President Daniel arap Moi's maneuverings ahead of December 27 elections could be taking place with the tacit approval of the Bush administration. A Washington Post report emphasised the importance of Kenya within the Horn of Africa region and its strategic importance in the US government’s planned war against Iraq. “The future of this East African nation has become increasingly important to the United States because Kenya is a relatively stable American ally in a neighbourhood that includes the warring nations of Sudan, Somalia, Rwanda and Congo. It may also be crucial if the United States decides to attack Iraq. Under agreements with the United States, Kenya could lend its Indian ocean bases,” the Post states.