By Jennifer M. Haralambides
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – On Wednesday, the United States warned the Kenyan government that it must quickly implement delayed reforms and that the corruption, impunity, and human rights abuses are holding the country back. She also said that Kenya’s failure to investigate a bout of deadly violence after the 2007 election is disappointing to the U.S.

President Barack Obama’s father was Kenyan, therefore U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivered a personal message from President Obama to President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga that they must work harder to fully implement the power-sharing deal that ended the bloody violence which spawned from a disputed election in December 2007.

Even though at least 1,300 people were killed during the violence, the cabinet has resisted the many calls for a tribunal in order to hold those responsible for the violence accountable.

Clinton warned that investors would shun states on the continent that had weak leaders and economies which are riddled with corruption and crime.  In a press conference with Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula, she made her point abundantly clear.

“The absence of strong, effective democratic institutions has permitted ongoing corruption, impunity, politically motivated violence, human rights abuses and a lack of respect for the rule of law,” said Clinton.

Wetangula followed her remarks by saying that his government was doing everything it could.

“All sanctuaries of corruption will be destroyed to make Kenya a cleaner and safer place to do business,” he promised.

Clinton mentioned a few opportunities that Africa, specifically Kenya, has in making a change. For example, she mentioned that Africa has an opportunity to create its own “Green Revolution.”

“Right now, Africa suffers from a severe shortage of electric power and too many countries rely on oil as virtually their only source of revenue. But the capacity for producing renewable and clean energy is far and wide,” said Clinton.

She also mentioned that empowering women in Africa would be a valuable step in boosting development and decreasing the impunity that surrounds Kenya.

For more information, please see:

BBC – Kenya Impunity ‘Disappoints U.S.’ – 5 August 2009

Bloomberg – Kenya Committed to War on Corruption, Impunity, Minister Says – 5 August 2009

Daily Nation – Obama’s Warning – 5 August 2009

Reuters – Clinton Tells Kenya to Implement Delayed Reforms – 5 August 2009

Pambazuka News – Kenya: Impunity and the Politicisation of Ethnicity – 31 July 2009