We need well-structured national dialogue

President Uhuru Kenyatta delivers his maiden speech during the 69th United Nations General Assembly. President Uhuru Kenyatta has conceded that there is a need for national dialogue. He must follow this through and provide leadership and a suitable framework under which these discussions should take place. FILE PHOTO | PSCU

What you need to know:

  • One option would be a private one-on-one with Cord leader Raila Odinga as an individual. Where, when, and what they talk about would not be a subject of public debate. The outcome to be expected from such private talks is a lowering of public rhetoric.
  • The second, and more important, option would involve consultations from a wide range of stakeholders and representatives of the public. Care must be taken to ensure that there is no mischief.
  • To ensure stability as Kenyans reason together, the national dialogue should be staggered across several specialised forums designed to produce recommendations and suggestions for the government to consider.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has conceded that there is a need for national dialogue. He must follow this through and provide leadership and a suitable framework under which these discussions should take place.

One option would be a private one-on-one with Cord leader Raila Odinga as an individual. Where, when, and what they talk about would not be a subject of public debate. The outcome to be expected from such private talks is a lowering of public rhetoric.

The second, and more important, option would involve consultations from a wide range of stakeholders and representatives of the public. Care must be taken to ensure that there is no mischief.

In 2008, in an attempt to resolve an electoral dispute on the presidential vote, the Constitution was set aside and instead, leaders went to Serena Hotel to make decisions that Parliament passed into law, paving the way for the Grand Coalition government.

To avoid any confusion, the objectives of the national dialogue should be spelt out so that it is clear what the talks intend to achieve and what they do not. The President must provide leadership and a framework that allows Kenyans to reason together. It must be immune to manipulation aimed at unfairly benefit undeserving people.

BINDING

President Kenyatta should not set up a single forum for dialogue in the style of the constitutional conference at Bomas, nor use the format of negotiating teams, as was the case at Serena. This would wrongly elevate the forums to a level where decisions made there are perceived as being binding on the government.

To ensure stability as Kenyans reason together, the national dialogue should be staggered across several specialised forums designed to produce recommendations and suggestions for the government to consider.

Registered political parties should constitute one forum and be charged with the task of making recommendations on the conduct of politics, as outlined in Chapter Six, Article 10 of the Constitution. The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution should serve as a secretariat for a comprehensive audit of the Constitution. It should receive views from Kenyans and make recommendations on the way forward.

The National Economic and Social Council should take charge of all economic, social, and related issues that require attention and the Security Council should hear views concerning security. Such sessions need not be entirely public forums.

This would be more useful than trying to get a single forum or individuals to discuss everything.

The writer is a consultant in public affairs and policy. ([email protected])