Concern over security, slow pace of police reforms

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

The Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR)’s  14th review on electoral preparedness has cautioned insecurity remains a key concern in the run-up to the March 4 General Election.

“Northern Kenya and the Coast regions have witnessed unprecedented violence. Illegal gangs are also re-emerging and they could be readily available to be mobilised in electoral contests,” states the report.

The report further says effective early warning mechanisms on election-related violence are not yet in place and early response even less so.

“Amid all this, security sector reforms have all but lost traction and an Inspector-General of Police is yet to be appointed even though the deadline for doing so expired in August,” reads the report in part.

The findings are out of a report prepared by South Consulting – the research firm designated by the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan to undertake independent monitoring and evaluation of the implementation for KNDR.

According to the report, Reconciliation between communities that experienced the post-election violence in 2007/2008   is fragile.

“A majority of those interviewed (79 per cent) think communities have reconciled ‘just a little’ or ‘not at all’. This finding has been consistent over time. Healing has been slow. Healing in some areas has also been a subject of dynamics in national level politics. The lack of inter-group cohesion in different parts of the country shows that there are many issues over which Kenyans need reconciliation, not just the post-election violence,” added the report.

It reveals the number of those who fear there might be violence during the next General Election has continued to rise over the past one year and high cost of living entrenches the feeling that the country is heading in the wrong direction as the elections approach.

The report recommends that the remaining election-related laws need to be passed if the country is to improve its pre-election environment.

More importantly, it states there is need to implement already existing laws effectively and change the perception of “business as usual” when it comes to obeying electoral laws.

“There are some gaps in the legal framework that will likely affect the quality of the next General Election. For instance, the next Parliament risks legal challenges if its composition does not achieve the required gender quotas for the National Assembly and the Senate,” noted the report.

Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa while presiding over the Constitutional Implementation Commission on Tuesday, pointed out there should be urgency in finding a formula to the gender provision under the new Constitution.

Gender issues aside, the report indicates there is some confusion regarding the courts that have jurisdiction to hear disputes arising from the first round of the presidential election.

The report states appointment of an Inspector-General of Police and the acceleration of much-needed police reforms will go a long way in assuring citizens of adequate security at election time.

Those angling to assume the position of Inspector General of Police have already been short-listed and will soon go through the interviews.

The Dialogue team will hold its next meeting on or before January 8, the last one before the March 4 General Election.