MESSAGE TO THE LATE KENYAN SENATOR MUTULA KILONZO

How sad, Lawyer Mutula Kilonzo,

That you are gone, shockingly so soon,

Before you could help implement the constitution,

And its Integrity and devolution provisions,

That you fought so hard to have implemented;

We don’t yet know what sent you to the grave so early

And we may never know for sure, like in other cases before,

But we have a message for you to bravely bear

To the great Kenyans who went before you.

Please tell Pio Gama Pinto, JM Kariuki, Tom Mboya, Robert Ouko,

That the Commissions set up to unravel cause of their deaths,
never yielded any results of their deaths to date,

And most of the witnesses and associated investigators,

Also went, in circumstances that were not any different.

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC),

That was supposed to help bring change and heal the nation

Has manipulated the views of Kenyan and gone to bed with the oppressors

Tell Jaramogi that, as he wrote many years ago,

It is Not Yet Uhuru in Kenya, 50 year on,

And that despite him fighting so hard to create democratic space,

His son Raila, who suffered long years in detention,

Lost his bid, a third time, again to become the president

And that IEBC and the Supreme Court, did not help either,

In advancing confidence in our democratic growth,

Instead, made the country more deeply divided.

Tell Wangari Maathai, that Raila lost his bid for the presidency,

Partly because he defended the conservation of the Mau Complex

And now we are not sure if Karura will survive much longer

No environmental champion has emerged to replace her.

Tell former ECK Chairman Samwel Kivuitu and his former deputy Kihara Mutu

That IEBC led by Isaack Hassan, did not perform any better,

And are again in the eye of the storm, for failing the digital exams

That this time, Raila took his protests to The Supreme Court,

That gave, in three minutes, a brilliant summary judgment,

 But is now itself crying for justice from the social media bloggers

Tell Jomo Kenyatta, that his son Uhuru,  is back to State House
Where he grew up and got shielded from the experiences of most Kenyans

And that like his father, has settled on a Kalenjin V.P, William Ruto

To bring lasting peace and sort out the land question for good

And make the Kalenjin and Kikuyus, forever sing in solidarity and live peacefully.

Tell Michuki matatu manambas no longer dress in uniform,

And that the famous snake he talked about,

Has bitten many people who have rattled it.

Tell Karume, that his former defense portfolio

Has been given to a woman, Rachelle Omamo,

And that our soldiers are now in Somalia, pursuing the Al- Shabab.

Tell Saitoti and Ojode, that pilot error causes d their deaths

And Kaplana Raval, whose committee investigated their deaths,

Will replace Nancy Baraza as the Deputy Chief Justice
and that finally, Uhuru Kenyatta was elected the president

As former President Moi ably advised Kenyans in 2002,
Mohammed Ali and John Allan Namu of Jicho Pevu finally
Gave us an expose, informing us that the two of them, were killed.

Please tell the late Knut Secretary General Ambrose Adeya  Adongo

Teachers are still waiting for their pay hike he pushed for in 97

And tell Wamalwa Kijana his famous brother Eugene

Got lost and Mudavadi was named “madimoni” and

So the Luhya community lacks leadership.

Tell Masinde Muliro that Muliro Gardens in Kakamega,

Is now is an open air lodging, and a moral eye sore.

Tell Bishops Alexander Muge and John Henry Okullu,

That the Church lost its moral authority and momentum,

To speak about democracy and reform,

And now peddle falsehood and promote ethnicity

Rest in peace  Wakili Mutula Kilonzo. AMEN!

Media body calls for enhanced security for journalists and respect for labour rights

Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has sent a message of solidarity with the media fraternity in Kenya, the Eastern African Region and globally in marking the 2013 World Press Freedom Day being marked on May 3.

In a statement, KCA noted with concern that the Kenyan media environment had over the last one year recorded increasing cases of threats to the safety and security of journalists and general disregard for their labour rights.

At least 25 journalists have reported various forms of threats to their security and safety in different parts of the country over the last six months, the statement said.

Some of these threats have been reported in the media and statements recorded with the police but a number of threats have remained less pronounced but serious enough to undermine the freedom of journalists in the performance of their duties.

The threats have been recorded from security agencies, state officials, political leaders and their supporters, drug traffickers and other actors, in the process creating a climate of fear and intimidation among journalists in the course of their work.

