Obama Urges Kenya To Stop Corruption

Sen. Barack Obama urged Kenyans to take control of their country's destiny by opposing corruption and ethnic divisions in government during a policy speech Monday at the main university in his father's homeland.

Obama warned that Kenya and other African nations will never thrive if their citizens cannot count on the government to deliver services fairly, regardless of their tribal background or ability to pay bribes, Obama told about 600 people at the state-run University of Nairobi.

"In the end, if the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists — to protect them and to promote their common welfare — all else is lost," he said.

Obama is winding down his trip to Africa, which began Aug. 18 in South Africa. On Tuesday, he will visit the world-famous Masai Mara game reserve in southern Kenya, followed by trips to the countries of Djibouti and Chad.

The Illinois Democrat has received the warmest and largest welcome in Kenya, where Kenyans have claimed Obama as one of their own even though he was mostly raised in Hawaii and did not know his Kenyan father well.

This is Obama's third visit to Kenya but his first since being elected the United States' only black senator in 2004.

On Monday, he acknowledged the irony of a politician from Chicago, known for its long history of public corruption, talking about good government. But while corruption is universal, he said in Kenya it amounts to "a crisis that's robbing an honest people of opportunities they have fought for."

Government officials did not immediately respond to Obama's comments Monday. The senator had a closed-door meeting with President Mwai Kibaki last week.

Kenya has been roiled for years by widespread allegations of corruption. Kibaki won elections in 2002 promising to root out the corruption that had become endemic under the 24-year rule of his predecessor, President Daniel arap Moi. But now, he too is facing mounting pressure to respond to allegations of high-level corruption.

Kibaki's administration has pointed to its efforts to root out corrupt judges and ongoing investigations into high-level wrongdoing. Officials also have said that the government alone cannot fight corruption and asked individuals and companies to stop paying bribes.

Obama said Monday that the Kenyan government must reduce patronage jobs and increase salaries for the remaining employees to reduce temptation for taking bribes. It also needs clear laws and regulations, so that individual bureaucrats cannot twist the rules to their own ends, Obama said.

"Finally, ethnic-based tribal politics have to stop," he said to applause from the audience of students, university staff, business leaders and others.

Obama said his father, a Kenyan government economist, butted heads with government officials over ethnicity and patronage and ended up losing his government job. Obama said his father also held outdated views about the roles of women, and as a result never enjoyed a strong family life.

His father died in a car crash in 1982, leaving three wives, six sons and a daughter.

"In many ways, my family's history reflects some of the contradictions of Kenya and indeed the African continent as a whole," Obama said.

AIDS prevention also has been a theme of Obama's visit. On Saturday, he and his wife, Michelle, underwent public HIV tests at a hospital in the city of Kisumu in an effort to reduce the public stigma associated with HIV testing.

Obama and his family also traveled Saturday to Nyangoma-Kogelo, a tiny village in the rural west where his father grew up. Obama stopped at his father's grave and also visited his 85-year-old grandmother.

[ya_mahdi]

'I see some philosophies have not changed in 1400 years':-RonnieHM

Excerpt from a sermon where Ali Ibn Abi Talib described the 4 different sorts of people in the world

''Then there is he who has drawn his sword, openly commits mischief, has collected his horsemen and foot-men and has devoted himself to securing wealth, leading troops, rising on the pulpit and has allowed his faith to perish. How bad is the transaction that you allow (enjoyment of) this world to be a price for yourself as an alternative for what there is with God for you''

Can you identify this vivid description with a certain politician? And how he runs his office. Or is this description futile as it was recorded 1400 years ago?

[pete_alikija]

I would like to say that we face a huge struggle in Africa and there is no quick fix solution. We need aid groups, we need medical help, we need to stop tribal warfare, we need to rid ourselves of the politicians who act as a parasite on a dieing animal. We need foreign intervention. It needs a sustained commitment. And we need to help our people understand why it is important to help the caring people of the world help us. I thought the senators visit was good for morale, and I hope it has a positive impact.

May I just finish by saying, to the gentleman who posted the comment before me, that I liked the way you conducted yourself here sir. And I thought that the other comment you made was helpful, particularly with regards to aid agencies asking politicians what is required and arranging contracts themselves as opposed to giving it to our greedy politicians. I have respect for you, and I disliked the counterproductive comment that was made to mock your faith. I am a church-going Christian, but respect for anybody who has faith in God. May God Bless you and your Family.

Thanks

[aliyaaali]

If you were familiar with you history, 1400 years ago, fighs with the sword were ubiquitous. The man did not endorse violence.

The man I quoted is a very highly regarded figure in Islam. The word Islam when is derived from the word 'Salaam' which is used as a part of a greeting which translates to Peace be upon you. The word Islam translated into english means PEACE. And yes I agree once more that some philosophies have not changed in 1400 years. I believe that a religion is applicable for all times and races. So we do not innovate. In Judaism the sabbath is a day of rest, and if observed properly, usage of vehicles and such like is forbidden just as it was milleniums ago, and rightly so. Alhough it may appear backward to some (not me), I beleive it is highly admirable.

Though this debate is about Africa. I agree I should not have used the word resource. But I think the rest was pretty appropriate. Isnt it slightly petty to evoke a debate about Islam when the subject matter is on poverty,corrution, and suffering of the people of Africa, just because I quoted something Islamic? I get the impression, you dislike all muslims. And with the threat of terrorism that we all face, perhaps I can understand why. But I assure you, most of us are normal people with strong family values, who have a great deal of contempt for the killing of innocent people.

[ronniehm]

As you said, Africa is a resource-rich continent, so sending them our resources seems a bit superfluous. They need to get rid of the people who are monopolizing them.

Oh and too bad your quote came from a man who was no stranger to arms himself. Isn't in funny how only one side has the right to commit violent acts? I see some philiosophies haven't changed in 1400 years.

[aliyaaali]

What a shame that a talented and gifted peoples are plagued by a self-interested few that will forget morality so that they may selfishly prosper to the expense of so many. What a same that a resource-rich continent is so poverty stricken and corrupt.

Ali Ibn Abi Taalib(as):"If poverty were to manifest itself into the shape of a man I would have killed him."

If one was to consider how much money nations spend in arms each year, it rises into trillions of dollars. Imagine if that money was used to organise delegations that could establish relations with African leaders and ask what it is that they require, and have the delegations themselves build it with accountability so that it would not be embezzled. Africa deserves so much more, and it is upto the people to rise to the challenge of taking those essential first steps so that the road to recovery gathers momentum. It is far easier said then done, particularly when people are more interested on how they are going to acquire their next meal, rather than make a political contribution, and rightly so. Simulaniously the west and the oil-rich muslim states need to follow Iran's example, and help in providing cut-price oil and other resources as well as exchanging technological expertise.

[steveomolo]

Sent. Obama has shown Kenyans the way forward, It's now upto the Political leaders to map the way ahead. In the history of kenya 95% of corruption has always been fueled by politicians and high ranking government officials.It is high time this vice was brought to an end.

Sent. Obama is a self made man, a man of the people as it was evident when he visited all areas of Kenya, both urban and rural interacting freely with Wananchi.

Long live Sent B.Obama