MPs, envoys and civil society meet over reconciliation

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By Peter Opiyo

MPs, diplomats and the civil society converge at an international forum this morning to discuss reconciliation and institutional reforms.

Under the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU), the legislators will hear from international speakers on Parliament’s role in reconciliation.

President Kibaki will open the three-day conference at Nairobi’s Safari Park Hotel.

National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende said the meeting would "help members appreciate the need for practical action plans that would assist Parliament address the challenges Kenyans face".

Marende said the events in January gave the MPs an opportune moment to share personal experiences in promoting reconciliation.

A similar seminar was held in Sierra Leone between June 23 and 25, as part of a two-year project in which IPU carries out activities to strengthen political inclusiveness, institutional reforms and reconciliation.

Marende said the seminar would also shed light on the role of Parliament in promoting transparency and accountability at all levels of Government.

He said the forum would also discuss reforms necessary in governance institutions including Parliament, Electoral Commission of Kenya, the Police and the civil service.

The seminar is organised jointly by the National Assembly of Kenya and IPU.

It will be attended by scholars who have been invited to present papers on topics including coalition politics, national reconciliation, promoting gender partnership in Parliament, promoting transparency and accountability, institutional reforms and effective judicial system.

Other topics scheduled for discussion include the work of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission in healing past wounds and promoting social and economic equality, land reform, youth empowerment and regional imbalances.