Lucas Barasa
17 January 2008
Nairobi — Fourteen key donors have threatened to cut aid to the Government if the political crisis is not resolved.
"If the commitment of the Government of Kenya to good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights weakens, donors will reconsider the use of direct or sector budget support and channel a larger share of its assistance through CSOs and the private sector," the donors said in a statement Wednesday.
The statement was signed by representatives of the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, European Commission Delegation to Kenya, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and Denmark.
Through Danish ambassador Bo Jensen, who is the acting chair of the Development Co-operation Group, they said the Kenya Joint Assistance Strategy, agreed between the Government and the donors, had developed three financing scenarios to help guide levels of financial support and the choice of aid instrument.
The partners expressed grave concern over the continued political crisis in the country following the disputed outcome of last December's presidential elections.
And the group warned that the confidence in democratic institutions, on investment, growth and poverty reduction would be affected "if a mutually acceptable solution is not found soon."
Tragic events
The donors said they were saddened by tragic events witnessed since the announcement of the presidential result. They expressed sorrow to those affected and also offered condolences to those who lost their loved ones.
"We strongly condemn the violence and intimidation, and emphasise the need for respect for human rights, democratic principles and justice," they said.
Kenyans, the donors noted, were deeply divided politically, and called on party leaders to agree on a lasting solution.
The donors stressed the need for continuous dialogue to reach an agreement, which they said "meets the will of the Kenyan people".
"We stand ready to lend support to a process that leads to a political settlement and to reconciliation," they said and supported US assistant Secretary of State for Africa Jendayi Frazer and the EU stand on political turmoil in the country.
The donors also threw their weight behind a team of eminent persons led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan expected to spearhead efforts to bring President Kibaki and rival Raila Odinga to a negotiating table and help end the current political crisis.
On Tuesday, the EU warned that it might cut aid to Kenya over concerns about disputed elections.
An official said the 27-nation bloc was considering suspending all aid and imposing sanctions if mediation efforts to resolve the crisis failed.
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LET THE STABLE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA CONTINUE BUILDING A COUNTRY THAT IS THE HEART OF WELCOME (KARIBU), FOR EUROPEANS AND ALL PEOPLE OF THE WORLD.
European NATIONS ARE BEING QUITE UNFAIR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF KIBAKI, FOR NO ACTUAL REASONS, EXCEPT TO PROMOTE Raila’S murderous RAGE. All European Nations mentioned in your article support RAILA, who ALREADY THREATENED THAT IF HE DOES NOT WIN, HE WOULD CAUSE GENOCIDE in KENYA. RAILA ODINGA IS CARRYING OUT HIS THREAT ABOUT GENOCIDE, JUST LIKE HE HAD promised. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT RAILA HAS CARRIED OUT ASSAULT ON… [Read Full Text]
European NATIONS ARE BEING QUITE UNFAIR TO THE GOVERNMENT OF KIBAKI, FOR NO ACTUAL REASONS, EXCEPT TO PROMOTE Raila’S murderous RAGE. All European Nations mentioned in your article support RAILA, who ALREADY THREATENED THAT IF HE DOES NOT WIN, HE WOULD CAUSE GENOCIDE in KENYA. RAILA ODINGA IS CARRYING OUT HIS THREAT ABOUT GENOCIDE, JUST LIKE HE HAD promised. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT RAILA HAS CARRIED OUT ASSAULT ON THE GOVERNMENT OF KENYA. IN 1982, RAILA CAUSED A COUP THAT FINALLY FAILED, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE KILLED. RAILA IS USING FORCE TO DISRUPT… [Read Full Text]