One thing that bothered me about Kenya’s new constitution was that the US government lobbied heavily and spent $23 million (including funding NGOs) to bring about a “yes” vote. Vice President Biden, who personally traveled to Kenya, was quoted in the media saying that Kenya’s new constitution would “allow money to flow” from the US foreign aid treasuries.
Well the constitution was signed in August, but, apparently, U.S. development agencies now want Kenya’s evidence in combating corruption.
But what makes me angrier is the report that the government of Kenya is pleading the US government to full fill on its promise of providing aid once the country has a new Constitution. The Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is reported telling the AP that his government is frustrated by the US’s changing “goal posts” when it comes to the promise made before the new constitution was approved. Really? You are telling me that the nearly 70 percent of Kenyan voters who backed the new constitution just wanted to get aid?
Mr Deputy Prime Minister, I disagree! I urge you not to make your country women and men beggars. Instead of assessing and waiting for the US aid package, assessing and gauging Kenya’s dependency on foreign aid would be a good first move.
