VZCZCXRO1220
RR RUEHROV
DE RUEHNR #1114 1560706
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050706Z JUN 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9725
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS NAIROBI 001114 
 
DEPT FOR AF/E Driano 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV KE
SUBJECT:  Madaraka Day Celebrations 
 
¶1. SUMMARY:  On June 1 Kenyans celebrated their 46th anniversary of 
self-rule from the British Empire, with Prime Minister Raila Odinga 
and President Mwai Kibaki jointly addressing a mixed crowd of 
supporters.  In comparison to previous years a number of things were 
different about this year's "Madaraka Day," including the absence of 
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.  There was an enhanced military 
parade and cultural entertainment that brought forth Kenya's 
diversity.  Kibaki and Odinga put on a show of unity and in 
unusually clear terms talked about the need to implement the reform 
agenda.  Most Kenyans, however, remain skeptical of politicians' 
willingness to implement significant reform measures.  End Summary. 
¶2. On June 1 Kenyans celebrated their 46th anniversary of self- rule 
from the British Empire, with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and 
President Mwai Kibaki jointly addressing a mixed crowd of 
supporters.  In comparison to previous years a number of things were 
different about this year's "Madaraka Day," including the absence of 
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.  There was an expanded military 
parade and cultural entertainment that brought forth Kenya's 
diversity.  In a departure from two years' ago, the PM spoke and 
introduced the President.  Perhaps conveniently, given the ongoing 
tussle between the PM and Vice President over leadership of 
government business and status within the coalition, the VP was in 
Tripoli representing Kibaki at the Conference of Leaders and Heads 
of States of CEN-SAD summit, Libya. 
¶3. Odinga was well- received, but not as enthusiastically as last 
year.  Odinga spoke in Swahili, and Kibaki spoke in English. 
Surprisingly, and despite the government having filled a big section 
of the stands with a paid cheering section, Kibaki's speech was 
disrupted by a loud disturbance in one section of the stands.  The 
uniformed cheering section tried to drown out the disturbance, and 
security personnel went after the demonstrators.  It took some time 
for the authorities to shut down the disturbance, but Kibaki 
soldiered on.  He spoke exclusively of the economy, the problems, 
the launch of the first phase of Vision 2030, and immediate 
intervention to mitigate the effects of the global downturn 
(particularly job creation for the youth, which got a rousing series 
of cheers from the uniformed cheering section, which presumably has 
already benefitted from this program).  He talked about 
infrastructure development and food security, and will extend the 
favorable tax concessions for food importers. 
¶4. Kibaki focused on both the economy and the reform agenda.  He 
reviewed actions taken by the government to implement the reform 
agenda, and he said significant strides had been made since the 
signing of the National Accord.  He cited as accomplishments the 
establishment of the Kriegler Commission, the Constitutional Review 
Commission, the Waki Commission, and the government's several 
attempts to establish a local tribunal to prosecute perpetrators of 
post-election violence.  The President talked about the need to end 
the culture of impunity.  Kibaki closed by calling for judicial 
reform and funding increases for judges, police, and prisons, and he 
called on the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission to move quickly to 
address corruption.  He stated that the grand coalition is not in 
crisis.  He and Odinga put on a show of unity. 
¶5. Contrary to rumors of possible demonstrations, there was 
generally a peaceful atmosphere, albeit with a heavy police presence 
on the approaches to the celebrations venue, the national stadium. 
The PM and President arrived almost simultaneously and sat next to 
each other, chatting amiably enough.  About half of the Cabinet was 
in attendance in advance of the President's arrival.  His turn 
around the stadium was initially greeted by loud cheers from one 
uniformed cheering section, but the cheers subsided significantly as 
Kibaki passed the public stands.  He inspected the troops, moving at 
a slow but steady pace across the entire football pitch in the 
afternoon sun, vibrant and healthy in appearance. 
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Comment 
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¶6. Kibaki touched in clear terms on a broad range of issues of 
concern to Kenyans, particularly the need for reform.  He addressed 
publicly, for what may be the first time, Kenya's "culture of 
impunity" and the need to combat it.  However, most Kenyans remain 
skeptical about the government's commitment with regard to reform, 
and they are tiring of politicians who say all the right things but 
are slow on real action. 
RANNEBERGER