Washington D.C., Jul 17, 2010 / 14:36 pm
Despite the U.S. Embassy to Kenya’s claim that the U.S. government is neutral in the Kenyan constitutional referendum, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) charged that the Obama administration has given over $23 million to push the new legislation. The proposed constitution has faced criticism for creating an opening to legalize abortion and for recognizing Muslim courts.
On July 12, the U.S. Embassy to Kenya argued in a statement that “some leaders” are being divisive and spreading “categorically” false claims that the U.S. Embassy is “providing funding to Members of Parliament to support the ‘yes’ campaign.”
Although the embassy denied the U.S. is funding Members of Parliament, Congressman Smith stated that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been supporting non-government groups specifically to encourage votes for the proposed constitution.
“There is no doubt that the Obama Administration is funding the ‘yes’ campaign in Kenya,” Rep. Smith commented in July 14 statement, charging that the administration has “crossed the line.”