Kenyan labour unions deny U.S funding claims

KBC Kenya Broadcasting Corporation ^ | July 20,2010 | Sylvester Ruto

[YankeeReb]

Labour unions affiliated to the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) have dismissed claims by the No team that COTU and other organizations were being funded by the United States to push for the passing of the proposed constitution.

Addressing a press conference in Nairobi Tuesday, union leaders said COTU has over 1.5 million members who have financed the rallies the organization has been holding countrywide in a bid to sensitize Kenyans on the contents of the document.

There have been claims that the US government has used over 23 million dollars to fund the Yes camp with the US ambassador to Kenya Micheal Ranneberger coming under fire over his alleged involvement in the campaign for the proposed constitution.

However the government has vehemently denied the claims that the US was meddling in the constitution making process terming them baseless and aimed at confusing Kenyans over the government's intent of pushing for a new constitution.

On Friday Justice Affairs Minister Mutula Kilonzo said the US government was only facilitating the ongoing civic education.

Three Republican members of the U.S. Congress have also accused the Obama administration of using money meant for civic education in Kenya to back a draft constitution that they fear would increase access to abortion in the country.

The U.S. Embassy on Friday said it has provided about $11 million in support of constitutional reform in Kenya, but that an investigation into the funds found that nine of more than 200 subgrantees supported the Yes campaign. A spokeswoman said the embassy has since suspended or concluded those nine grants.

A part of U.S. law known as the Siljander Amendment makes it illegal for foreign assistance funds to be used to lobby for or against abortion.

[YankeeReb]

Hussain bringing Chicago style corruption to the old hometown. Why not divert some of that money being funneled towards getting his brother out of that mud hut he lives in.

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...labour unions.....nuff said....