By David Ochami
Kenya has been hailed for progress in governance and socio-economic transformation as it prepares for the second peer review of its performance by a panel of eminent African persons next year.
The country was last audited in 2006 under the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) but a review of progress on set benchmarks after the 2007/2008 post-election crisis was postponed several times.
Kenya would be the first country to undergo a second review by the APRM, a voluntary audit established by the African Union in 2003 to promote good governance and the rule of law in the continent.
Social development
The promulgation of the new constitution, besides recent progress regarding human rights and social development has raised Kenya’s stature, according to panelist Amos Sawyer, Liberia’s former president.
Mr Sawyer said: "Kenya has made great progress in a short while. The laws you are putting in place are designed to address challenges detected in the 2006 audit."
On Monday Sawyer met members of the National Governing Council of the APRM in Nairobi led by chairman Abdillahi Abdi. Council members including Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Paul Melly, the Kenya Human Rights Commission Executive Director Muthoni Wanyeki, Nepad/APRM Secretariat CEO Grace Ongile, and Prof Edward Oyugi were also present.
Nepad-Kenya Country Director Afeikhena Jerome accompanied Sawyer.
The Liberian urged political parties to seek consensus in the implementation the Constitution to achieve the goals and reforms envisioned under the National Accord.
Nation’s rebirth
"Moreover, the Constitution, sparks hope of the nation’s rebirth," Sawyer said, adding the "onus is now on its implementation."
He said disputes and contestations in the process of implementing the law were normal in any democracy, but appealed to Kenyans to ensure the process remains on track.
Dr Abdi said Kenya has surmounted most of the shortcomings detected in the 2006 review and said the country was ready for the second review in the next four months.
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In March 2003, Nepad Heads of State and Government adopted a memorandum of understanding on the APRM.
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