A number of journalists were threatened or treated with hostility during the Tana River Clashes at the Kenya Coast. In Mombasa in late March this year, a journalist with the Star Newspaper, Bernard Wesonga died under circumstances which require further investigations.

Another journalist with the Star Newspaper Habil Onyango was beaten up and his camera confiscated by security forces during the March General Elections in Homabay in Western Kenya while a number of his colleagues in both Homabay and Migori towns in the region also reported various forms of threats in the last quarter of this year.

A number of journalists in North Rift have for some time now been under threat and active surveillance of shadowy groups over the media coverage of the 2007-8 Post Election Violence and subsequent reporting of International Criminal Court (ICC) related cases and proceedings.

There have been renewed threats to some of the journalists in that region after the March 4, General Elections following the election of Uhuru Kenyatta as president and William Ruto as his deputy. The two are currently facing charges at the ICC and the earlier threats were related to their cases.

KCA urges the Uhuru-Ruto government to guarantee the safety and security of all the journalists who may have reported or will continue to report on the ICC cases and to take urgent measures to investigate any threats, both past and present against the journalists, and deter any overzealous supporters who may take advantage of their being in power to intimidate journalists.

Investigative reporters, KTN’s Mohammed Ali and John Allan Namu have recently received death threats following an exposé on the station which showed a possible foul play in the death of former internal security minister and his deputy George Saitoti and Orwa Ojode respectively.

A reporter with Radio Jambo in Western Province, Oti Oteba, was beaten up by supporters of a local politician. The same youths had also targeted a local reporter with the Star John Nalianya who escaped the beating by hiding in a nearby restaurant. These are not the only cases.

KCA is concerned that Media employers in Kenya have consistently disregarded labour laws in their employment of journalists, in the process undermining their dignity as workers and their capacity to do their work.

Most journalists, both in the newsrooms and the field, are not offered living wages and insurance cover even when covering conflicts. Many are not paid at all despite their valuable contribution, making them vulnerable to corruption and other forms of inducements.

During the last General Elections, a number of media houses either sent their journalists or newly engaged ones on assignment to different parts of the country with minimal or no facilitation, which resulted in frustrations and indignity.

KCA called on Kenyan media owners and employers to begin to take greater responsibility for the journalists they engage, whether on temporary or permanent basis and stop the ongoing wanton exploitation and abuse of journalists as workers. They should immediately implement the 14 % wage increase awarded by the president during the Labour Day on May 1.

The association called on the National Government and the newly inaugurated County Governments to respect the country’s constitution and International charters with regard to media freedom and access to information to enable journalists discharge their important duty of information dissemination and education to the communities.

Uhuru’s Presidential Victory a vote against ICC, says Sudanese Party Official

Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie speaks at the Conference

Khartoum, Sudan: April 27, 2013

A senior official of the ruling Sudanese National Congress Party (NCP) has urged Africa countries to view President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent presidential victory was a vote against the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Speaking at a media briefing at the start of a two day Conference of African Political Parties that began in Khartoum today, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, the Deputy leader of the ruling NCP said Kenyatta’s victory demonstrated a “rejection of the ICC as a colonial mechanism against Africans”.

“Many African people are delighted over the Election of President Uhuru Kenyatta and view this as proof that ICC is a tool of the Western to intimidate Africans. It is time African Countries confronted the ICC” he told journalists.

Dr. Nafie said the conduct of the Western World and their changing position which had seen them embrace the new Kenyan leadership after initially being hostile to the new president and his deputy showed they lacked “any serious principles” except to take care of “their interests”.

Khartoum is playing host to the first meeting of the Council of African Political parties with participants drawn from two of the major parties from at least 25 African countries including Kenya.

President Kenyatta’s party, The National Alliance (TNA), which is part of the ruling Jubilee Coalition, is represented at the conference by two delegates, Charles Waithaka, the Deputy Secretary General and Mohamed Abdullahi, the Secretary of Economic Affairs, Public Policy and Devolution. 

 

A Kenyan envoy Maurice Nakitare (l) and TNA delegates 

 

The conference was officially opened by President Omar El Bashir, against whom the ICC has issued an arrest warrant . In his speech, President El Bashir , who did not make any reference to the ICC, urged Africans to be wary of countries motivated by greed for African natural resources.

