The WikiLeaks diplomatic cables concerning Kenya revealed sensitive U.S. assessments of Kenyan politics, corruption, and security issues.
Key Political Figures Mentioned
- Mwai Kibaki (President at the time)
- Raila Odinga (Prime Minister after the 2007–08 crisis)
- Kalonzo Musyoka (Vice President)
- George Saitoti (Internal Security Minister)
- John Michuki (Minister of Internal Security, noted for harsh crackdowns)
- James Wanjigi, Deepak Kamani, Alfred Getonga, Anura Perera (businessmen flagged in corruption-related cables)
U.S. Ambassadors and Diplomats
- Michael Ranneberger (U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, 2006–2011)
- His cables often described Kenya as “a swamp of corruption” and warned of electoral violence.
- Embassy Nairobi staff contributed detailed reports on trafficking, governance, and security.
Notable Themes
- Corruption:
- Cables described Kenya’s political elite as deeply entrenched in graft.
- One cable noted: “Corruption in Kenya is not just pervasive, it is the system.”
- Election Violence (2007–08):
- U.S. diplomats warned of ethnic mobilization and the risk of violence before the disputed election.
- Security Concerns:
- Reports highlighted Kenya’s vulnerability to terrorism, especially from Somali militants.
- Human Trafficking:
- Embassy Nairobi submitted detailed figures for the U.S. Trafficking in Persons Report, noting hundreds of victims trafficked annually.
Financial Figures
- Cables referenced multi-million dollar scandals, including:
- The Anglo Leasing scandal, involving contracts worth over $750 million.
- Allegations that elites siphoned off hundreds of millions of dollars through fraudulent procurement deals.
- Businessmen like Kamani and Wanjigi were linked to questionable financial dealings flagged by U.S. officials.
Direct Quotations (as reported in summaries)
- Ambassador Ranneberger: “Kenya’s political class is only united when it comes to looting the state.”
- On security: “Kenya is a frontline state, but its institutions are hollowed out by corruption.”
TLDR
The cables painted a picture of Kenya as strategically important to the U.S., but plagued by corruption, weak institutions, and political violence.
