Remarks at a Meeting With the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Civil Society Followed by a Press Availability
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Intercontinental Hotel
Nairobi, Kenya
August 4, 2012
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, first of all, let me say how pleased I am
to be meeting with representatives of the Kenyan Elections Commission
and civil society at such an important time in the history of this great
country.
Hilary Rodham Clinton with Nelson Mandela during her recent trip to Africa.
I’ve had the opportunity already today in my meetings with the
President and the Prime Minister, with the Chief Justice and the
Speaker, to discuss the importance of a credible, transparent, free, and
fair election process. The Kenyan people have demonstrated a great
commitment to their own democracy, most recently with the successful
referendum on the new constitution.
But we know that there are challenges, and this is the opportunity to
meet those going forward. Not only is this important for the people of
Kenya, but the eyes of the world will be on this election. And I have
absolute confidence that Kenya has a chance to be a model for other
nations, not just here in Africa but around the world.
On the other hand, the unrest that can result from a disputed
election has a terrible cost, both in lives lost and in economic impact.
The instability that followed the last election cost the Kenyan
economy, by most estimates, more than one billion dollars. So it’s
essential for government and civil society to work together. And of
course, the Elections Commission has a special responsibility to ensure
that the votes and aspirations of the people are reflected accurately
and fairly.
And so I’m here today to listen and learn what the United States can
do to support these very important efforts. We are committed to our
partnership. We are proud to be a partner and a friend of Kenya, and we
want to continue doing all we can to help this country continue its path
forward.
So with that, I’ll take maybe one or two questions.
MODERATOR: The gentleman over here, by the camera.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Yes, sir.
QUESTION: Thank you, Madam Secretary. My name is (inaudible).
(Inaudible) Chinese influence? And second question is (inaudible) will
you come to terms?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Can I come what?
QUESTION: To terms.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Terms. Come to terms. Well, on the first
question, the United States has a long history in Africa, working with
countries on behalf of democracy and human rights, on behalf of
healthcare and education, on economic development. We have signature
programs like the African Growth and Opportunity Act, like the PEPFAR
program for HIV/AIDS, for the Feed the Future program to improve
agricultural output. Our emphasis has always been on supporting the
lives of individuals and the democratic aspirations of people. So that
is the value of what we try to offer. So what we’re interested in is how
to be the best partner and friend. And that’s what I’m doing here in
Kenya. We had a series of very comprehensive and constructive meetings
today on a full range of issues that are important bilaterally between
us, but also regionally and globally.
Of course, what happens in the elections is up to the people of
Kenya. They’re the ones who will make the decisions. But we, as a
partner and friend, are certainly hoping that this election, which is a
complex election – there are many different ballot positions that will
all be voted on the same time – goes so smoothly that everyone is so
proud the next day because of what has been achieved, and that people
who are unsuccessful – remember I’ve been in politics. I have won
elections and I have lost elections. And when you lose an election and
when your supporters see you lose and election, it’s important that they
have to see that the process was fair. And that’s what we hope for here
for our friends in Kenya.
MODERATOR: I think Matt had a question.
QUESTION: Yes, I do. Madam Secretary, you know – as you know,
the South Sudan and Sudan have come to an agreement on oil (inaudible). I
was wondering a) what do you think about? And also B) what would
constitute similar success from your visits to Uganda? Would that be –
what would that be, (inaudible) in the way of success and also
(inaudible) hunt for Joseph Kony? And then again, (inaudible) that kind
of success?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I welcome the
agreement on oil reached between the Republic of South Sudan and the
Republic of Sudan. This agreement reflects leadership and a new spirit
of compromise on both sides. And I particularly praise the courage of
the Republic of South Sudan leadership in taking this decision.
As I said in Juba yesterday, the interests of the people of South
Sudan were truly at stake. The oil impasse has lasted more than six
months. It was time to bring it to a close for the good of the people of
South Sudan and their aspirations for a better future amidst the many
challenges they face there, a nation that’s only one year and a few days
old. And they have to turn to educating their people, providing
healthcare, establishing strong democratic institutions.
And South Sudan’s leaders, led by President Salva Kiir, have really
risen to the occasion, for which they deserve a great deal of credit.
They tabled a bold, comprehensive proposal in the latest round of talks
and an agreement was hammered out with the strong assistance of the
African Union. And I think it’s to the great benefit of South Sudan and
to Sudan.
Regarding your second and third questions, it is a great privilege
and pleasure for me to be traveling as I am this week throughout Africa,
meeting with a lot of old friends and meeting new people who are
committed to the futures of their countries.
Clearly, we are very focused on the international hunt for Joseph
Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army that has caused so much terrible
damage and violence over so many years, and we had very good discussions
with the Uganda People’s Defense Force on that. And we also covered a
range of issues in my long conversation with President Museveni that we
will be following up on.
And similarly here in Kenya, we’ve had very comprehensive discussions
on economics, on humanitarian issues, the refugee issues, the very
important contributions that Kenyan forces are making to AMISOM, to the
work we’re doing in agriculture and so much else. And now I’m looking
forward to hearing from the Elections Commission. Thank you all.
Remarks Following a Meeting With Kenyan Chief Justice Willy Mutunga
I want
to thank the Justice for receiving me today. I greatly appreciate the
opportunity to discuss with him the progress of the constitutional
reform. When the people of Kenya adopted your new constitution, the
judiciary was given significant responsibilities, and I am very pleased
to hear the progress that is being made. However, I am well aware that
there are many issues yet to be decided and many laws to be passed
(inaudible).
I discussed with the Chief Justice the upcoming elections next year,
which will be so consequential for Kenya. And the United States has
pledged to assist the Government and people of Kenya in ensuring that
the upcoming elections are free, fair, and transparent, which is the
very gift that the people of Kenya gave themselves by passing that new
constitution. And we urge that the nation come together and prepare for
elections that will be a real model for the entire world.