He said it was important for African countries to carefully select their partners adding that political parties in Africa must rise above leadership squabbles and develop their capacity to lead the continent’s socio-economic renaissance through accelerated mobilization of the people, development of more trade and effective representation at global forums.

The Sudanese President, who lauded the move to form the Council of African Political Parties, said the move was significant as it coincided with the marking of 50 years since the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and ten years since its transformation to African Union (AU).

Significantly, a high powered delegation from the Chinese Communist Party is in attendance, pointing to the growing interest and influence of China in African affairs. A senior official of the Communist Party sat next to President El Bashir and addressed the Conference, promising China’s support to the parties in their work towards “peace and development”.

Delegations from the AU, Council of Political Parties from Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Turkey, Mexico and a large number of African and foreign diplomats are also attending the conference.

A section of the delegates listen to the proceedings

Dr. Nafie, who is a key member of the Conference organizing committee, said the Council of African Political Parties will be strengthened to support the efforts of the AU in promoting continental integration, peace and economic development adding that the idea of council had been spear headed by Ethiopia, Egypt, Nigeria with Sudan giving it a momentum.

He said the Council of African Political Parties will later this year hold a tripartite meeting in China with its counterparts from Asia and Latin America to learn from their successful experiences.

Ends…

Third FAJ continental Congress in Casablanca focuses on organising journalists and defending press freedom

Casablanca, Morocco, 30 March-: The third continental congress of the Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) held on March 30-31 in Casablanca, Morocco, called for organising journalists, building stronger unions and defending press freedom in Africa. 

The event which is hosted by the Syndicat national de la presse marocaine (SNPM) is attended by 38 delegates from 34 countries in Africa.  

Journalists’ trade unions and associations affiliated to the International Federation of Journalists have formed since 2008 a continental body representing the interests of their members in all media sectors either electronic, broadcasting or print, working as reporters, presenters, producers, freelances or even editors at national, regional and international levels with the common objective to work to improve the social and professional rights of their members, be they full time or freelance.

Delivering the welcome address, Younes M’Jahed, president of SNPM said the congress is the occasion to consolidate the Federation of African Journalists. 

“FAJ is now a big African organization which has demonstrated on the ground its force to strengthen journalists’ unions and fight against all press freedom abuses and attacks against journalists,” said Younes M’Jahed. 

“African journalists’ unions are mature. They are working in difficult conditions but are resisting and defending their independence from all powers and foreign interference. That’s why we consider that the strengthening of union bodies is capital for our future.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Jim Boumelha, president of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) said strengthening the pan-African solidarity among journalists is a very important objective, because Africa needs good journalists practicing good journalism, freely, safely and professionally. 

Looking at FAJ’s report of activities and programme of work, Boumelha stated: “anybody who wants to know what you have achieved should read your document of work. They will of course realise the huge challenges you had to confront, from the issue of safety of journalists and impunity to criminalisation of journalists, the fight for better working conditions and the implementation of international labour standards”. 

“They will see at the same time, how with very limited resources FAJ has set out to lift and upgrade its democracy and structures, to increase its capacity to confront employers and governments and to break the walls between media sectors and between men and women”.

He called on FAJ members to consolidate  their work on protecting the free flow of information which is a cornerstone for the IFJ’s mandate. “Indeed freedom of expression is imperative for sustaining development, consolidating democracy and initiating dialogue. And I am proud that you have taken it as a central battle line not only within FAJ but in many of your respective unions,” Boumelha added.

Everywhere in Africa there are still many obstacles to freedom of expression and free press. Boumelha highlighted the issue of censorship, violence, intimidation and harassment of journalists, pressure and threats, poor working conditions, lack of financial resources and  training as areas where FAJ can make a difference, while assuring them of the IFJ’s unflinching support.

Approaching the issue of safety and security of journalists, Jim Boumelha said, in the past decade more than 2000 media professionals have been killed in the exercise of their profession, most of them victims of targeted killing and most of them local journalists working in their communities.

“The murderers of journalists are too seldom held accountable. For both killings in war zones and under other circumstances only very few cases are investigated. In even fewer cases the perpetrators are brought to justice. Indeed, impunity stands in the way of justice in about eighty percent of these cases, and as long as this pervasive culture of impunity exists, journalists will remain easy targets.”

