Not Exactly the Life of the Multi-Party : U.S. Should Cut Off Military--but Not Economic--Aid to Moi’s Kenya

Democracy is losing ground in East Africa. Kenya, cited as a model of political stability in contrast to neighboring countries run by corrupt and tyrannical leaders, is besieged by rioting sparked by a growing clamor for multiple political parties. And that causes a problem for Washington.

At least 28 people have died since Saturday, when a bitter national debate over an autocratic one-party system that denies all opposition and most basic freedoms, turned violent.

President Daniel Arap Moi banned competing political parties after a failed coup attempt eight years ago. He ended voting by secret ballot two years ago. Meanwhile, his party, the Kenya African National Union, is suspected of rigging elections and other corruption. Moi has also built up the military and promoted many loyal members of his tribe to senior officers to help silence his critics.

Any political criticism of Moi’s government invites harassment and detention without charges. Two former cabinet officials, leaders of the pro-democracy movement, are in detention along with 11 other opponents to one-party rule. Another leading critic, Gibson Kamau Kuria, a prominent human-rights lawyer who has defended political prisoners, had to seek refuge in the U.S. Embassy before fleeing to London.

Kuria’s asylum prompted Moi to criticize the United States. In response, the Bush Administration has called for a return of competing political parties. The crackdown has also prompted congressional leaders to ask the Bush Administration to freeze foreign aid, particularly military assistance, and to reconsider Kenya’s aid request for next year. Kenya depends heavily on foreign aid from many sources. It is the largest recipient of U.S. assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. The U.S. last year contributed $35 million in economic aid and $11 million for military aid. Freezing the military assistance is a good place to start putting more substantive pressure on Moi.

To regain international respect and financial support, Kenya’s president must restore the multi-party system, free all political prisoners, allow freedom of speech and end the goverment-led violence.

Black Africans fought bitterly for independence from repressive rulers during the colonial period. It would be sad if President Moi came to resemble those hated colonial oppressors.