A series of U.S. taxpayer-funded agreements awarded to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) by the Obama Administration clearly contradicts recent statements issued by the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi claiming neutrality in the Kenya constitutional referendum scheduled for a vote in early August.
"There is no doubt that the Obama Administration is funding the 'yes' campaign in Kenya," said Rep. Chris Smith, one of three U.S. lawmakers who have requested an investigation into U.S. activities leading up to the referendum on a proposed constitution that would liberalize the abortion law in Kenya.
"By funding NGOs charged with obtaining 'yes' votes, the Administration has crossed the line," he said.
"Directly supporting efforts to register 'yes' voters and 'get out the yes vote' means the U.S. government is running a political campaign in Kenya. U.S. taxpayer funds should not be used to support one side or the other."
As part of ongoing discussions with the Office of the Inspector General of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Representatives Smith (Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee), and Darrell Issa (Ranking Member of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee) received a chart listing USAID funding recipients and a summary of their agreements.
For example, two organizations are receiving over $150,000 to "contribute to an 'overrepresentation' of the YES voters," and five organizations have been charged with registering a total of 100,000 "for a YES vote" at the referendum. Other Kenyan groups are being given funding for similar YES vote efforts.
"The draft constitution, with its controversial provisions expanding access to abortion, is a matter for the Kenyan people to consider and decide," Smith said. "The Obama Administration should immediately withdraw all U.S. taxpayer funding used to buy votes and influence the outcome on the referendum."
Contact: Jeff Sagnip
Source: Congressman Chris Smith
Date Published: July 14, 2010
