Honestly speaking, why I chose to attend the mindspeak session that had Amb. Ranneberger (US Amb. to Kenya) was driven purely out of a desire to be around thinkers for the better part of my Saturday morning and what better way to spend the morning other than to sit and listen to the representative of the Worlds Super Power jabber on about the Geopolitical dynamics of the East and Horn of Africa Region plus titbits of US Foreign Policy.
The fact is I have always viewed the presence of the United States in Kenya as one that has always brought about a push for all the values that an ever changing and eveolving democracy like Kenya would need. Of course such a viewpoint is not generated without consideration of the strategic interests that the US is concerned about in the region. In this regard its not hard to figure out that the US Amb. in Kenya has always been an important figure in the Socio-Political scene of Kenya.
I came to the meeting with several expectations. First to understand the man that is Amb. Ranneberger, second the FP attitude towards Kenya and the larger East and Horn of Africa Region, third the American driven agenda for youth in the country and finally what next for the man following rumours he could be well on his way departing from the country. I wasn't sure if all these were going to be answered or touched upon but I guess being the optimist I am I couldn't loose hope. Sad fact though is after my whole episode of mixing up Junction with Westgate I arrived at the venue one hour after the start of the two hour session. Lucky for me @alykhansatchu was always on hand to bring out the latest quips. So much of the aspects on this post will dwell on the man and the youth agenda and they stood out in the one hour or so that I was there
If you have followed my blog before you will notice that I have never really had kind words for the US embassy's intervention on the youth landscape in the country. Matter of fact I have viewed it with suspicion and often believed that the better approach would be to work with Government rather than directly with youth. It must be said that this by no means puts to the fore an inbuilt general distrust or misgivings on the part of the American Governments intervention in Kenya. Matter of fact, I do hold it in much the high esteem for all the great and straightforward straight and tough-talking support and standpoints it has always had for this country. As a partner on the reform agenda, Kenya could not have found a better partner not forgetting the massive impact on support to the health care system especially with regard to community HIV AIDs Programs. A personal favourite of mine was the intervention in the Mau Forest Affair and its generous support. But the devil has always been on the youth question.
The Reform Ambasador (@USAmb4Reform) did take time to put across why the US government felt it prudent to intervene in Kenya and especially with the youth. The all famous 2006 by Sen. Obama at the University of Nairobi never fails to be brought up. Of course I must admit it is indeed a brilliant piece of inspiration and telling sign of the later speeches that led him to the White House. The African Leaders meeting at the White House and the US Presidents advise to the youth leaders present that went something like 'You are the Future of Africa. It starts with you...' also did not escape the Amb. mind. But the real reason, according to him, was drawn out of the countless town hall meetings that the Amb had with the youth all across the country and this lead to the strategic direction that the US Embassy took with the youth.
The whole idea as I understood it was this, the US established a $45Mil. programme that is aimed at forming a correlation between political reform and economic development. Central to this is the provision of support to grassroots organisations. On the Political reform aspect there is the establishment of national youth coalitions that are non partisan and multi ethnic. Thus already established is the National Youth Forum. That was where my concerns began. However, the Ambassador did take time to mention that this intervention was necessary owing to the changing political climate that has taken root in the country and that this change requires an active intervention to ensure that the youth are not manipulated and utilised out of turn. To this I agree. The Economic front of course is by all means the most well crafted and suitably packaged to empower the youth economically.
So then you may ask, what's really changed? Do you have any misgivings still? Well, the answer to those questions are simple. Let me elucidate. First my viewpoint on the man, Amb Ranneberger had changed. He is quite the candid man, upfront and firm in his believes and truly one who beyond his JD seems to really care about the reform agenda of this country. It must be said that indeed he does take the time to listen and share with Kenyans an attribute seldom found in other Foreign Representatives. Second is my viewpoint on the youth program that has been established by the US Embassy has somewhat changed. The overall objective is indeed sound. I do have misgivings on why such a hugely funded program would bypass government systems and directly target youth but then again different paths are always open to adoption. I reserve the idea that this may be an affront to sovereignty but am sure there must be a way of trying to work with the system even if its broken because the shift for thinking amongst the youth should be away from associating development with politics but more with policy because even the best or trustworthy of politicians who have no clue on sound policy drives will not deliver the change that's needed. The youth must see the benefit of having good politicians who understand the shaping of overall policy for the benefit of this country. Vital point would be to make it clear that Government is not the politicians of the day. Government functions with or without politicians and it is the custodian of policy. Therefore Government as an institution is not the enemy and the youth must work with the Government to shape long-term policy as they advocate for a leadership of integrity. My case rests on the fact that if we invest to much on political reform that is devoid of making it clear to the youth of this country the link that politics has to policy and how to translate that link into the selection of leadership then this agenda that's driven by the US is bound to fail.
I must also point out that even the NYF in itself has not been quite reaching out platform thats its envisioned to be. Frankly, I for one have never interacted with either one of its leaders or members yet apart from maybe seeing them on TV or the occasional briefing email on acts long done. But then again you can never reach everyone, or can you?
The title of this post is fashioned from the statement of the American Ambassador. I must say I do admire his courage and work ethic. He does make it clear that he does have more than his fair share of stress. 7 stress areas as opposed to the general 3, he puts it. Well, when you are dealing with the current calibre of politicians as we have here then you are bound to bear those stress levels. But thanks for hanging in there for Kenya.
And so there you have it. Am shocked what a mindspeak edition can do in shaping viewpoints. It must be said Aly Khan Satchu is on to something. Join me for the next on, wont you?
