Speeches

Eastern Africa Representative Remarks at Tuvuke Initiative Launch

Ladies and gentlemen, to say that I am thrilled to be here is perhaps one of the greatest understatements of this morning. I cannot begin to tell you the deep joy that comes to my heart as I participate with you in what I consider one of the most important steps that Kenya is making in her long trek to Democracy City. And I can assure you that what has been done here today, and what is planned as part of this process, will serve as a source of inspiration for all peace-loving people of this great nation. In 1963, when the fathers and mothers of this nation wrote in our national anthem, “May we dwell in unity, peace and liberty,” it was both an earnest prayer and a clarion call. This morning, we are here in answer to that clarion call. And for this I salute our partners, the members of Tuvuke Initiative, and their partners.

The Ford Foundation, headquartered in New York City, is a private philanthropic institution that supports visionary leaders and organizations working on the frontlines of social change worldwide. Our goals for more than half a century have been to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice, promote international cooperation and advance human achievement. In addition to the headquarters, the foundation works in ten other regions across the world, mainly in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. The office for Eastern Africa, based here in Nairobi, Kenya, is one of those ten regional offices.

The Ford Foundation began working in East Africa in 1962, just as newly independent states were emerging across the region. In the five decades since, the foundation has played a key role in the region’s development. The foundation funded the first microfinance organizations in East Africa, for example, which now serve more than one million low-income households in Kenya alone. Early foundation support for scholarships trained two generations of government, academic and civil society leaders. Early human rights grantees such as the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers and the Kenya Human Rights Commission are today leading voices in advancing constitutional reform and access to justice for historically excluded voices. And support for innovative community-based resource management approaches is now widely replicated by government agencies, benefiting rural communities that derive livelihoods from wildlife and forestry—to name just a few areas of impact on a large scale. The foundation has been a leading supporter of the arts, creative expression and new media as well.

In those 50 years of working in partnership with the people of East Africa, the foundation has invested nearly $300 million in the region, helping lay a foundation for democracy by supporting the growth of civil society, advancing women’s rights, developing leaders in key sectors and strengthening government. Today the foundation provides some $12 million each year to support Kenyan, Ugandan and Tanzanian institutions working for a freer, fairer and more prosperous East Africa. The work we support is designed to break down the barriers that too often prevent East Africans from contributing to the region’s future and acting as engaged citizens.

Looking back at the last four years alone, Kenyans can be justly proud that these efforts have been led by home-grown leadership and grassroots efforts. That leadership continues to be present here this morning, from civil society, religious leaders, government, the private sector and the civil service including the judiciary represented here today by none other than its very head, the honorable chief justice, who embodies both past and current struggles for justice. Their commitment to human dignity and opportunity for all their fellow citizens inspires us as a foundation.

Ladies and gentlemen, friends, about four years ago, Kenya sneezed—and the region caught a massive cold. Indeed, the whole world had a high fever. Therefore as we revel in this sunshine today, we must not forget the rains of yesterday. Whether the Kenyan general elections are held in the year 2012 or 2013 they will be a watershed. If the crisis we faced in the aftermath of the 2007 elections taught us anything, it is that in this country, we rise or fall together as one nation, one people.

I believe that this is a time of incredible promise for this country. As a foundation, we see renewed constitutional democracies in East Africa with Kenya firmly in the leadership position. We see civil society organizations that have become stronger. Be that as it may, the challenge we face is that millions of people are still excluded from opportunity in our region, and in this country. But hope springs eternal. The organizations we support are united in a belief that the promise of democracy can only be realized if all people participate fully and peacefully in the decisions that affect their lives. That’s why we’re so proud to support the Tuvuke Initiative.

This year, the foundation’s office for Eastern Africa celebrates 50 years of work in the region. As we celebrate our past achievements together with our partners, the foundation is looking to both the past and the future in an effort to enhance our work’s continuity, and assess our grant-making strategies and practices. As part of our celebrations and to mark a further commitment to Kenya, the foundation agreed to support the Tuvuke Initiative. It is our firm belief that this $2 million grant toward a peaceful and fair electoral process, led by 17 civil society organizations, will add the impetus necessary to advance a vision of democracy, peace and civic engagement in this country and the broader region.

As I close, let me share with you three lessons that we have learned from our work in this region and others. First, that in the journey of national development, exclusion of others from critical processes is a dead-end street. Second, that nothing is ever easy. The process you start today will be no exception. And third: that positive change does come, sooner or later. I resume my seat thoroughly convinced that with this launch today, we are firmly on the path to transforming the dark yesterdays into brighter tomorrows.

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