On the other hand,  the Minister for Communication of Morocco Honorable Mustapha El Khalfi, said the country’s commitment is to be a model for press freedom. “Africa’s future depends on the emergence of a strong, free and responsible press. This mission involves credible media and respect for press freedom,” El Khalfi said, highlighting the process in Morocco to reinforce press freedom and freedom of expression through a new legal framework provided by Article 27 of the country’s new Constitution which guaranties the right to access to information.

Delivering a speech to delegates, Mr. Driss Yazami, president of the national human rights Council of Morocco, said Africa has to take up two challenges: respect for human rights and freedom of expression, and the achievement of a sustainable development and social justice. “The role of journalists is at the cornerstone to meet these objectives and we need to join our efforts to better defend freedoms and the expansion of a human rights culture,”  Yazami concluded.

Omar Faruk Osman, president of the Federation of African Journalists said the Federation  has made tremendous gains since 2010. 

“We extended solidarity and support to ever combat ready unions and their members; we strongly campaigned for the safety of journalists and tackled the culture of impunity in Africa; we sought justice for victim journalists and their families; we helped strengthen the voice of journalists at the national regional and continental levels. Journalists in Africa and their unions are more organized than ever before. We struggled against all odds in the past three years. We fought to decriminalize journalism and the entire media work,” Osman said.

He nevertheless stated that FAJ is meeting in the middle of unprecedented crisis for journalists which threaten to undermine all the gains FAJ has made over the past three years. 

“Violent repression and the injustice against journalists are relentless. The number of journalists detained in Africa for their work since the last congress has increased. More than 70 % of journalists are working under precarious conditions.  Ethical standards are declining due to external life-threatening pressure and lack of decent salaries”, he stated.

FAJ has a mandate to enforce trade union development in the media industry in Africa, to address professional matters, to protect and defend freedom of expression and information as well as journalists' human rights, as laid down in the Declaration of Principles of Freedom of Expression in Africa.

The conference ended on 31 March 2013 and elected a new steering committee. 

Ends...

Peace messages, activities dominate as Kenya goes through historic but tense Elections

Leaders, organizations and community groups intensified calls and activities meant to foster peace both before and after Kenya's General Elections of March 4, 2013. The messages were in reaction to the mayhem that came after the 2007 which left more than 1100 people killed, more than 3500 injured and another 600,000 displaced.

Demo for peace in Migori town.

In Migori, a Coomunity Based Organization -Migori Civic Local Affairs Network (CLAN) rallied the town residents in a peaceful march across the town with messages of peace and distibuted voter education material and other IEC materials to hundreds of town residents two days to the elections. CLAN also showed videos on peace and images from the 2007/8 Post Election Violence which also affected the town.

The demo in pictures:

1. A peace crusader leads the demonstrators in Migori Town blowing away on his vuvuzela

2. The demo included all: men, women and children

3. Boda boda riders came out to participate in the demonstrations

4. A local leader addresses the people after the demonstrations at the Migori Posta Park

5. Migori people listen to speeches at the Posta Park in Migori Town.

6.Banners calling out people to vote and on peace were displayed at the Posta Park after the demo

Uproar in Kenya over US Johnnie Carson's statement on Elections

US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson's comments on the upcoming elections in Kenya has kicked off a storm with the Kenyan authorities demanding a clarification over what they call a contradiction of President Obama's statement earlier on.   

Kenya's Minister for Foreign Affairs  Prof Sam Ongeri sent a protest note to the US embassy in Nairobi seeking "clarification" over America's position on the polls. He has also summoned European Union diplomats based in Nairobi to express concern over what the government claims are attempts to "meddle" in Kenya's internal affairs.

Predictably, a section of the Kenyan leadership has taken issue with both the US position and similar statements from Western diplomats, notably UK, France and the EU. The envoys have indicated that they will be reluctant to deal with Kenya if  Uhuru Kenyatta and his running mate William Ruto, now facing crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague, are elected as president and vice president respectively at the March 4 2013 polls.

Head of Public Service Francis Kimemia, a public officer, curiously, waded into the debate, joining the chorus of condemnation of the US and the Western diplomats over their alleged attempt to "dictate to Kenyans who to elect" at the March 4 polls. Kenyatta and Ruto, who will be required to attend court regulatory, have argued they will be able to run the country fro The Hague whenever they were required to attend court.

