Reading Alex’s recent post on Kenya, I was reminded of a snippet I put on my own mini- and not-very-productive blog exactly two years ago today (excuse the blatant plug).
One of the “fundamental realities” that western governments engaged with Kenya “swept under the carpet” was, of course, corruption. Hillary Benn, then Britain’s Minister for International Development, knew about Kenyan corruption but let it pass. On his return from a trip to the country in 2006, he reported in a speech to the Royal African Society that, “In Kenya I met President Kibaki. We had a full and frank discussion, as they say, about the persistence of corruption. I made no secret of our concern. During the same visit, I also announced that we will be putting £55 million into improving education.” Or in other words, have some more money to feed your greed.
As I cynically implied back then, maybe Kibaki had learned the art of hoodwinking the west from the master of the craft, Joseph Mobutu.
