Kenya

Both the political dialogue and development cooperation between Kenya and Norway are focused on democratic reform and human rights. The goal is to support the reform process to prevent new violent conflict in Kenya, which is also of great importance for the economy, poverty reduction and stability in the East African region as a whole. This is in line with Kenya's own priorities, including the Vision 2030 strategy.

Norway was among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Kenya after the country's independence in 1963. Until 1990, Kenya was an important partner country for Norwegian development assistance, but the break in diplomatic ties in 1990 meant that all government-to-government aid ceased. Although diplomatic relations were restored in 1994, development cooperation was only resumed in 2004.

The total development assistance to Kenya in 2010 was nearly NOK 80 million, of which NOK 36 million was administered by the Norwegian Embassy. In recent years, Kenya has been working to find solutions to the violent conflict in the wake of the December 2007 elections. Peace negotiations led by Kofi Annan resulted in an agreement on comprehensive social reforms, which would also address the underlying causes of conflict. This also led to an adjustment of the Norwegian development cooperation with Kenya. In addition to support for peace and reconciliation efforts, focus was also increasingly turned towards civil society work for democracy and human rights. The part of Norwegian development assistance to Kenya which is not administered by the Embassy, mainly supports Norwegian NGOs working in Kenya as well as various UN programmes.

Human rights

The International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations in Kenya affect the political situation. In December 2010 the ICC published the names of six Kenyans suspected of crimes against humanity. Among the six are central political and administrative leaders in Kenya. These are suspected of having planned and organised attacks against particular ethnic groups before and after the December 2007 elections. The ICC investigation in Kenya was a result of the fact that Kenya was unable to set up a local court to prosecute those responsible for the atrocities.

Norway closely follows ICC investigations and any resulting trials. It is important to Norway to support Kenya's national efforts for reconciliation between ethnic groups and legal prosecution of those responsible for atrocities. Together with other countries, Norway will closely monitor Kenya's work to secure witness protection, make public any discovered cases of violence to people, and consider whether to provide assistance in any given case.

New constitution

Big words were used by the press and politicians alike in the historic event of adopting a new constitution. –A new nation is born, proclaimed President Mwai Kibaki. To go back in history, in 1963 the founding father, Jomo Kenyatta, signed the document which made Kenya an independent nation. But the new constitution was drawn up in London – by the eventually hated British. And ever since then, the country's politicians have governed following the British model. When Kenyatta spoke to the people after independence in 1963, he said that the day marked the beginning of a new era and a new challenge in the history of the country. The current President Mwai Kibaki used almost the same words when he spoke after the Yes side won a huge victory for the new constitution. The referendum on the new constitution is seen as a major step towards more democratic and accountable governance in Kenya.

The Norwegian Embassy has been in dialogue with the Kenyan authorities on key political and economic reform processes – including the constitution. Norway's support, in collaboration with other donor countries, for election reform, a new constitution and referendum, contributed to the process that gave Kenya a new constitution after a peaceful referendum.

Humanitarian efforts

There is particular focus on food security – both in Kenya and the rest of the region. Northern areas are especially prone to drought and many refugees from Somalia cross the border. It has been important to strengthen the dialogue between donors and the Kenyan authorities to prevent humanitarian crises.

In 2010 the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the agreement called HAPPDA (Humanitarian Assistance and Protection to Persons Displaced in Africa) with the Norwegian Refugee Council. Over a period of three years, NOK 258 million (86 million per year) will be used in the organisation's programmes in Kenya, Somalia, DR Congo, Uganda, Sudan and Zimbabwe. The agreement is an important part of the follow-up of thematic priorities set out in White Paper 40 on Norwegian Humanitarian Policy (2008-2009). It emphasizes that the Norwegian government will give priority to measures for the protection and reintegration of refugees. NOK 2.36 billion was allocated to humanitarian assistance in 2010, and the Foreign Ministry sees clear benefits of multi-year framework agreements with aid organisations.

Gender equality

Female genital mutilation has long been an unspoken subject which is deeply rooted in culture and tradition. The Norwegian position is that change processes must start in local communities, with pressure from the authorities. Kenya is one of the countries in which Norway supports initiatives against female genital mutilation.