R 171338Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8492
INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 
AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI 
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 
AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 
AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM

UNCLAS NAIROBI 000285 
 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E Driano 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO PGOV PREL KE
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S "THE KENYA WE WANT" REMARKS 
 
¶1. As reported Septel, the coalition government sponsored a 
conference called "One Kenya, One Dream: The Kenya We Want" 
from February 4-6 as a forum to discuss the issues which 
surfaced during the post-electoral violence, and the 
coalition's reform agenda to address these.  The Ambassador 
was asked to present a keynote speech, which follows in 
para 2.  The Ambassador's remarks, along with those of the 
President, Prime Minister, and Vice President were carried 
live on national television. 
 
¶2. Begin Text of Ambassador's Remarks: 
 
It is a great honor and privilege to be invited to speak at 
this timely conference which brings Kenyans together to map 
out "The Kenya We Want."  I commend the coalition 
government for fostering dialogue at a critical junction in 
the nation's history. 
 
What the United States wants for Kenya is what Kenyans want 
for themselves: a prosperous democratic future that will 
advance the well-being of all Kenyans. 
 
The crisis that Kenya suffered last year was a watershed 
that brought into sharp relief the underlying problems that 
have plagued the country for nearly 50 years:  ethnic 
politics, inequitable distribution of wealth, and the 
culture of impunity that has enabled violence and 
corruption to proliferate.  As a friend and partner of 
Kenya, my country played a role in helping to resolve the 
crisis and form the coalition government.  But, as I have 
said before, it is the Kenyan people themselves who played 
the most important role in ending the crisis. 
 
Demonstrating a true democratic spirit that reflected high 
expectations, the Kenyan people mobilized as never before: 
ordinary Kenyans, civil society, religious groups, the 
private sector, and the media all played important roles. 
The dynamic and vigorous way in which Kenyans came together 
surprised the political class and created pressure for 
compromise. 
 
Having traveled the length and breadth of this country 
since then, I am convinced that this unprecedented 
democratic spirit is still alive.  The Kenyan people 
realize that the fundamental problems unmasked by the 
crisis must be addressed through fundamental change.  The 
vehicle for producing that change is the reform agenda 
agreed to by the coalition government. 
 
That reform agenda is far-reaching, embracing 
constitutional revision, establishment of an independent 
electoral commission, and creation of a Special Tribunal to 
investigate and, if warranted by the evidence, try those 
suspected of involvement in post-electoral violence.  The 
reform agenda also embraces land reform, police reform, and 
the fight against corruption, among other areas. 
 
Although this is a very ambitious agenda, I believe it can 
be carried out if the leaders of the coalition government 
demonstrate the political will to do so, and if the Kenyan 
people demand action.  There can be no return to the ways 
of the past, and the culture of impunity must not be 
allowed to persist.  Half measures - whether with respect 
to institutional reforms or to fighting the scourge of 
corruption - will not be credible to the Kenyan people or 
to the international community.  We stand with the Kenyan 
people who are insisting that the corruption cases which 
have come to light be fully investigated and perpetrators 
prosecuted.  It is not a question of rounding up the usual 
suspects and rearranging positions, and then doing business 
as usual. The tragic crisis of last year has opened up an 
unparalled opportunity to bring about fundamental change - 
and I believe that nothing less than fundamental change 
will satisfy the Kenyan people. 
 
If carried out, that change will lay the basis for stronger 
democratic institutions and a better future for all 
Kenyans.  There is in fact no alternative to the reform 
agenda, for without it Kenya faces the specter of even 
greater trouble in the future, and none of us want to see 
that.  While ethnic attitudes and the culture of impunity 
cannot be altered overnight, implementation of the reform 
agenda will launch a process of fundamental change and give 
Kenyans confidence in the future of their great country. 
 
In thinking about the agenda for fundamental change in 
Kenya, I want to recall what then Senator Obama said when 
he addressed students at the University of Nairobi in 2006: 
The United States will assist in the implementation of the 
reform agenda.  Let there be no doubt:  the Kenyan people 
and the United States expect to see results.  While Kenya's 
leaders must demonstrate the necessary vision and political 
will, you the Kenyan people must drive implementation by 
exercising your democratic rights in a peaceful way.  We 
will stand by your side as you do so. 
 
End Text. 
 
RANNEBERGER