The United States halted aid to Kenya's anti-graft agencies on Tuesday saying the country lacked the will to fight corruption, in a warning that donors are fast tiring of unchecked official theft. US Ambassador to Kenya William Bellamy said Monday's surprise resignation of top anti-graft adviser John Githongo and government inaction have called into question Kenya's desire to end the graft hobbling east Africa's biggest economy.
"It makes no sense, obviously, to partner with a government whose commitment to improved governance is purely rhetorical and whose actions belie its statements of good intent," Bellamy said in a speech to a business group.
Until a clearer picture of Kenya's intentions emerges, Bellamy said the United States would withhold about 200 million shillings, or $2.5 million, earmarked to pay for Kenya's various anti-corruption agencies in 2005 and 2006.
"We cannot be helpful when all the evidence suggests that government isn't serious or, worse, that government is the source of the problem," he said.
It will also scrutinise Kenya's plans to apply for $7 million in aid to improve governance and anti-corruption, he said.
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