversity to 
drive the process of economic development and democratic 
consolidation. 
 
Much as the United States takes pride in its single government 
derived from many peoples, there is your own Swahili saying:  Umoja 
ni nguvu! In unity there is strength!  Your society, mine, and other 
democracies will continue to struggle to accommodate diversity. 
 
In closing, I want to take this opportunity to wish our Muslim 
brothers and sisters an inspiring and fulfilling Ramadhan season. 
Ramahdan Kareem. Thank you and Mungu Awabariki.  God bless you. 
Asanteni sana. 
 
End text. 
RANNEBERGER