Carson, in a briefing to journalists emphasized President Obama's position and wish for for a free and fair polls and in the process, addressed the importance of building on the progress of the new constitution; the prevention of violence that occurred in 2007-2008; and the need for free, fair, and transparent elections all of which will help ensure stability and economic growth.

Assistant Secretary Carson made an opening statement and then answered questions from the press. Please find below the Transcript of his speech which has rubbed a section of the Kenyan leadership up the wrong way. 

---------------------

Briefing on the Upcoming Kenyan Elections

Africa Regional Media Hub
Via Teleconference
February 7, 2013 

MODERATOR:  Good morning and good afternoon to everyone from Johannesburg, from the Africa Regional Media Hub with the United States Department of State.  A warm welcome to our participants calling from across the continent and to the media gathered in the room in Embassy Nairobi.  Today, we are joined by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, who is speaking to us from Washington DC.  We begin today with remarks from Assistant Secretary Carson and will then open it up to your questions.  To ask a question press "star, 1" on your phone to join the queue.  Today's call is on the record and will last approximately 40 minutes.  And with that I will turn it over to Ambassador Johnnie Carson. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Carrie, thank you very much for the introduction and good afternoon to all the participants in this call.  I am extraordinarily pleased to have the opportunity to speak with you today about Kenya's upcoming elections. These elections are vitally important to that country's future.  Kenya has been a long standing friend and partner of the United States and probably our closest partner in East Africa, in the Horn. 

These elections are vitally important.  The choices that Kenyans make on March 4 will affect the stability, prosperity and reputation of Kenya for many years to come.  As President Obama said earlier this week in his message, Kenya must reject intimidation and violence and allow a free and fair vote.  Kenyans must resolve disputes in the courts, not in the streets.  Most importantly President Obama urged Kenyans to come together even further towards a true democratic Kenya defined by the rule of law, and strong institutions which respects the rights and dignity of all Kenyans. 

President Obama clearly stated that the choice of who will lead Kenya is up to the Kenyan people, but it is also important to note that choices have consequences.  We live in an interconnected world and people should be thoughtful about the impact that their choices have on their nation and on the world.  All Kenyans, no matter their gender, ethnicity, or geographic affiliation, have the responsibility, through their own actions, to help ensure Kenya's elections are free, fair and peaceful, and through the election process to select the country's leaders. 

National leaders are responsible for their actions before, during, and after the elections.  Accountability for political violence, including that perpetrated during the 2007 / 2008 electoral crisis is an important part of building a peaceful and prosperous country.  We know very well the negative economic impact that past violence has caused Kenya.  Kenya needs successful elections to ensure a stable and secure environment that will continue to attract foreign investment and to fuel the country's economic growth and prosperity.  The United States support free, fair, and peaceful elections that will help ensure Kenya's stability and prosperity.

Since 2010, the United States government has contributed more than $35 million to support electoral reform, voter education, and elections preparation.  The United States elections observation effort will complement domestic observation and other international observation programs.  With this election, Kenyans have a wonderful opportunity, an enormous opportunity to build positively on the recent constitutional reforms and demonstrate to the world the vitality of Kenya's democracy.  As the president said, to all that are willing to walk this path of progress, he will continue to have a strong friend and partner in the United States of America.  I am going to stop right there and thank you for listening to my opening remarks.  I will take a few questions. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you Ambassador.  We are going to start today with some questions from journalists gathered in the room in Nairobi.  A quick reminder to callers to press "star 1" if you have a question and that will put you in the question queue.  So I will turn it over to Chris Snipes who is moderating questions in Nairobi.  Go ahead, Chris.

MR. SNIPES:  Thank you very much Carrie.  We do have a few questions, and we will start with a question from The Star. 

QUESTION:  My name is Nzau Musau, from The Star newspaper.  Ambassador, I just want a clarification.  The message which came from the President was interpreted in some quarters, some section of the coalition of political players in Kenya, and they say that it is an endorsement from the President that they can actually run and there would be no action later.  So you can expand on the fact if there would be sanctions after the election of the ICC suspects?  If indeed the President endorsed any side of the coalition?  Thank you.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Thank you very much.  The President was absolutely clear that the choice of who Kenyans select as their leaders is up to the Kenyan people.  We as the United States do not have a candidate nor a choice in this election process.  But as I just said, choices have consequences.  We live in an interconnected world and people should be thoughtful about the impact that their choices have on their nation, on their region, on the economy, on the society, and the world in which they live.  Choices have consequences. 

