Danger lurks even after the signing of Kenya`s political accord
blurb:isstoday:08042008kenya
8 April 2008: Danger lurks even after the signing of Kenya’s political accord
As Kenyans wait with bated breath for the naming of a new coalition government, it is hoped that the principal players in the political arena will put the long-term interests of their country first. Never again should Kenya witness such harmful political and ethnic conflict, as was the case earlier this year. Lasting peace now depends on the way the government will be formed and managed.
The national accord agreed to by president Mwai Kibaki and prime minister designate Raila Odinga deflated the pressure and halted the momentum that almost plunged the country into civil war, following the disputed 2007 presidential elections. The agreement was legitimized through the constitutional amendment Act, 2008. The Act provides for the appointment of a prime minister and two deputy prime ministers to accommodate the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in a grand coalition government, to be formed on the basis of a 50-50 power sharing arrangement.
Since the act was assented to by president Kibaki almost a month ago, no meaningful steps towards the constitution of the coalition government appear in sight. Political and religious leaders, civil society and the general public have diverse ideas about the way out of the murk and mire of the prevailing political indecision. Kenya is not out of the woods yet and politically nothing significant seems to have changed. The disagreements between president Kibaki and prime minister designate Odinga regarding power sharing and portfolio balance could reverse the relatively temporal peace currently prevailing in the country. In this context the following should be kept in mind:
- Failure to name a widely accepted coalition government rekindles sad memories of the skirmishes that preceded and followed the 2007 presidential elections. A return to such unsettling levels of violence would bring unparalleled doom to national and regional political, economic and social stability. Procrastination will not help, particularly when the country is reeling under the effects of dilapidated infrastructure, increased poverty levels, the misery of internally displaced people, negative international publicity and a constitution with yawning gaps.
- A bloated government - as suggested by some of the political players - is a recipe for lethargy, duplication of responsibilities, increased costs, inefficiency, lack of accountability, slow decision-making and a lack of focus. The cabinet to be constituted should not only reflect portfolio balance but should also be chosen on merit. A lean and efficient government is what the country needs.
- There is also a need to urgently review the institutions and structures that brought the country to the brink of disaster. The constitution of Kenya lacks critical anchors to entrench a strong democratic culture. Overhaul of institutions will set the pace for transforming the country in a sustainable way.
- Corruption thrives when some government ministries and departments lack substantive policy and decision-making personnel. Half of the positions in the current government ministries are vacant. This is a luxury the country can ill afford.
- The country is where it is because of long-term political, social and economic disparities. As most Kenyans now appear to focus more on the power-sharing deal, there is danger of sidelining important issues like the land policy problem, ethnic divisions and inequitable economic development. There is need to focus more on these fundamental issues, which now appear under the surface, by involving all sides of the political spectrum and all stakeholders in developing sustainable policy reforms.
- There is no guarantee that the expected coalition government will continue for a full five-year term. Consensus-building, major sacrifices from all sides of the political divide and trust, built on the implementation of reforms envisaged in the national accord, may be the thread to hold the coalition government together.
Kenyans are the most affected by the continued unpredictability of what the future holds, politically, economically and socially. Meanwhile the sub-regions of the greater Eastern Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes Region are also waiting anxiously for a successful grand coalition and solid government in Kenya. It is a known fact in Africa: when one country sneezes the neighbours are likely to catch cold. Political leaders in Kenya must realize that they not only owe peace and development to their fellow citizens but also to the sub-regions. Further delay in constituting the much-awaited cabinet is most likely to harm the country and the neighbouring states.
Philip Sabwa, Senior Training Coordinator - Mifugo Programme, ISS Nairobi Office
