Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The recent uprising was caused by long-standing issues, particularly land distribution and old scores. Kenya is a large, diverse country with 35 million people and 45 ethnic groups. Difficult ethnic issues exist and it has been reasonably well governed in recent years. Unfortunately, its difficulties came to a head because of the suspicion about the election. This is one of the priorities of the peace agreement, which has received widespread public support in Kenya.

I am not aware of the number of Irish citizens in Kenya but there is no doubt that during recent events the ability of the Department to access information about individuals in trouble was greatly assisted by the substantial number of missionaries and Irish religious people resident in Kenya.

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