Kenya: Let us confront a bitter past for a better future

The 2007/8 post-election violence (PEV) remains one of the biggest blots on Kenya’s history. The near-collapse of the nation shocked Kenyans and the world.

It jolted our economic, social and political fabric to the core. That is why we laud President Uhuru Kenyatta’s directive to the Treasury to create a Sh10 billion fund to compensate PEV victims and other individuals who have suffered historical injustices meted out by past regimes. This would go a long way in healing wounds that have festered since independence.

There are numerous victims of torture, assassinations, detentions without trial, abuse of human rights and PEV, who are greatly aggrieved. Indeed, majority of victims do not feel part of Kenya. As the President rightly noted, these unfortunate incidents have divided Kenyans and held them hostage to this tragic history.

It takes courage to confront a bitter past, but it pays off as a country faces the future. This happens when lessons are learned and deliberate efforts made to avoid mistakes of the past. By formerly apologising for atrocities committed by past governments, the President has set the country on the road to healing. He must, therefore, walk the talk by ensuring that the genuine victims are adequately compensated.

And coming at a time when corruption in Government has reached astonishing levels, the Sh10 billion fund must be managed transparently.

Those put in charge of such an important entity, must be men and women of high integrity. They must also be highly patriotic and committed to a united and fair nation. It would be a tragedy to have another scandal linked to the Sh10 billion fund.