After half a year under
the Jubilee government there is a formation of a clearer foreign policy that
can ultimately be tagged the UhuRuto doctrine; a modal shift in ideals and
practice from the previous coalition government or even the NARC government’s
strategy. It is more ambitious in nature, extremely hands on and has a larger
scope and mandate than any we have seen in recent Kenyan history.
Ever since the President took
office he has undertaken a foreign trip at the rate of a weekly visit per month.
The charming nature of the head of state has been his strongest asset in easily
securing new bonds and friendships with various other heads of states globally.
His new itinerary has jet set him into three continents, a fete that was not
even achieved under former President Kibaki’s administration within such a
small time span.
Debate has arisen as to the consequences of the modal
shift in foreign policy, espoused as more Eastern oriented and “snobbish” to
the West. Under the previous administration there was a perceived sense that
the government was friendly to all governments (even under increased Chinese
investments and a visit by Presidents Hu Jintao and Mahmoud Ahmedinejad), and a
multitude of visits by senior Obama administration officials (a visit by US Vice
Pres. Joe Biden and two by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton).
Currently, there have been limited visits by Western leaders and a photo op
with the British PM was turned down when the President went to the London
conference on Somalia. Obama’s perceived snub of Kenya was seen as a sting by
the Kenyan people.
In light of the new vote by the UN Security Council,
there was a raft of strong reactions emerging from Kenyan leaders, especially
from the Deputy President who mentioned that they now know who their true
friends are. Such sentiments I believe in the field of foreign policy should be
made with caution. I believe that every state should vote according to their
own conscious, noting that it is their sovereign right to do so accordingly.
Moving forward there must be increased dialogue with all players. Even the
British government dispatched its deputy National Security Advisor to the
cabinet last week to explain Her Majesty’s government’s position in light of
the UNSC vote, and how they shall push for video trials in the cases to avoid
the leaders not being present.
Kenya’s Foreign Affairs ministry has managed to lobby
various states throughout Africa and the world at large into supporting its
cause. The push is commendable, proving beyond a doubt that the country can
amass a large continental support base. When analyzing Kenya’s new foreign
policy shift and the massive efforts we are undertaking globally, it is
important to note that various states also do have an opinion of how we are
undertaking these challenges relating to the ICC. I still believe that
state-centralism is largely sporadic, with each international player acting
according to how they believe they shall gain an added advantage and remain
relevant in the international sphere, whilst balancing this out with the
perception in built by the countries citizens, after all a key shaper of
foreign policy is based upon the opinions and perceptions of the countries
citizens.
The country’s relation with the West must remain one
built on mutual cooperation and trust. In light of the Westgate attacks there
was vast international condemnation. Most of all it was the West that sent its
forensic experts to aid in the effort of the anthropological analysis. For over
a decade the country has sought assistance from the West on security,
educational and health related matters. These sectors still demand strong
investments from these quarters. It is therefore unlikely that the government
shall sever relations anytime soon with the West over the ICC cases.
Pentagon
officials recently disclosed an upsurge in their cooperation and expansion
efforts in assisting the Kenyan army and security forces, especially at the
Manda Bay airstrip (this will be done also at the US base in Djibouti). This is
part of the push to secure the greater Horn of Africa region against terrorism
and piracy. Off the Kenyan coast there is the NATO based operation ATALANTA,
which consists of NATO ships used to counter pirate attacks and escort ships in
international waters. Also recently a US based energy firm came on board into
pumping funds to power up the 100MW wind turbine plant in Kajiado under the
Power Africa initiative launched by President Obama during his recent trip to
Tanzania. The National Treasury is also about to debut its largest ever
Eurobond next year, with the lead consultant being JP Morgan. Such efforts
prove that there is a lasting and strong relationship between Kenya and other
development partners such as the US and other Western peers.
Much hype has been created on social media on the
government shifting its focus more towards the East and sidelining the West.
These are detrimental sentiments that add no value to the prestige,
international appeal or broader image of the country. Yes, the country must forge
new ties throughout the world; but we must also have the ability to remain
cordial with old friends even in times of strain. The country has coexisted in
a neighborhood filled with conflict over many years yet we have remained
cordial with them all. We must now do the same in times of a difference of
opinion that involves us directly.