MODERATOR:  Chris, we can take another one in Nairobi.

MR. SNIPES:  Thank you, yes, we do have another one.

QUESTION:  Mr Ambassador, please clarify what you mean by choices have consequences. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Let me say very clearly that individuals have reputations, individuals have images, individuals have histories, individuals are known for who they are, and what they do, what they have said and how they act. 

MODERATOR:  Chris, do you have another, one more question in Nairobi?

MR. SNIPES:  We have one more at this time, yes. 

QUESTION:  My name is Antony.  I am from The People.  Mr. Ambassador, I want you to clarify, or to make it straight, what position the U.S. government is going to take if Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto [inaudible] in the ICC.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  It would be presumptuous of me to engage a hypothetical answer about an outcome about which we are not certain at this point. I don’t know who is going to win the election, and so I am not going to make any judgments about any actions that might be taken about a winner or winners who are not yet known. 

MODERATOR:  We are going to take a question now from callers.  We are going take the first question from Peter Fabricious with Independent Newspapers in South Africa. 

QUESTION:  Secretary Carson, thanks very much for your briefing.  Could you give me some sense of the U.S. assessment of the likelihood of peaceful or violent elections?  There is a growing incidence of violence in various parts of the country and concern being expressed about the possibility that this could have an impact on the election. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Well, let me say that I think that we in the United States join with many, many across Kenya to do everything that we can to prevent a recurrence of the events that followed the 2007 elections and carried over into 2008.  We have worked with groups across Kenya to reduce the prospect of violence in the forthcoming elections.  We have worked with Kenyan groups to monitor, reduce, and eliminate hate speech on radio and in the print media.  We have encouraged peace and reconciliation committees and communities in and across the nation.  We have reached out to religious organizations, to civil society, to youth groups, to professional business groups, to women’s groups, and to local leaders, all encouraging them to discourage violence, to look at this as a peaceful process, and to avoid any kind of acts of intimidation. 

There should be no place for violence in the democratic electoral process.  And we are also encouraging all political leaders to foreswear violence, to sign pledges that they will not engage in violence, encourage or incite violence from their followers, and they will not tolerate it.  The Kenyan justice system should not allow for impunity for those who commit violent acts or who encourage violent acts. 

We have seen some local, regionalized incidents of violence in the Tana River area and around Mombasa.  We look at these as a result of some longstanding political and land grievances.  We hope that these things will not spill over into the political process, but it is incumbent upon all those who are friends and partners of Kenya as well as all of those who are citizens and politicians and civil society and religious and business leaders in Kenya to recognize that violence should be eliminated from the political process. 

The violence that occurred after the 2007 elections into 2008 resulted in a significant loss of Kenyan GDP that resulted in a loss of tourism, tourism revenue, a loss of several billion dollars in earnings.  And, because Kenya is a gateway, a hub to all of the East Africa region, when the roads between Nairobi and Kisumu were closed, it meant that there was no overland transportation into western Kenya, into Uganda, into Southern Sudan, into Burundi, Rwanda, and into the eastern Congo. 

Kenya is a keystone state.  It is an economic hub, a financial center, an agriculture giant, a communications node.  Kenya is vitally important to every Kenyan, but it is also vitally important to the region and to the global community.  Kenya’s politicians must not allow violence to dominate or interfere in this political process. It must be free.  It must be fair.  It must avoid ‘07 and .08, and I will say again choices have consequences.  People should be thoughtful about the impact that their choices will have on the nation, and on the region, on their image, and on the country.

MODERATOR:  The next question is from Channels TV in Nigeria, Amarachi Ubani.

QUESTION:  Thank you so much Ambassador.  You just answered my first question, so I will just go on to the second one.  In the meantime, while the U.S. is helping Kenya to prevent electoral violence after the elections in March, what else is the United States doing to help strengthen the country's democracy. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Let me say that we have been a proud participant in efforts to strengthen Kenya’s democratic institutions.  Over a number of years we have worked very closely with the Kenyan parliament to help strengthen the committee system in parliament, to strengthen the ability of the parliamentary representatives to investigate and to review legislation, to look at budgets, to develop bills and to undertake their responsibilities as legislators.

