There is no doubt that the mood between Nairobi and Washington has changed dramatically in recent times. To be more precise since the successful Washington-engineered toppling of the Islamic courts rulers in Somalia. A mop up exercise followed this on Kenyan borders where refugees were blocked from entering the country and hundreds of suspected terrorists arrested trying to enter Kenya from Somalia.
In fact a very interesting operation is going on even as you read this, on the Kenyan coast off Lamu where officially a joint military training exercise is taking place. However we all know that many suspected terrorists have been arrested trying to enter Kenya through Lamu. There is also the fact that the huge American ship patrolling the area is equipped with powerful satellite equipment used to patrol the Coast and in fact the entire region on the Kenyan borders, using the latest satellite technology. So now we know why Kenyan security forces are suddenly so efficient in guarding the country's porous borders. The same borders through which so many illegal arms have been pouring through into the country in recent times so much so that some government statistics put the current ratio of illegal guns in the country at one to every 300 Kenyans.
Rail Odinga believes that the American government is supporting Kibaki for re-election. This blogger does not agree. It is clear that the deals made between the two governments have been done with fighting terror as the main objective, not the forthcoming elections. Actually if truth be told, the Americans are not comfortable with President Kibaki and chances are high that covert operations will be discreetly launched by the only remaining super power on earth later this year to ensure that Kibaki is not re-elected. This could include the funding of credible candidates. Which is exactly what the Americans unsuccessfully did against President Moi in 1997.
Real Gikuyu man answers lonely frustrated beauty who complained to Kumekucha about her lovers of the past.
Am scared that Kenya could be tricked into hosting AFRICOM, a US military command in Africa. Hardliners in Kibaki's government are against this idea, which I think it's a contributing factor to Washington's love-hate relationship with Nairobi. (see Kenyanomics' post on AFRICOM--Feb 07, 2007).
ReplyDeleteI was in Lamu last October and we got a lift from a guy who says he is a driver for the US Army. At that time I remember wondering what is the US Army doing all the way here!? Well now I know.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't believe the US would support Kibaki. He has shown them that we can survive without running to them every second. Also that Kibaki is looking East rather than West (which I support). So yes, someone else will be funded to the hilt but I believe Kenyans know where their votes are at.