Recent
parliamentary debate by some Kenyan MP’s have been negatively obstinate towards the British government, especially
after the deputy National Security Advisor to the cabinet was in the country
immediately after the UNSC vote and presented the government with an offer from
the British government in pushing for a video trial at the Hague, which has
been taken negatively as a counter proposal towards their push for immunity for
the President and his deputy. The speaker has decided to allow the house to
debate the UK and its foreign relations with Kenya.
Great exception must be paid towards Kenya’s relationship
with any state. If we immediately decide to castigate the British government
over a difference in opinion then how likely will we be to do the same to other
countries throughout the world, especially those that are smaller than ours?
Will a mere difference of opinion attract the wrath of Kenyan MP’s or the stern
warnings of our Foreign Ministry? Should we not be using diplomatic undertones
rather than overt rhetoric to solve our differences?
Chest thumping may be well and good (and quite justly the
defining nature of the 10th parliament), but it is also detrimental towards
the development of the country’s foreign relations if we take hard positions
and refuse to compromise with all players or offer voices of reason. It is
noteworthy that even before the UNSC vote it was conclusive that the resolution
would not pass, so there was no surprise there. The un-moderated caucuses that
were held in the day’s privy to the vote would have indicated that many states
would abstain, and significantly enough there was no out right refusal. If
parliament wants to debate the conduct of the British government over the UNSC
decision, then it must do the same to the other eight countries that abstained
alongside the UK, otherwise the argument would prove to be baseless.
Will
there be a change in the relations with the West with all these new and ongoing
developments? I seemingly doubt. Our development partners remain strong friends
in many of our development needs, having “provided Ksh. 212 billion to
education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and natural resources,
economic growth and wealth creation, human rights, women’s advancement, and
governance” (Daily Nation, p.13, 11/20/13).
Top 10 Export
Destination
|
|
|||
|
|
US Dollars (Million)
|
% of total exports
|
|
1
|
Uganda
|
67,450
|
13
|
|
2
|
Tanzania
|
46,036
|
8.9
|
|
3
|
UK
|
40,630
|
7.8
|
|
4
|
Netherlands
|
31,056
|
6
|
|
5
|
UAE
|
28,608
|
5.5
|
|
6
|
USA
|
26,405
|
5.1
|
|
7
|
Pakistan
|
23,889
|
4.6
|
|
8
|
Egypt
|
21,464
|
4.1
|
|
9
|
Rwanda
|
16,151
|
3.1
|
|
10
|
Germany
|
9,771
|
1.9
|
|
|
Total
|
517,847
|
60.1
|
|
Source: KNBS, Economic
Survey 2013
Noting the chart above, many of our development partners
have remained the same for a number of years. Our export based market has been
largely built on coffee, tea, horticulture and manufactured goods that are
shipped out to these countries. Our relationship based on our economic
stability and growth is founded on the principle of ensuring that there is an
appetite for our produce in these countries. The UK alone accounts for our
largest foreign investor and highest number of tourists visiting the country
each year. Significantly enough, Pakistan, USA and the UK all abstained during
the UNSC vote, and they represent nearly 20 percent of our total exports for
2012, with strong indications showing that the growth is expected to climb when
accounting for 2013 begins.
Going East is based on the premise that our
development gap can be financed through various actors across South East Asia,
China, Japan and South Korea. The assumption is not flawed, based on the
impetus in funds that the government has gained from the region over the past
six months. However, there are also opportunities to increase the countries
investment in businesses that demand high skill and significantly more
advancements than what is offered in Asia. This includes the technological
sphere mostly, where the country is making unprecedented growth vis-à-vis its
African counterparts. Blue chip firms and large multinational corporations have
set up base in Kenya, including IBM, Google, and GE amongst others. This is a
representation of their confidence in the country. Strong measures should be
undertaken to ensure that we maintain this reputation and continue attracting
not only Western firms, but also large conglomerates from Asia and South
America.
Rhetoric may continue to gain traction amongst the President’s
supporters, but there shall largely remain little change with Western
countries. Our foreign policy shall continue to seek newer development partners
especially from the BRIC nations and other newer emerging markets. However, old
partners shall continue to add great impetus in our development needs and
investments, even though the backdrop of the global financial crisis continues
to act as a dogma that a financial crunch still exists, yet private enterprises
have more cash reserves than ever before. Various alternatives can reduce the
need to pay higher interest rates in future, so it is crucial that we leave a
larger base of options for the future in order as to ensure the country has a
higher bargaining power.