US renews push for Kenya reforms

The US Government has renewed its call for accelerated pace of reforms in the country saying it was critical for achieving reconciliation.

US ambassador Michael Ranneberger, who was addressing women leaders at a ceremony to mark the end of the two-week activism for the elimination of violence against women, directed his criticism at the government accusing top leaders of giving the process lip service.

“People are tired and they now need change,” he said.

“There is a movement building up in Kenya to push for reforms and development that the leaders must realise.”

The envoy appealed to Kenyans to seize the opportunity created by last year’s post-election violence to initiate reforms central to addressing women issues and rights.

“Kenya has a historic moment of opportunity after the post election violence last year. It is important that the leaders take advantage of this opportunity created by the crisis to advance change, otherwise, the opportunity will be lost and no one wants to think of this.”

He emphasised that leaders who fanned the chaos must be held accountable to prevent a repeat. The envoy criticised those opposed to the International Criminal Court trying the perpetrators of the post-election violence accusing them of attempting to divert attention from the real issues of nationwide healing and reconciliation.

“The country is yet to heal and politicians who are telling us to forget what happened are creating a recipe for chaos.”

At the same time, he led the chorus for enactment of laws that protect women’s rights and encourage their participation in political and economic processes.

The US government faulted Kenya’s human rights record, particularly the slow progress of the essential reforms to the constitution that would allow more women involvement in democratic processes.

Mr Ranneberger observed that Kenya had the worst record in allowing women participation in the region.

The country has made commendable strides through the establishment of Women Enterprise Fund and the enactment of the Sexual Offences Act, noted Mr Ranneberger, but emphasised the country needed to do a lot more in this respect.

“If you look at the basics then you realize there is a long way to go,”

While the sexual Offences Act 2006 is a good initiative by the people of Kenya to end abuse and discrimination against women, Mr Ranneberger regretted that the Act has not been fully implemented.

The envisaged constitutional and institutional reforms, he said, needed to be accelerated to open the way for more women to ascend into decision-making levels in public service. The reforms should also target the police and judiciary, he said, so that women victims can report cases of abuse and expect justice.

For instance, during the post-election violence period, the Nairobi Women’s Hospital Gender-Based Recovery Unit reported counselling 1710 survivors in the IDP camps. Between December 27, 2007 when Kenyans went out to vote and February 29, 2008 when the Accord was signed, the unit reportedly treated 443 survivors of gender based violence and 80 per cent were rape and defilement cases.

The envoy also took on the government on the administration of the Women Enterprise Fund whose management he noted was lacking transparency.

The end of the 16 days of activism for the elimination of violence against women coincides with the International Human Rights day. Mr Ranneberger said this was important since violence committed against women amounts to fundamental violation of human rights.