VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNR #2598 3511400
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 171359Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0151
INFO RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI

UNCLAS NAIROBI 002598 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM KE SW WEU
SUBJECT: EU Troika Pushes on Kenya Reform 
 
¶1.  Summary: Gunilla Carlsson, Sweden's Minister for International 
Development Cooperation, headed an EU Troika one-day visit to Kenya 
to push for reform.  Carlsson pushed on the need for implementation 
of the reform agenda, urged greater political will on the part of 
the government to engage on reforms, called on the Kenyan people to 
be more active to push for reform, and supported Kofi Annan's 
efforts to advance reforms in Kenya. The Troika visit reflects 
somewhat increased EU efforts to press for implementation of 
reforms. End Summary. 
 
 
 
¶2.  Gunilla Carlsson, Sweden's Minister for International 
Development Cooperation, headed an EU Troika one-day visit to Kenya 
to push for reform. She met with President Kibaki, Foreign Minister 
Moses Wetangula, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, and 
Minister for Internal Security George Saitoti.  Carlsson also met 
with civil society representatives and others.  At a press 
conference, she urged Kenya's political leaders to recommit to 
reforms and work together, in particular to achieve consensus on a 
new constitution. 
 
 
 
¶3.  In her public and private remarks Carlsson urged Kenya's 
leaders to fast track reform, end impunity, and cooperate fully 
with the International Criminal Court (ICC).  She expressed concern 
over the failure of the government to establish a local tribunal to 
prosecute perpetrators of post-election violence.  She said Kenya 
must cooperate with the ICC, which includes ensuring adequate 
protection for witnesses.  "It is the responsibility of the State 
to protect them," she said. She said the EU strongly supports 
Annan's efforts in pushing for implementation of reforms. 
 
 
 
¶4.  Importantly, her comments reflected an intensification of EU 
efforts to press for implementation of reforms.  She emphasized 
that reforms must be "implemented urgently," and before the end of 
¶2010. The Troika mission took place in the context of increased EU 
efforts to press on the reform agenda.  Recently, the Swedish 
Ambassador and EC Mission head publicly condemned forces resisting 
implementation of reforms.  They publicly urged the Kenyan people 
to press for reform and urged civil society to take the lead to 
foster change.  They also stated that the EU would increase 
financial aid to organizations fighting for change in Kenya and 
added that "the consensus within the EU was that non-state actors 
should be facilitated to spur change." 
RANNEBERGER