Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation, Statement of Principles on Long-term Issues and Solutions
- Country/entityKenya
- RegionAfrica (excl MENA)
- Agreement nameKenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation, Statement of Principles on Long-term Issues and Solutions
- Date23 May 2008
- Agreement statusMultiparty signed/agreed
- Interim arrangementYes
- Agreement/conflict levelIntrastate/intrastate conflict ()
- StageFramework/substantive - partial
- Conflict natureGovernment
- Peace processKenya peace process
- PartiesGovernment/PNU and ODM
On the Behalf of the Government/PNU, Hon Martha Karua, Hon Sam Ongeri, Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, Hon. Moses Wetang'ula
On the Behalf of ODM, Hon. Musalia Mudavudi, Hon. William Ruto, Hon. Sally Kosgei, Hon. James Orengo - Third partiesWitnessed by: For the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, H.E. Oluyemi Adeniji - Session Chair
- DescriptionThe short agreement define the commitments made to address the long-term issues: A. Constitutional, institutional and legal reform); B. Land Reform; C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances; D. Unemployment, particularly among the youth; E. Consolidation of national Cohesion and unity; F. Transparency, Accountability and Impunity.
Main category
Page 2, II. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing the long-term issues. In this regard, we agree on the following principles.
C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances
We recognize that to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and equitable
development are essential. We further recognize that issue' of inequality, manifested along income, regional and gender lines, remain key challenges for Kenya.
Agenda 4 Implementation Framework
Poverty, inequality and regional imbalances
(a) Ensure equity and balance are attained in development across all regions including in job creation, poverty reduction, improved income distribution and gender equity.
(f) Develop and Affirmative Action Policy and enhance the Women's Enterprise Fund. (p. 6-7)
Women, girls and gender
- Participation
No specific mention.
- EqualityEquality→Social equalityPage 7, Agenda 4: Implementation Framework, Poverty, inequality and regional imbalances
(a) Ensure equity and balance are attained in development across all regions including in job creation, poverty reduction, improved income distribution and gender equity.
Page 2, II. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing the long-term issues. In this regard, we agree on the following principles.
...
C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances
We recognize that to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and equitable development are essential. We further recognize that issue' of inequality, manifested along income, regional and gender lines, remain key challenges for Kenya. - Particular groups of women
No specific mention.
- International law
No specific mention.
- New institutionsNew institutions→Institutions for womenPage 8, Agenda 4: Implementation Framework, Poverty, inequality and regional imbalances
...
(f) Develop and Affirmative Action Policy and enhance the Women's Enterprise Fund.New institutions→Reconciliation and peacePage 2, II. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing the long-term issues. In this regard, we agree on the following principles.
...
C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances
We recognize that to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and equitable development are essential. We further recognize that issue' of inequality, manifested along income, regional and gender lines, remain key challenges for Kenya. - Violence against women
No specific mention.
- Transitional justice
No specific mention.
- Institutional reform
No specific mention.
- DevelopmentDevelopment→GeneralPage 2, II. We reaffirm our commitment to addressing the long-term issues. In this regard, we agree on the following principles.
...
C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances
We recognize that to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and equitable development are essential. We further recognize that issue' of inequality, manifested along income, regional and gender lines, remain key challenges for Kenya. - Implementation
No specific mention.
- Other
No specific mention.
Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation
Mediated by lf.
E Kofi Annan, Chair of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities
Statement of Principles on Long-term issues and solutions
I. Preamble
Reaffinning that the final goal of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation is to achieve
sustainable peace, stability and justice in Kenya through the rule of law and respect for
human rights.
Recalling that, in the Annotated Agenda and Timetable for the National Dialogue and
Reconciliation signed on 1 February, we recognized that poverty, the inequitable
distribution of resources and perceptions of historical injustices and exclusion on the part
of segments of Kenyan society constituted the underlying causes of the prevailing social
tensions, instability and cycle of violence.
We also agreed that discussions under Agenda
Item Four would be conducted to examine and propose solutions for long-standing issues.
Further recalling that, in the 14 February Agreement on Agenda Item Three (How to
resolve the political crisis), we reaffirmed our commitment to address the issues within
Agenda Item Four expeditiously and comprehensively.
We also noted that milestones and
benchmarks for the implementation of the reform agenda would have to be· defined.
Recalling also that the Agreement on the Principles of Partnership of the Coalition
Government, signed by His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki and the Right Honorable
Prime Minister Ra1la Odinga on 28 February 2008, recognized that the crisis triggered by
the 2007 disputed presidential elections had brought to the surface deep-seated and longstanding
divisions within Kenyan society, which, if left unaddressed, threatened the very
existence of Kenya as a unified country.