We think that we have engaged significant efforts to strengthen the ability of the parliament to hold accountable the executive branch for its actions and responsibilities.  We have also worked closely with the Kenyan judiciary. We have an enormous respect for the Chief Justice of the Kenyan court, and we have work with Kenyan jurists to help strengthen the judicial process and judicial procedures.  We recently invited a number of Kenyan jurists to the United States to meet with members of our own federal judiciary, and also our Supreme Court.  We believe that democratic institutions play a vital part of the democratic process.  We have also worked with the media and with other trade associations as well. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you, we are going to turn it back over to journalists in Nairobi for a few questions, and just a reminder to callers, we will come back to you, but press "star 1" to join the question queue.  Go ahead Chris.

MODERATOR:  Thanks Carrie, we have a question from Nzau Musau from the Star. 

QUESTION:  Ambassador, some of the U.S. allies in Nairobi like the British, UK, have already announced they will adopt a policy of no contact with the ICC indictees in case they get elected.  So, from the U.S., for example will you consider visa ban?  Is there something along that line? 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Let me just say again choice have consequences.  Choices have consequences.  Individuals have histories, individuals have images, individuals have reputations.  When they are selected to lead their nations, those images, those histories, those reputations go along with them.  They are not separated from them.  Again, I am not going to speculate on what our actions will be, but we are not signatories to the ICC convention, but I underscore that we recognize and respect what the ICC is trying to do, and we try to adhere to what its main principles and goals are. 

MODERATOR:  Any more from the room? 

MR. SNIPES:  Yes, we have another question from the Nation. 

QUESTION:  Thank you, my name is Aggrey Mutambo from The Daily Nation.  I would like to know how significant the U.S. sees Kenya in the region and the whole of Africa?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Thank you very much.  Kenya is our most important partner in East Africa and the Horn of Africa.  Our friendship has been strong and durable since Kenya's independence in 1963.  Today, Kenya houses our largest embassy in Africa, not just in sub-Saharan Africa but all of Africa.  Our quarters at Gigiri are the most significant diplomatic establishment that we have in Africa.  Full stop.  That is in recognition of our longstanding friendship and partnership, but it is also in recognition of Kenya's overwhelming importance to the region. 

As I said before to you, Kenya is the financial and transportation hub of East Africa.  It is a major agriculture producer and center.  It is a major manufacturing centre.  What goes on in Nairobi and in Mombasa not only affects the people of Kenya, it affects all of the surrounding states.  What happens on the road from Mombasa to Nairobi and from Nairobi over to Lake Victoria and Kisumu, can have enormous impact on landlocked states in the region, on Uganda, its ability to move cargo in and out, its ability to move agricultural supplies and capital goods.  On Burundi.  On Rwanda.  Mombasa is more important as a city and as a port of entry to Bukavu, to Kisangani, to Goma, than is Kinshasa.  The same can be said of Juba.  And the same can be said of many places in southern Ethiopia which have better access through Kenya. 

Kenya is an important partner.  It is an important state, and this is why we are focused on trying to do as much as we can, along with Kenyans, along with Kenya's friends in the international community.  To appeal to all of Kenya's political class, all of the business and commercial elite, to take seriously the need to ensure that these elections do not turn out the way that the '07, '08 elections occurred. 

This is not the time for violence.  This is the time for reconciliation and for progress.  This is the time to build upon Kenya's constitutional reforms.  This is a time to take a step, a positive step forward, to make Kenya an even greater place than it is today.  But the decisions are in the hands of Kenya's voters.  In Washington we are looking at Kenya as a partner, as I said before we do not select rulers for other countries, but we do believe in the democratic process, we believe in democratic institutions, and we believe that there is no place for violence or intimidation or harassment in the democratic process.  It is unacceptable. 

MODERATOR:  We are going to turn to our callers, and the next question is from Richard Lough from Reuters, calling from Nairobi.  Go ahead, your line is open.

