Release of findings a key step in resolving critical issues

The release of the Kriegler report is another key step in the long journey Kenya must travel to resolve critical issues identified as the real causes of the election crisis during the National Dialogue and Reconciliation talks.

The mediators identified six critical issues, otherwise known as Agenda Four, which the country must pay adequate attention to, to avoid a repeat of the violence.

They included land reform, tackling poverty, inequality and regional imbalance, and creating employment.

Reforming the Constitution, was also considered important, as were transparency, accountability and impunity, as well as consolidating national cohesion and unity.

Agenda Four was just one of the agreements signed earlier in the year.

Others were stopping the violence that claimed more than 1,200 lives, assisting about 350,000 displaced people and the resolution of the political crisis.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet ministers William Ruto, Sally Kosgei and James Orengo represented ODM in the talks.

PNU was represented by Cabinet ministers Martha Karua, Sam Ongeri, Mutula Kilonzo and Moses Wetang’ula.

Although the provisions of the first three agreements have already been achieved, it is on Agenda Four that many people are keen on seeing resolution and the Government appears to be on the right track.

On the land question, one of the most controversial in the country, the Government has already developed the National Land Reform Policy.

The policy, Lands minister James Orengo says, will guide resolution of land disputes, including those arising from historical injustices such as land grabbing and displacement.

During the mediated talks, it was agreed that the country would get a new constitution in 100 days.

To this end, the Government has published its roadmap to a new constitution and two key Bills – the Constitutional of Kenya Review Act 2008 and the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Act 2008 – to jumpstart the process.

The two Bills are still in Parliament and are expected to be passed soon, Justice minister Martha Karua said recently.

The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Bill and the Ethnic Relations Bill have been published to address transparency, accountability and impunity, as well as consolidate national cohesion and unity.

President Kibaki has created a National Cohesion department to promote a sense of unity among Kenyans.

The formation of the Ministry of Northern Kenya and Arid Lands Development has also been praised as a positive move in addressing inequality and regional imbalance.

However, the Government scores poorly in the creation of employment, owing to the rise in the number of the unemployed.

Although youth and women’s funds have been set up to enable these groups access business capital, many say the cash has not trickled down to many individuals.

But the realisation of these goals was almost interfered with, as the talks were cancelled several times for a number of reasons, casting doubts on the seriousness of the mediators.

And when the talks wound up recently, the mediators promised that a team would be set up to monitor the agreements. It is not clear whether that team has been set up.