By David Ohito
The international community has put the Grand Coalition Government on notice. The US Government on Tuesday slapped a travel ban on a Cabinet Minister involved in corruption.
The banned minister joins the long list of politicians, businessmen and former public officials blacklisted. Sources said five Cabinet ministers cannot travel to the US.
US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger said the ban was not based on rumours.
"We have a comprehensive file with detailed information and evidence," he said.
He went on: "It is not related to the recent maize scandal but to developments over a couple of months where he was directly involved and participated. But because we are required by law to observe privacy, we will not reveal his name."
The warning came from Kenya’s biggest bilateral donor. The US committed Sh8 billion ($100m) recovery package for post-election violence towards three main components: peace and reconciliation support for reform, and restoring livelihoods.
Relief food
The US also pledged Sh3.2 billion towards hunger kitty. But like Britain, the money will be wired through World Food Programme because of graft and logistical challenges in Government.
Analysts say the ban is a much bigger message. Senior Counsel and former Kabete legislator Paul Muite said Kenyans are frustrated when their leaders are treated like those of failed States. Lands Minister James Orengo and his Justice colleague Martha Karua want the minister to step down.
Last year, a minister was forced to decline an invitation to Harvard where he was expected to speak. The list could be growing and the noose tightening, with European Union expected to follow suit.
Cyncis claim soon we will have ministers who can only visit the failed Somalia and Migingo Island, with Tanzania tightening rules too.
The Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is preparing reports on several ministers linked to corruption.Whether action will be taken or the reports shelved and prosecution stalled, as has been the case, is another matter.
The country is a perfect theatre for corruption and impunity.
Pack of looters
Trial of post-election violence suspects by a special tribunal has opened a fissure between those who support it and those who don’t.
Coalition principals President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga have broken promises to deliver politicians and businessmen who stirred up violence after the elections of 2007 for trial in Kenya or the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
The Economist has described the Grand Coalition Government as an "eat-and-let-eat" dispensation, with officials from both ends of the coalition pilfering resources.
The calls for reform are coming from many quarters. Last week, the UK Secretary of State for International Development Douglas Alexander visited Kenya and preached the same message.
The Secretary of State for International Development is the Cabinet Minister responsible for management of Britain’s development aid through DfID.
At a press brief after meeting Raila, Alexander said: "Kenya is at a crossroads and political leaders must recognise the heavy responsibility to fast track fundamental reforms.
"There is need to end the culture of impunity, stem corruption, and extrajudicial killings. We are concerned at the slow pace of reforms.
"We want to see the constitutional review on track, Special Tribunal formed and Agenda Four implemented," he added.
"The development and progress of Kenya is being held back as corruption continues to undermine the economy. The Government must tackle these issues," the UK official said. His sentiments were a reminder from Kenya’s second largest bilateral donor, with a budget of Sh5.5 billion (£50 million) this financial year.
Delicate peace
Over 80 per cent of UK assistance to Kenya goes towards health, education, humanitarian assistance and social protection. The remaining 20 per cent supports improved governance, private sector development and investment climate, financial sector reform and improved statistics.
It is during the visit that Alexander, announced funding of Sh608 million from DfID to the World Food Programme (WFP) to fight starvation.
He also repeated calls for more transparency and better management in the maize sector, and underlined the importance of tackling corruption allegations.
His sentiments were in tandem with those delivered a couple of weeks earlier by UN Special investigator Prof Philip Alston on extra-judicial killings.
The reforms that were expected to cushion Kenya against another bloodbath have been delayed and there is no guarantee that Kenya’s fragile political peace can last beyond the 2012 General Election.
With four million Kenyans relying on food aid, and the number of the poor and the spiralling upwards, the challenges are many.
Kenya is increasingly becoming a subject of the international community for the wrong reasons.
In particular, the UK supports calls for greater transparency over the handling of grain prices, maize imports and tenders for procurement of services.