The 28 February agreement provided the means
to implement a coherent and far-reaching reform agenda, address the fundamental root
causes of recurrent conflict, and create a better, more secure, more prosperous Kenya for
all.
Recognizing.
the need for an agreed framework for moving forward in addressing the
long term issues
II. We re-affirm our commitment to addressing the long-term issues.
In this
regard, we agree on the following principles.
A. Constitutional, institutional and legal reform
We reaffirm our commitment to complete the comprehensive constitutional review
process within twelve months in accordance with the roadmap agreed to on 4 March
2008.
We agree that the institutional reforms should include, inter alia, the following
components:
Police reform, parliamentary reform, judicial reform, executive reform and
civil service reform.
We commit to chart a way forward for these institutional reforms, which should take into
account studies and recommendations already made on each issue, and analyze why the
recommendations have not been implemented.
We commit to consult Kenyans at all
stages of the process.
B. Land reform
We recognize that the issue of land has been a source of economic, social, political and
environmental problems in Kenya for many years.
We agree that land reform is a
fundamental need in Kenya and that the issue must be addressed comprehensively and
with the seriousness it deserves.
Towards this end, we agree to fully support efforts to
establish the factors responsible for conflicts over land and to formulate and implement
actionable short, medium and long-term recommendations on the issue.
C. Poverty, inequity and regional imbalances
We recognize that to ensure sustainable peace in the country, poverty eradication and
equitable development are essential.
We further recognize that issue of inequality,
manifested along income, regional and gender lines, remain key challenges for Kenya.
· In harmonizing our manifestoes, we shall ensure poverty alleviation and equitable
development are top priorities for the Coalition Government.
We shall utilize the
National Accord implementation mechanisms and we commit ourselves to a consultative
process and identify short tenn, medium term and long-term strategies to fight poverty.
D. Unemployment, particularly among the youth
We agree that unemployment in Kenya, particularly among the youth, is a serious
concern that must urgently be addressed.
We acknowledge that the lack of effective
opportunities that integrate the majority of Kenya's youth into mainstream economic
activities contributed to the destructive role played by the youth during the post-election
violence.
Ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to be gainfully employed is not only
crucial for the nation's economic growth, prosperity and social stability, but is also vital
for enabling each individual to develop their full potential and to live in dignity.
We therefore commit ourselves to advocate for the development of a comprehensive
strategy on combating youth unemployment, and to explore all possible means of
supporting the creation of an appropriate policy environment for the expansion of
opportunities for youth in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
E. Consolidation of national cohesion and unity
We recognize that consolidating national cohesion and unity is a cross-cutting task that
will require the efforts of all Parties, all Ministries, civil society and all Kenyans.
Apart
from the creation of the National Ethnic and Race Relations Commission, we propose the
introduction of legislation to fight discrimination and ensure equal opportunities for all.
We agree that the relevant Ministries will work with the Office of the President and the
Office of the Prime Minister and other relevant bodies to oversee unity-building efforts
and initiatives.
They would also help coordinate joint peace and reconciliation initiatives
countrywide and liaise with local peace building efforts. ·
F. Transparency, accountability, impunity
We agree that transparency and accountability in the affairs of the Government, together
with the fight against impunity, are essential if the country is to make progress in
addressing all the challenges mentioned above.
Indeed, transparency, accountability and
the fight against impunity and corruption must underpin the entire reform agenda.
In
addressing these issues, it will be particularly important to ensure that the
recommendations of the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission .are implemented.
m. Implementation arrangements:
The Coalition Government shall lead the process of the implementation of the reform
agenda, working with Parliament whenever appropriate.
In addition, the Kenyan people,
who should be the beneficiaries of the agenda, must be regularly consulted and their
views sought.
The implementation process will only succeed if all Kenyans work together to build trust
in the leadership and institutions of governance.
For this reason, we are committed to
help ensure the wide and meaningful participation of all Kenyans in the process.
We shall, when necessary, seek international community expertise and support and
request the Panel to continue to provide, on a need basis, support in the implementation
of these and previous agreements, including assistance to the various Committees and
Commissions provided therein.
Accordingly, we adopt the implementation framework on long-term issues outlined in the
Annex to this Statement of Principles, as a working roadmap for the resolution of the six
foregoing issues, which were underlying causes of the post-election national crisis.
Government/PNU and ODM
On the Behalf of the Government/PNU, Hon Martha Karua, Hon Sam Ongeri, Hon.
Mutula Kilonzo, Hon.
Moses Wetang'ula
On the Behalf of ODM, Hon.
Musalia Mudavudi, Hon.
William Ruto, Hon.
Sally Kosgei, Hon.
James Orengo
Witnessed by:
For the Panel of Eminent African Personalities, H.E. Oluyemi Adeniji - Session Chair