Key Issues for discussion at the APR Forum for Kenya
Introduction
Alongside nine other countries, Kenya voluntarily acceded to the APRM in March 2003 in Abuja, Nigeria. Thereafter, the country constituted an Inter-Ministerial Task Force led by the Ministry of Planning and National Development, the ministry responsible for NEPAD projects and the Focal Point for the APRM Process in Kenya to map out a strategy for the implementation of the APRM.
In consultation with members of the incoming Governing Council, the APRM Task Force selected four reputable Nairobi-based local Technical Research Institutions (TRIs) to lead the review process. Kenya submitted its self-assessment report and a draft national programme of action in August 2005.
An 18-member Country Review Team (CRT) visited Kenya from 3-14 October 2005 to conduct the country review mission. The mission interacted with a diverse range of stakeholders and notes the visible commitment of Kenya’s citizenry and leadership to the institutionalisation of democracy in the country.
In the main, the self-assessment exercise is credible. The TRIs chosen to undertake the exercise are competent research institutions and the four-stage methodology comprising desk research; national sample surveys; focal group discussions targeting special groups; and expert panel opinion, is apt and highly recommended to other countries. Detailed results of the findings were presented in a clear and objective manner.
The Panel notes with admiration the high quality of the country self-assessment report, which is forthright and candid on Kenya’s governance situation.
Highlights of Strengths and Challenges
The key highlights of strengths and challenges in governance and socio-economic development in Kenya are:
Strengths
- A well-developed human resource base that is well engaged in development activities, highly motivated and outspoken on public affairs;
- A vibrant and diverse civil society including religious bodies, NGOs and media;
- Numerous credible and well-renowned institutions including the University of Nairobi, Business and Research associations and the Nairobi Stock Exchange;
- A political environment that allows for open political debate;
- A resilient economy that is less dependent on donors than in many other African countries;
- An established decentralised funding mechanism for local development;
- Hospitality towards refugees and migrants that has manifested itself for many decades;
A relatively stable country;
- The vibrancy of the media, both print and electronic;
- A vibrant agricultural export sector, especially for horticulture; and the
- Adoption and ratification of numerous codes of corporate governance and socio-economic development.
Challenges
- An inability to address the colonial legacy, and the need to set a political agenda for real and strong national unity;
- Historical imbalances in the channelling of resources and development programmes to certain regions in Kenya, which has perpetuated regional and ethnic inequalities;
- The delay in promulgating a new constitution in spite of the Boma draft being the product of the most extensive constitutional consultations in Africa’s history;
- The absence of broad-based and inclusive political parties, cutting across the racial and ethnic divides and anchored on a truly national agenda;
- The lack of confidence and trust in public institutions coupled with pervasive corruption despite the substantive legal and institutional frameworks instituted to curtail it;
- The high incidence of poverty and pervasive unemployment, especially for youth;
The under-representation of women in key positions of leadership at all tiers of government and the private sector;
- The lack of efficient public sector service delivery and enforcement mechanisms as well as the weak implementation of policies and programmes;
- The ineffectiveness of the Parliamentary Oversight Committees;
- The limited access to finance for small business; and the
- Low probability of meeting MDG goals with the exception of universal primary education and fall in HIV/AIDS rates.
Key Issues
The Key issues for review are as follows:
- Managing diversity in nation building;
- Constitutional reform and consensus building;
- Political parties and national agenda;
- Corruption;
- Implementation gaps;
- Effectiveness of Parliament (low productivity and narrow party/national interest);
- Lack of confidence and thrust in public institutions;
- Land ownership and reform;
- Under-representation of women:
- Enhancing the investigative capacity of the Judiciary; and
- Transformative leadership.
Some Best Practices
- Kenya’s role in pacifying her neighbours and resolving various conflicts;
- Political and civil rights are exercised with a considerable degree of freedom;
- Production and exports of horticultural products;
- Domestic resource mobilization;
- The recent initial public offer of KenGen, the state power company;
- Promotion of decentralization with the devolution of several funds to local authorities;
- A very commendable free and universal primary education policy; and
- Reduction of the prevalence rate of HIV/AIDS from 13 percent to 7 percent between 1999 and 2004.
Kenya’s Response to the Country Review Report
Kenya organized a high profile Cabinet retreat and has responded elaborately to the Country Review Report which is highly commendable. The country has welcomed most of the recommendations of the Panel.
The Country has also prepared a detailed Programme of Action (POA) which includes time bound commitments on key governance and socio-economic challenges over the next three years. In fact, the country response indicates that Kenya has started to implement the POA. It is heartening to note that most of the funding will be generated within the country. In this regard, there is need for broad-based involvement of all stakeholders in the implementation of the POA with a view to engendering greater ownership and participation. |
