The United States (US) government has angrily reacted after Kenya terminated a Sh2 Billion American-funded civic education programme.
Through ambassador Robert Godec, US dismissed allegations that the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) had been running an illegal programme since it was not recognised in Kenya.
Godec maintained that IFES was a respected and registered organisation with “deep expertise and experience in supporting democratic elections around the world.”
The programme being run under USAID was dubbed “Kenya Electoral Assistance Program (KEAP)” and had been educating Kenyans on electoral matters ahead of the 2017 polls.
"We are disappointed by the attempt to discredit the United States’ efforts to assist Kenyans in the conduct of free, fair, peaceful, and credible elections in 2017. Our assistance was requested by the Government of Kenya and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” read a statement from the embassy.
The Ambassador assured that the programme had been transparent and did not support any candidate or side of the political divide.
On Monday, the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coordination Board suspended the initiative noting that IFES did not exist in its record of companies operating in Kenya.
“Records held by the NGO board shows that IFES is not a registered body in Kenya and therefore lacks the legal status to operate in the country. In addition, section 22 (1) of cap 134 laws Kenya clearly outlaws and prescribes penalties and jail term for the operation of an NGO in Kenya without registration,” stated the Board.
This comes a week after President Uhuru Kenyatta claimed that there was a plan by international communities to influence the 2017 elections.
He stated that there was already money being distributed from abroad in the guise of supporting good governance and civic education but "the true intention is to influence our electoral choices."
Here is the statement:
