BY STEVE MKAWALE
Parliament has approved the extension of the term of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) for a period of three months.
Members said it was important for the commission to be given time to finalise its work so that Kenyans can know the truth about past injustices and those seeking reparation will have their chance.
Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa earlier tabled a progressive report that detailed the volume of work TJRC had covered since inception and said it must be allowed to complete the report.
He told MPs that the reasons for seeking the extension of term were valid because the commission has covered a lot in terms of collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and holding sitting in all the 47 counties.
Kagundo MP Johnston Muthama and his Kilgoris counterpart Gideon Konchella supported the Motion, saying that the commission’s work was important to the country for the sake of peace.
Yearning for justice
Mr Muthama said the numbers of Kenyans holding demonstrations outside Parliament was clear indication that people are yearning for justice.
Medical Service minister Anyang’ Nyong’o said he lost his brother during the struggle for the first liberation in Kanu era and demanded justice.
“We must allow this commission to complete its work and table its report before this house so that the truth is known,” he said.
It was however not without opposition as some MPs felt the commission had wasted time.
Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale and his Garsen counterpart Danson Mungatana who opposed the Motion, said the commission had wasted a lot of time wrangling during its inception and did not deserve an extension.
“The credibility of the report is already in doubt following the wrangles that engulfed TJRC. We gave them an extension of six months which they failed to utilise properly,” Mr Mungatana said adding that the commission was squandering taxpayer’s money with the extension.
“When the Government formed the commission it knew very well why it was allocated two years,” he said.
