TAME GRAFT OR FORGET MY HELP, OBAMA TELLS KENYA

THE STANDARD
NAIROBI, KENYA
April 4, 2009

By Alex Ndegwa

US President Barack Obama has told the Kenyan Government to tackle corruption first if it hopes to benefit from his administration.

In his first remarks on his ancestral country since his inauguration to office, Obama sent out a stern message any assistance to Kenya would be pegged on its anti-corruption performance and the rule of law.

"My father was from Kenya. The US is under obligation to help Kenya on many issues but Kenya must sort its corruption problems first," Obama said in response to a question on relationship between the US and Kenya.

He spoke at Times Square Hall in Germany where he flew for bilateral talks after the G20 meeting in Britain.

The Kenyan authorities would scrutinise his statement closely as it rekindles his harsh rebuke of President Kibaki during a visit in 2006 and comes at a time the coalition government is rocked with corruption allegations, such as the twin oil and maize scandals. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga are under intense pressure to fire corrupt ministers and other top public officials.

Obama, whose father hailed from Kogelo in Siaya District, warned that Kenya and other African nations would never thrive if their citizens cannot count on the Government to deliver services fairly, regardless of their tribal background or ability to pay bribes.

"In the end, if the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost," he told his audience at Taifa hall in 2006 in an address that ruffled feathers in Government.

In his inauguration speech on January 20, Obama sent out a warning that his administration would not tolerate tyrannical and corrupt regimes. The statement comes when President Kibaki and Raila are currently hosting a high profile meeting at Kilaguni Lodge to try and resolve problems facing the coalition government.