11 January 2008
Nairobi — A row is brewing over a confidential memo from the World Bank's Kenya office that supports President Kibaki's victory in the disputed elections.
According to UK's The Financial Times, a story headlined "Leaked memo deepens Kenya crisis", the leaked January 1 briefing note, originating from Mr Colin Bruce, the World Bank's country director, appears to support President Kibaki's victory on the basis of "oral briefings and documents from senior United Nations Development Programme officials."
The memo claims that "the considered view of the UN is that the Electoral Commission of Kenya announcement of a Kibaki win is correct".
However, Michele Montas, a spokeswoman for the UN secretary-general, denied that the UN had adopted that position. UNDP officials said they had neither monitored the elections nor provided any assessment suggesting a Kibaki victory.
The lending institution has denied taking sides in the disputed election results.
In Washington, the World Bank's head of external relations stated that it was not in their ways of working to take sides in a political contest.
He was quoted in The Financial Times saying: "The bank does not take political positions. Neither Colin Bruce nor the bank has a position on (President) Kibaki or (opposition leader Raila) Odinga."
In Washington, the World Bank's head of external relations stated that they do not take sides in a political contest.
Mr Bruce was later in the day roped in another controversy as ODM claimed that he had led a team which drew up an agreement which President Kibaki declined to sign. The document, said ODM secretary-general Anyang Nyong'o, also drew contribution from US, UK and French envoys.
Another memo
However, the Government disowned the document and denied sending any emissaries to Mr Bruce to author the memo which urged the international community to give credibility to President Kibaki's victory.
A statement by the Presidential Press Services said: "At no time did President Kibaki send any emissary to the World Bank Country director to discuss a document of any nature. The Government, therefore, categorically disassociates itself from the content of that document."
In Nairobi, the PPS said that the Government had been taken aback by the memo and sought to assure the public and the international community that it was committed to the mediation efforts by President Kufuor.
"The Government remains committed to constructive dialogue and welcomes the initiative taken by President John Kufuor," it said.
The Ghanaian President, who chairs the African Union, arrived in the country on Tuesday evening to mediate between President Kibaki and Mr Odinga in a bid to end the violence in which at least 500 people have been killed.
President Kufuor's mediation mission was supported by the United States, Britain and European Union.
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It is very crucial that we have exposure like this, on World Banks position following elections in Kenya. It is a sad state of affair that someone can steal votes and force his position in authority, and yet get support from world bank, and or other foreign donors.
Kenyans have worked so hard to elect their leader, and their choice has been rejected. For world bank to endorse Kibaki and not put pressure for fair elections, is like Indirectly saying, they are blind to the chaotic situation the country has experienced, after Kibaki was announced the president of the country.
World bank denies not taking any part in supporting either party. I hope that is a position they have taken. I would suggest that they should be involved by encouraging the government to have a fair elections, otherwise they should not give any funds at all. The poor continue to suffer despite millions of dollars the country receives to build the nation. If Kibaki knows the world bank will not be sending money his way, to further is non democratic government, he will stop his arrogance in pretending to form a unified coalition government. I am afraid Kenya will continue to have turmoil if Kibaki stays in power. World bank should not give money that will be used for tyrany and intimidation. World bank Boss should seriously listen to what Kenyans are saying. gof