And again, I thank the Chief Justice for the important role that you
and your team are playing. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you.
Remarks at a Meeting With Staff and Families of Embassy Nairobi
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Nairobi, Kenya
August 4, 2012
AMBASSADOR NOLAN:
Good afternoon everyone. For those of you whom I haven’t met in my five
days now – (laughter) – here in Kenya, my name is Steve Nolan. I’m the
charge d’affaires, thanks to the Secretary.
We are absolutely delighted today to have so many representatives of
our mission finally welcoming Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton,
welcome her back to Kenya. I think everybody returns to Kenya. I have
returned a few times. So I would like to say, Madam Secretary, Karibu Kenya. Welcome to Kenya.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you.
AMBASSADOR NOLAN: Madam Secretary, we are delighted that
you’ve chosen to come to Kenya at such an important time in this
nation’s history, with national elections coming next March and as Kenya
continues to implement its new constitution. This mission is critical
and involved in that transformation, and the hard work that they have
done is helping this country to progress.
We all take great pride in the partnership – the strong partnership –
that has gone on for nearly five decades between the United States and
Kenya. And these are the people who are responsible for making it
stronger. This is one of the best missions in Africa. It is also one of
the largest missions in Africa, over 20 agencies, doubled in size since I
was last here.
Your personal interest in Kenya and in our efforts, as a close friend
and ally of this country, means a great deal to all of us. We look
forward to hearing your message to us today. And to paraphrase the words
of Isak Dinesen, I’d like to say that here you are, where you want to
be. (Laughter.)
And without any further delay, I now present to you our honored guest, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. (Applause.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. Well, Ambassador Nolan, thank
you very, very much. We’re delighted that you have taken on this
responsibility to be the charge. And you bring so much experience as
well as a great appreciation for this magnificent country and this
incredibly important mission.
I’m also pleased that Assistant Secretary Johnnie Carson is here with
us, a former ambassador to Kenya. (Applause.) I was kidding him today,
he is so popular in Kenya he could run for office – (laughter) – which
may turn out to be a good thing. (Laughter.)
Well, I personally am delighted to be back here in Nairobi. As
Ambassador Nolan said, for 50 years, we have had a strong partnership
between not only our governments but our people. And this large,
significant mission is at the center of that partnership and friendship.
It’s really the hub of our work in this region. From our efforts to
stabilize Somalia to our engagement in the Indian Ocean, it’s a big set
of responsibilities, and I am so proud of the way that this mission,
with 20 different agencies as part of the United States Government
presence here, really steps up time after time.
I can’t come to Nairobi and speak before an Embassy audience without
remembering that next week will mark the date that our Embassy here,
along with the Embassy in Dar es Salaam were bombed 14 years ago. We
have not and will not forget those who were lost and injured that
terrible day, and we have not and will not back down from our efforts to
combat and defeat violent terrorism and extremism. The response of the
Embassy community to that terrible day was extraordinary. We have
recovered, rebuilt, and rededicated ourselves and gone on to even more
important and lasting work.
I know that for many of you this last year has been a difficult year
of transition, but despite the challenges you have continued to work
with our partners here to promote democracy and economic growth. We have
spent a lot of time today talking about the upcoming elections, the
hard work being done to implement the constitution, to reform the
courts, reform the police, to really make sure that the promise of the
constitution is delivered to the people who overwhelmingly voted for it.
You have supported efforts to fight corruption, preserve the
environment, promote trade and tourism. You’re stalwartly in favor of
and producing results in the areas of health and education. You’ve
helped administer over $350 million in humanitarian assistance, largely
food aid, which is part of the nearly $12 billion in humanitarian
assistance that the United States has provided the Horn of Africa over
the past two years.
Now, to build on that good work and in recognition of the challenges,
today I’m announcing an additional $54 million in humanitarian
assistance for the Horn. (Applause.) So that will be on top of the 1.2
billion, and that will include 15 million specifically for Kenya. This
funding will assist vulnerable populations living in conflict zones or
hit by natural disasters, such as flooding or droughts. We’re
particularly focused on Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.
Now, when an Embassy works as well as this one, it’s because you have
a such a strong community. And I especially want to thank the family
members of all the U.S. Government employees, Foreign Service, and Civil
Service. Your work is so important because your support is so critical.
And we acknowledge it and thank you for it.
And I also want to say a special word of thanks to our local staff.
Will all the Kenyans here raise your hands, all of you who have been
here, the backbone? (Applause.) I frequently say that ambassadors and
secretaries come and go, but the local staff – you’re here. You’re the
memory bank and the nerve center, and every year you help to train up a
new set of Americans. But you keep this enduring relationship going and
growing, and we could not do our work without you.
So on behalf of President Obama, who has a very special place in his
heart for this country, and myself and the entire team in Washington,
thank you. And I especially thank you for the work that went into this
visit. It was a packed day of many meetings, many consultations, all of
which gave Ambassador Nolan and Ambassador Carson and myself greater
insight into how the United States can support the upcoming elections.
These will be critical elections. Because of the violence in 2007,
Kenya lost more than a billion dollars in investment. The GDP dropped
significantly. And when government leaders ask me to help them do more
to bring business and investment to this country, my quick response is
then you do your part to make sure this election is free, fair, and
transparent and that all Kenyans accept the results, and do your part to
speak out against divisiveness, against anything that would undermine
the unity of this country. Because ultimately these elections are
totally within the control of the Kenyans themselves, but the United
States, as your friend and your partner, want to do all we can to make
sure that they are successful.
So thank you for your service and for representing the United States
so well. And now let me come by and meet you and thank you in person.
Thank you all. (Applause.)
