Peter Leftie
23 March 2011
Nairobi — The US predicted the outbreak of violence in the 2007 General Election 10 months before Kenyans cast their votes.
In a cable posted to Washington on February 5, 2007, ambassador Michael Ranneberger warned that the increasing tribalisation of Kenyan politics could plunge the country into chaos in the run-up to the elections.
“Given the increasing tribalisation of politics in Kenya, we have reason to believe that elections-related and inter-ethnic violence is a distinct possibility in 2007, leading up the 2007 national elections,” Mr Ranneberger warned while asking for funds to train Kenyan police in civil disorder management.
Shoot-to-kill policy
The envoy said the Kenya police lacked the capacity to resolve ethnic-related violence, making it critical for Washington to provide funds to offer training in that area.
“The Internal Security minister’s recent announcement of a shoot-to-kill policy for Kenya’s criminals underscores the critical need for this type of training,” he noted.
“We have an opportunity to demonstrate a shared interest in protecting this democratic process as well as to respond to a genuine need in a timely and effective manner,” Mr Ranneberger stated.
He said there was need to train the Kenya police on ways of engaging demonstrators and defusing conflicts.
“The training should place significant emphasis on respect for human rights and human dignity and the use of non-lethal force,” he advised.
“Careful instruction on the rules of engagement has the potential to save lives, minimise the escalation of violence, and protect every Kenyan’s right to participate in the democratic process.”
The killing of two Americans based at the US embassy in Nairobi during a carjacking incident had jolted Mr Ranneberger into seeking funds from his government to fight violent crime in Kenya.
“Increased violent crime over the past several months – highlighted by the January 27 killing of two American Mission family members in a carjacking – has heightened my concern about the Government of Kenya’s ability to adequately respond to both criminal and terrorist threats to its national security,” the envoy stated.
AllAfrica – All the Time
Excerpt from:
Kenya: Wikileaks – U.S. ‘Predicted Post-Election Chaos’