NAIROBI, KENYA: Finally the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission handed in its report to the President after weeks of waiting and all manner of speculations.
The commission has fulfilled its mandate of digging up the truth on past injustices and making recommendations on how the country can resolve nagging issues of the past and forge ahead united and strong.
On the individuals implicated in wrongdoing, the report read like the who-is-who in the present and past governments. Some of those mentioned adversely have reacted sharply, saying they were never given an opportunity to defend themselves against “baseless accusations.” The report also serves to remind the nation of past atrocities, injustices and scams that most would have wished to forget.
Unlike in the past when nasty experiences the country experienced were swept under the carpet, the TJRC was commissioned to capture the truth so that the country could use that to not only dispense justice but also seek reconciliation. The onus is now on the President to follow through on the next steps so that the recommendations by the commission may be implemented to the letter.
Those the commission has recommended for prosecution should be given a fair trial so that Kenyans may know the truth. The TJRC commissioners have expressed their optimism that an implementation team would be in place within the three months that they have before disbanding.
From the setting up of legal structures to creating legislation to the State offering apologies to victims to reparations for victims of atrocities, there is a lot that needs to be done and TJRC has set out time lines that are realistic and achievable.
The ball is now squarely in the Government’s court and President Uhuru would do well to provide leadership on the way forward.
How his Government handles the implementation will be critical in determining whether our great country will finally move on, united and strong.
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