Cablegate: Kenyan Ministries Named and Shamed in Performance

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DE RUEHNR #5261 3481202
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141202Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6023
INFO RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA PRIORITY 8999
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM PRIORITY 5010
RUEHDJ/AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI PRIORITY 4480
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA PRIORITY 1736
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY 2096
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 2062
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UNCLAS NAIROBI 005261

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LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV KE
SUBJECT: KENYAN MINISTRIES NAMED AND SHAMED IN PERFORMANCE
EVALUATION

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1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In a positive development for government
accountability in Kenya, the results of a performance
evaluation of public agencies were announced on December 8.
Equally noteworthy, President Kibaki insisted on the
presentation of the full results, including the
under-performers, during a ceremony at which he awarded the
top ministries. Among the offices that received praise were
Internal Security, Roads, and Information; one of the worst
performers was Vice President Moody Awori's Home Affairs.
END SUMMARY.

2. (U) On December 8, the Government of Kenya announced the
results of an evaluation of progress against "performance
contracts" that officials in each ministry had signed in
2005. The assessment was conducted by "private experts" from
academia, professional associations, and the private sector,
according to the Government. None of the country's 34
ministries made the top tier, "excellent," but 29 were listed
as "very good." The top five ministries were Agriculture,
National Heritage, Tourism and Wildlife, Internal Security
and Information. In a black mark for State House, Awori's
Home Affairs was fifth from the bottom, with Foreign Affairs,
East African Community, Transport, and Attorney General Amos
Wako's State Law Office rounding out the worst five.

3. (U) The President who, according to media reports, was
scheduled only to hand out awards to the top three ministries
(and parastatal corporations; which were also evaluated)
delayed his departure from the ceremony to hear the full
list, including poor performers.

4. (SBU) COMMENT: The Government's initiative and public
follow-up are a positive development. Just as significant as
the Government's self-examination was Kibaki's interest in
the process. The President's insistence on knowing exactly
who performed and who did not is a signal of his personal
engagement - a quality he has lacked as President. END
COMMENT.
RANNEBERGER

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