Kibaki raps media, activists for Kenya gloom
* President says critics only dwell on "negative" side
* Polls show widespread disillusionment
* Kibaki launches programme to feed hungry, create jobs
By Andrew Cawthorne
NAIROBI, March 12 (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki blamed "negative" media and civil society groups on Thursday for whipping up national discontent that is proving a major challenge for his one-year-old coalition government.
Kibaki, 77, joined forces with then opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2008 to form a unity government ending two months of post-election violence that killed 1,300 people, uprooted a further 300,000 and set back east Africa's biggest economy.
Opinion polls and some street protests show, however, that most Kenyans think the government has done little to halt economic decline, push political reform, stop graft or rein in security forces accused of hundreds of extra-judicial killings.
Kibaki, who likes to stay above the fray of day-to-day politics, said journalists, non-governmental organisations and some politicians were responsible for inciting Kenyans.
"I wish to challenge the media, civil society and political leaders in the country to focus on the challenges we are facing constructively and positively instead of dwelling on negative statements and actions which tend to lead to uncertainty and despondency among our people," he said.
The president, who shares power with Odinga as prime minister in a delicate coalition arrangement that neither man's party is happy with, was speaking at an event to launch a programme to help the hungry and employ youth.
"NEGATIVE" THINKING
Kenya says 10 million people, out of its population of about 35 million, need food aid. Foreign donors have been reluctant to channel relief through the government, however, due to concerns over corruption in ministries.
"We will not be able to defeat hunger and famine, create enough jobs for the youth and do all the things that will make Kenya a great country if we continue to indulge in negative thinking and politics," Kibaki added.
He said the "Work for Youth" programme he was launching aimed to provide aid for 5 million hungry Kenyans, and generate 300,000 jobs for young people over the next six months in water, forestry, roads and waste management programmes.
"While we have many challenges that need to be addressed, we also have many things that are going well for the country. Let us spend as much effort in the media and civil society in showing what is working well even as we seek solutions to outstanding challenges," Kibaki said.
"I also urge political leaders to complete the transition from campaign politics to politics of development by focusing on issues that are of greatest economic and social welfare for all Kenyans." - For an analysis of the Kenyan political scene please click [ID:n6407762] - For a story on protests in Kenya please click [ID:nLAO91813] (Editing by Daniel Wallis)
* Polls show widespread disillusionment
* Kibaki launches programme to feed hungry, create jobs
By Andrew Cawthorne
NAIROBI, March 12 (Reuters) - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki blamed "negative" media and civil society groups on Thursday for whipping up national discontent that is proving a major challenge for his one-year-old coalition government.
Kibaki, 77, joined forces with then opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2008 to form a unity government ending two months of post-election violence that killed 1,300 people, uprooted a further 300,000 and set back east Africa's biggest economy.
Opinion polls and some street protests show, however, that most Kenyans think the government has done little to halt economic decline, push political reform, stop graft or rein in security forces accused of hundreds of extra-judicial killings.
Kibaki, who likes to stay above the fray of day-to-day politics, said journalists, non-governmental organisations and some politicians were responsible for inciting Kenyans.
"I wish to challenge the media, civil society and political leaders in the country to focus on the challenges we are facing constructively and positively instead of dwelling on negative statements and actions which tend to lead to uncertainty and despondency among our people," he said.
The president, who shares power with Odinga as prime minister in a delicate coalition arrangement that neither man's party is happy with, was speaking at an event to launch a programme to help the hungry and employ youth.
"NEGATIVE" THINKING
Kenya says 10 million people, out of its population of about 35 million, need food aid. Foreign donors have been reluctant to channel relief through the government, however, due to concerns over corruption in ministries.
"We will not be able to defeat hunger and famine, create enough jobs for the youth and do all the things that will make Kenya a great country if we continue to indulge in negative thinking and politics," Kibaki added.
He said the "Work for Youth" programme he was launching aimed to provide aid for 5 million hungry Kenyans, and generate 300,000 jobs for young people over the next six months in water, forestry, roads and waste management programmes.
"While we have many challenges that need to be addressed, we also have many things that are going well for the country. Let us spend as much effort in the media and civil society in showing what is working well even as we seek solutions to outstanding challenges," Kibaki said.
"I also urge political leaders to complete the transition from campaign politics to politics of development by focusing on issues that are of greatest economic and social welfare for all Kenyans." - For an analysis of the Kenyan political scene please click [ID:n6407762] - For a story on protests in Kenya please click [ID:nLAO91813] (Editing by Daniel Wallis)
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