Arab News Editorial

The First World seems to be falling into a bad habit. When the international media focus falls upon a humanitarian crisis, be it in Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan or Kenya, promises of aid and bilateral help are readily made. For a few short weeks it looks as if something really is going to be done to help the locals end the history of past economic and social failure. Everybody is full of hope.

But then the realities start to set in. The local government is not yet well enough organized to accept substantial flows of aid; there is a danger that unless disbursement can be properly overseen, much of the aid given in cash or kind will be stolen. The security situation is not sufficiently stable to risk having First World officials or contractors on the ground in strength to assist with major infrastructural projects such as roads and hospitals and schools. For all these and many other apparently good reasons, past battlefields have yet to enjoy the dividends of investment and opportunity that were supposed to go with the peace. Hope is swallowed up by frustration, then despair and finally by resentment and anger.

Kenya of course is the odd one out of the above list because it did not emerge from conflict. The promises given the Kenyans by the international community came after the electorate decisively rejected the KANU party which had ruled Kenya since independence in 1963, and ruined it. Western governments were quick to promise financial and practical support to the new administration. But yet again, the money was a lot slower than the promises. Since President Mwai Kibaki and his National Rainbow Coalition came into office in December 2002, Kenyans have been waiting to see a major improvement in their lives. Last October a cleanout of corrupt judges and policemen began. Yesterday it was announced that police pay was to be doubled, thanks to the final arrival of funds promised by Germany. All of these moves are fine but it is a great pity they did not happen earlier.

Kenya’s police were underpaid and sometimes not paid at all. In such circumstances their abuse of power to extract petty bribes was understandable though not excusable. Their new wage, equivalent to $130 a month, is hardly wonderful but it represents a significant increase. It must be hoped that all Kenyan police officers understand that a living wage means they no longer have to resort to extortion, and that if they now break the law, they will lose their jobs. But how much more significant it would have been if policemen had been properly rewarded for their work, weeks rather than over a year after the elections.

The moral of the tale is that countries that make financial promises must keep them. They must give what they say they are going to give as soon as possible. It will be interesting watching Iraq.