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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000045 
 
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TAGS: PGOV KDEM KE
SUBJECT: ANNAN IN KENYA REFORM PROCESS 
 
¶1. As promised, Kofi Annan has remained intensively engaged in the 
carrying out of Kenya's reform agenda.  On Sunday, January 4, Annan 
published a full page Op-Ed in all major Kenya papers in which he 
praised Kenya for progress made, but urged the Government of Kenya 
to quicken the pace of reforms "because the window of opportunity 
for serious reform will start to close sooner than we might wish." 
 
¶2.  Begin Text: 
 
OP-ED BY H.E. KOFI A. ANNAN 
 
Just over a year ago, Kenya entered an unprecedented spiral of 
violence and ethnic animosity.  Today, having overcome its most 
serious national crisis since independence, Kenyans are starting a 
new year in peace and tranquility, with renewed optimism for a 
brighter future. 
 
The contrast between the dark days of early 2008 and the ray of hope 
evident as 2009 begins is as stark as it is impressive. 
 
It is also a testament to the peace-loving nature of the Kenyan 
people, the courage of the political leaders, and the persistence of 
civil society and other key stakeholders in organising themselves 
into a formidable force for peace. 
 
2008 was an extraordinary year for Kenya.  Not only did the country 
pull itself back from te brink of self-destruction, but its 
battered economy managed a modest recovery by year's end; its new 
Coalition Government launched Vision 2030 as a framework for the 
country's long-term and equitable development; and its athletes 
returned from Beijing with the most Olympic medals in Kenya's 
history.  And the election to the US Presidency of a man with Kenyan 
roots became a source of pride for many Africans, and an inspiring 
reminder of our common humanity in an increasingly globalized 
world. 
 
But it is too early for Kenyans to celebrate victory from adversity. 
 There is still much to be done to ensure the country's long-term 
stability, and to improve the well-being of all its people.  As we 
usher in 2009, let us reflect on what has been accomplished and what 
remains to be tackled to ensure that the crisis experienced last 
year will never reoccur. 
 
First, what has been accomplished in 2008 to resolve the crisis.  In 
February, Kenya's political adversaries, aided by the African Union 
and its international partners, negotiated a historic power-sharing 
settlement to peacefully resolve the dispute over the results of the 
2007 presidential elections.  Under the framework of the Kenya 
National Dialogue and Reconciliation, the Kenyan parties also 
concluded a series of agreements aimed at ending the violence, 
restoring fundamental rights and liberties, addressing the 
humanitarian crisis, promoting reconciliation and healing, resolving 
the political crisis, and tackling long-term issues affecting the 
nation. 
 
On 17 April, the Coalition Government was formed.  Its primary 
purpose: to address the root causes of the recurrent conflict in 
Kenya through the implementation of a coherent and far-reaching 
reform agenda.  Since then -- and in spite of occasional open 
displays of disagreement among some Cabinet members -- the coalition 
has not fallen apart, as some skeptics had predicted.  And as 
Cabinet worked to improve service delivery to the Kenyan people, a 
collaborative spirit showed signs of strengthening, particularly 
between President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who 
are ably steering the Coalition Government in the spirit of 
partnership envisioned in the National Accord. 
 
Some progress has been achieved on the reform agenda, too. Two 
independent commissions, whose establishment was agreed upon during 
the mediation process, successfully completed their mandates and 
submitted their final reports to the Coalition Government and the AU 
Panel of Eminent African Personalities.  First was the Independent 
Review Commission on the 2007 Elections (IREC), followed by the 
Commission of Inquiry into the Post-Election Violence (CIPEV). 
 
Parliament has already passed several pieces of legislation to 
enable implementation of the National Dialogue agreements.  That 
includes the Constitution of Kenya Review Act, which provides a 
roadmap for the preparation of a new Constitution within 12 months, 
followed by a referendum; the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Act, 
which will establish a two-year Commission to promote peace, 
justice, national unity, healing and reconciliation among the people 
of Kenya; and the Constitution of Kenya Amendment Act, passed on 16 
December, which will enable implementation of the crucial electoral 
reforms recommended by IREC. 
 
Meanwhile, the agreement recently signed by President Kibaki and 
Prime Minister Odinga for the implementation of the CIPEV 
recommendations is an important affirmation of the Coalition 
Government's intention to end impunity and reform the police 
service. 
 
NAIROBI 00000045  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
So what more could be done? 
 
In my view, while the progress has been remarkable, the pace of the 
reforms should move faster.  That is because the window of 
opportunity for serious reform will start to close sooner than we 
might wish.  I am already concerned that a premature focus on the 
2012 elections could distract the country from the more pressing 
priorities - pursuing the IREC and CIPEV reforms and tackling the 
other long-term issues identified in Agenda Item Four of the 
National Dialogue. 
 
I appreciate why some have dubbed Agenda Item Four the "mwananchi 
agenda", as it deals with those deep-seated problems that most 
directly affect the lives and livelihoods of most Kenyans - whether 
it's poverty and inequity, youth unemployment, land grievances, 
ethnic discord, stalled judicial and other institutional reforms, or 
lack of action to counter corruption. 
 
Kenyans are demanding more effective - and more expeditious - action 
on the "mwananchi agenda."  They are eager to reap some benefit from 
the National Dialogue agreements.  And their growing impatience is 
exacerbated by the rising cost of living and a perception that their 
elected Representatives - the "ruling elite" - are paying 
insufficient attention to their daily plight.  Moving quickly to 
fully implement the tasks agreed in the National Dialogue talks 
would go a long way towards changing that perception. 
 
And unless the entire reform agenda is effectively pursued, Kenya 
will remain vulnerable and liable to repeat the horrific violence 
witnessed last year.  That is why the country's political leaders 
have the onerous responsibility of ensuring that Agenda Item Four 
reforms, as well as the recommendations of IREC and CIPEV, are fully 
implemented. Kenyans want to see their political leaders work hard 
and take decisions that result in fair and equitable policies that 
benefit everyone.  Transparent and accountable governance is 
essential if the reforms are to endure. 
 
Come 2012, voters will reward the parties and leaders who take the 
reform agenda seriously and work effectively for its implementation. 
 Until then, it is essential that the people of Kenya -- civil 
society, the private sector, religious leaders, the media and other 
stakeholders -- remain engaged and work with the politicians to 
advance the reforms. 
 
I have the firm impression that sufficient political will now exists 
among the coalition partners -- and sufficient unity of purpose 
exists among the public at large -- to provide Kenya with a historic 
opportunity for peaceful transformation. 
 
This is a time of immense challenges for Kenya.  Yet it is also a 
time of great hope.  By coming together as one people, in pursuit of 
shared objectives, I am confident that Kenyans will overcome the 
difficulties of the past, restore confidence in Kenya as a unified 
nation, and serve as a source of inspiration for people far beyond 
the country's borders. 
 
The author is Chair of the African Union Panel of Eminent African 
Personalities and former Secretary-General of the United Nations 
 
2 January 2009 
 
End Text. 
RANNEBERGER