Kenya: Reconciliation Conference Roots for Electoral and Judicial Reforms
By George Okore
NAIROBI---An international meeting to assess gains and milestones the ruling Grand Coalition Government has achieved ended with fresh appeal for peace and reconciliation as the country goes to elections next year.
The third Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Conference, organized by Kofi Annan Foundation and Pan African Panel of Eminent Personalities, recommended more legal, administrative and electoral reforms to avoid the post 2007 election violence which killed over 1, 300 Kenyans in just over two months.
Chief Mediator to the post-election crisis and former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Anan urged Kenyans to jealously guard the various gains the country has achieved since the promulgation of a new constitution last year.
“The constitution can promote true progress in Kenya, but this must be complimented by the integrity of the electoral process to achieve a united and cohesive society. The engagement and participation of all Kenyans in determining the future of their country will go along way in building a stable, secure and prosperous country," Dr Annan said.
He urged Kenyans to guard values enshrined in the constitution and urged President Kibaki and Premier Raila Odinga to ensure Kenya is ready for credible elections next year to avoid a repeat of what happened after the 2007 general elections. Dr Anan said in Nairobi that the government must encourage conditions for sustained progress and prosperity.
The conference on sustaining gains achieved since the promulgation of the new Constitution was also addressed by South African judge John Kreigler, who chaired the independent inquiry into the bungled 2007 general elections and pleaded for political goodwill, voter education and credible electoral process as a prerequisite for a peaceful and prosperous Kenya. He challenged Kenyans to own the reform agenda and asked the 10th Parliament to press ahead with reforms.
Addressing the two day conference, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said that the country has no option but to galvanize the reform momentum ushered in by the new constitution to realize progress for all citizens. The PM noted that implementation of the constitution is on course although the process faces some challenges. He expressed concerns over last week's Transparency International’s report that ranked the country at number 154 out of 178 countries on global corruption index, a further fall from last year's bleak rating.
Speaking at the same function, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga told State officers to enforce the Constitution fully or resign. Dr Mutunga said complying with Kenya's new Constitution was not an option however unpalatable some officers may find its provisions. The meeting was unanimous that Kenyans must uphold the spirit, principles and values of the new constitution, which must be supplemented by genuine dialogue with all stakeholders. At the meeting, various speakers submitted respective visions for building a progressive Kenya.
The third international conference on Kenya, follows an earlier meeting in Geneva (2009), Kenya (2010) and was graced by eminent African personalities including former Mozambican and South African first lady Graca Machel, former Presidents John Kufuor (Ghana), Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania) and Ketumile Masire (Botswana).