Ensure the new law is fully implemented, UN body tells Kenya

By Evelyn Kwamboka

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) has called on the civil society to push for the implementation of the new constitution.

UNECA Director of Governance and Public Administration Division, Dr Abdalla Hamdok said there is need for the civil society and the public to guard the huge achievement by ensuring it is implemented as required.

“Kenyans showed the whole African region that they could do an impressive job by passing the constitution. The forces that passed that document should continue to put pressure for it to be implemented,” he said.
He said the new constitution promulgated on August 27, was the best in the African region, since it caters for all.

“We are good in passing fantastic documents but fall short in implementing them. Democracy is never perfect. It is a non-linear process,” he said.
credible and peaceful elections
Speaking to journalists at the National Research Institutions meeting in Addis

UNECA Director of Governance and Public Administration Division, Dr Abdalla Hamdok

Ababa , Ethiopia on Wednesday, Dr Hamdok said Africa is still faced with the challenge of holding

credible and peaceful elections.

The UNECA’s African Governance Report 111 coordinator, Prof Said Adejumobi, said the county has taken major steps in addressing election problems.
He also urged the civil society and the public to push for the implementation of the new constitution, instead of leaving it to few people.
“The civil society and Kenyans should be on the alert because the price of liberty is to keep vigil,” he said.

The two days meeting brought together African governance experts from 25 independent research institutions to discuss the preparation of the third edition of the African Governance Report and related national reports on the theme:” Elections and the Management of Diversity in Africa.”
Kenya is one of the 45 countries in Africa expected to submit its report to the UN office, within the next three months.
“What we want at the end of this process are clear policy recommendations on how Africa’s brand of electoral products can respect its diversity, promote inclusiveness, guarantee the freeness, fairness and transparency of the electoral process, while linking up with the socio-economic development of the continent,” Prof Adejumobi said.
He said the AGR 111 report will squarely address issues on how to promote inclusion, non-discrimination and conducting violence-free elections in Africa .