QUESTION:  Ambassador, good afternoon.  My understanding is that Washington already has an essential contact only stance with ICC indictees in general.  I assume that includes Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto.  Could you confirm that that is indeed the case, and is it therefore fair to assume that this stance would remain in place if Kenyatta won the election, if it was deemed free and fair.  And secondly, if I can ask you a question on Mali.  I just wondered if you are using, I understand that you are using drones that are based in Niger, but whether the U.S. is deploying drones that are based elsewhere over the Sahara region, whether these drones are armed and whether you have plans in place for the deployment of Special Forces. 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Thank you.  Let me take the first Kenya-specific question.  We have, in respect to President Bashir, in individuals in Sudan who are ICC indictees, taken a position that we will not engage with them, and we have not.  And I will not speculate here on what is not yet a fact.  But I will say that it is clear that we have taken our distance, our diplomatic distance, certainly in the case of these individuals in Sudan who are ICC indictees, that we have not engaged with them directly.  We believe that individuals who are accused of crimes against humanity should go before the courts to prove their innocence or suffer the consequences of the judgment of the courts if they are found guilty. 

With respect to Mali and drones, drones are not part of the State Department's diplomatic arsenal.  I will not comment on drones, their use, or where they are located.  This is not a question for public discussion by me or my office.  I will say this about Mali, that we support the actions of ECOWAS, we support the actions of the French and the non-ECOWAS forces that are operating there.  We believe that it is important to do everything that we can to help to eliminate the spread of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb in Mali and in other parts of West Africa. 

But I will also say very clearly that Mali is a very complicated set of issues.  It is absolutely imperative that that country move back to democracy through elections.  It is important that the electoral roadmap and timetable be adhered to and that we see a return to democracy there.  A military solution without a democratic solution is an imperfect solution.  We must also seek negotiations with the moderate Tuareg, those who renounce violence.  The Tuareg, many have longstanding political grievances, legitimate and longstanding.  They must be dealt with, but we also must keep focus on the elimination of AQIM as a threat not only to Mali, but the region as a whole, and we should not forget the humanitarian concerns as well. 

MODERATOR:  Okay, we are going to take one question from a caller, then we are going to go to Nairobi and take the final question.  The next question is from Jason Straziuso with the Associated Press, calling from Nairobi. 

QUESTION:  Hi Ambassador, you touched on this a little, but I want going to see if you can round it out a little bit.  In general, you were just talking about Sudan, not only the reaction to the individuals who might be charged but what is the economic or military, security reaction as a whole, in terms of the U.S. relations to the country if it has a leader in place that is indicted or convicted by the ICC.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Jason, thank you for that question.  I don’t want to make a comparison with Sudan in its totality because Sudan is a special case in many ways.  We have comprehensive economic and commercial sanctions on Sudan.  Some of our most rigid and tough sanctions in the world, but those sanctions are there as a result of actions that occurred in Darfur and also because of Sudan's support in the past for terrorist organizations.  Sudan is on our state sponsored terrorism list.  It is against U.S. law for us to trade with Sudan, to have any financial transactions with Sudan, to fly any commercial airplanes into Sudan or have any American registered ships go into Sudanese ports.  Many of those sanctions deal with the government's mishandling of the situation in Darfur, and the government's past support of terrorists and terrorist organizations.  None of that, none of that applies to Kenya.  Again, it is a different set of circumstances. 

Let me just also add here, Jason, if I would, I am going to come back to this point, choices matter.  Choices matter and they have consequences.  We live in an interconnected world.  People should realize that their choices have an impact, and this impact can be in terms of a country's image, it can be in terms of how leaders and countries are perceived, and people make choices in a global community on the basis of images, and on the basis of past histories, of things that have occurred.  These things are not in isolation. 

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  We are going to take the last question from Nairobi.  So Chris, I will turn it over to you. 

MR. SNIPES:  Thank you very much Carrie, we have one more question from The Standard. 

QUESTION:  Thank you, my name is Moses Njagi from The Standard.  Ambassador, you have repeatedly said that choices have consequences.  Is that to say that the U.S. for example would have the [inaudible] if they go ahead and elect persons who have tainted images?

ASSISTANT SECRETARY CARSON:  Again I am not prejudging who Kenyan voters will select.  That is a choice for Kenyans to make.  It is a choice only for Kenyans to make.  But we do live in a broad global interconnected community and as I said, it is difficult to separate a person or persons from their images and from their histories and from their actions.  It's inevitable, it’s around the world, it’s not one place but everywhere and every place.

MODERATOR:  Thank you.  That concludes today's call.  I would like to thank Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Johnnie Carson, for joining us and thank all of our callers for participating. If you have any questions about today's call, please contact the Africa Regional Media Hub at afmediahub@state.gov.  Thank you so much.