SPECIAL REPORT The NEW ACT SET TO BAR CRIMINAL FROM HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE — Pages 14 & 19 SUPPLEMENT Enhancing governance for all THE PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE Link PROJECT FUNDED BY THE EU MAY 2012 Issue No. 091 Kshs 40/= — Pages 15 - 18 Election violence triggers revealed It is now upto the state to act swiftly on the content of this report to save the country from violence By FAITH MUIRURI Education Consortium (CRECO) on conflict mapping and profiles of 47 counties in Kenya, points out that 80 percent of the counties rank within the moderate to VEN as efforts to reconcile commu- high risk of conflict areas. nities in conflict prone areas gain Counties more prone to violence include Marsabit, momentum across the country, a Isiolo, Mandera Wajir, Narok, Garissa, Tana River, E Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi, Nairobi, Trans Nzoia, Mig- new report has identified possible triggers ori, Nyamira, Bomet, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, Turkana, to ethnic violence ahead of the elections. West Pokot, Laikipia, Nakuru, Kisumu, Bungoma and The report cites the delineation of constituency Kirinyaga. boundaries among factors likely to trigger flare-ups According to the report, cases of ethnic intolerance, and erode gains made in restoring peace in hot spot border conflicts, political party zoning, competition areas. over land and other resources, proliferation of small The criminal cases against the four Kenyans at the arms, weak security and poverty still rank high among International Criminal Court (ICC) also feature promi- factors that divide communities in clash prone areas. nently among factors likely to heighten tension ahead The report underscores the need to monitor areas of the elections. worst hit by Post Election Violence during the pre- “This should provide more justification for moni- election period, largely due to the unsettled or unre- toring the situation, especially with respect to possible solved deep seated grievances. treatment of communities perceived as victims of post The lobby group calls on the government through election violence,” adds the report The baseline report by the Constitution and Reform 8 Turn to Page 2, Col. 1 Mr. Ahmed Isaack Hassan, IEBC Chairman. UNDP releases funds for civic education ahead of general elections By JOSEPH MUKUBWA defend the rights of marginalized and weak groups, to discuss, interrogate and develop non violent exchange of ideas that will UNITED Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will fund aid the development of Kenya,” he added. community groups to the tune of Kshs 100 million to help jump- The director added, “As ambassadors, we do not expect start the civic education progamme ahead of the general elections. you to take sides when delivering civic education. The UNDP The UNDP Deputy Country director, Programmes Alfredo and other development partners supporting Amkeni Wakenya Teixeira said recently that the grant will help support the 50 or- has developed several principles to guide you in your engage- ganizations in civic education exercise for six months. ment with voters,” He said that Kenyans must choose to make Out of the funds, Central region will get Kshs 20 million with their country better and they must take responsibility for the 12 groups benefiting. realization of peaceful elections. Speaking during the official opening of a four day training of Regional PC Ng’etich said the Government is ready to sup- trainers workshop for civic educators at Green Hills hotel in Ny- port the groups during the civic education and also help in mo- eri, the director urged the organizations to ensure that the message bilizing residents in attending the meetings. of peace, of solidarity among Kenyans, of people based develop- “It is our utmost hope and belief that the residents of this ment and of non partisan interrogation of the issues is taken to the region will make informed choices at the general elections and UNDP Deputy Country Director Alfredo Texeira (left) shares communities. Texeira who was accompanied by Upper Central they will also get useful civic skills and knowledge that will a cup of tea with Upper Central Regional Commissioner Ann Regional Commissioner Ann Ng’etich said that the groups should enable them fully embrace the nation,” she added. Ng’etich during the opening of a four day training of trainer’s deliver non partisan and non ethicized civic education. The theme for Amkeni Wakenya’s civic education pro- workshop for civic educators at Green Hills Hotel in Nyeri “You must assist the people and communities to understand gramme for the forthcoming general election will be: Free, Fair recently. Photo/Joseph Mukubwa the constitution and how it can be used to protect human rights, to peaceful elections: My responsibility. Education remains elusive African leaders meet to EU, Danida release huge for pastoral communities pursue own STI agenda funds for environment —Pg. 6 —Pg. 12 —Pg. 22 Women trust fund kitty Food security initiative Police cautioned against remains under utilized Other inside stories taps varsity talent —Pg. 8 torturing suspects —Pg. 20 —Back Page The Link, May 2012 2 GOVERNANCE Election violence triggers revealed From page 1 amicably. They must also start banishing the Independent Electoral and impunity at local levels, especially Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and at County levels. All communities the National Cohesion and Integra- belong to all counties as no county tion Commission (NCIC) to support was established exclusively for any warring groups to develop dispute particular community. Kenyans resolution mechanisms ahead of the must learn to accommodate minori- elections. ties within counties where they are The lobby group further chal- the majority. lenges the Parliamentary Budget The report ranks Counties in Committee and the Commission terms of the threat of conflict as on Revenue Allocation to ensure shown in the table herein. both the National and the County It is now up to the state agencies budgets are aligned to address past to move with speed to put structures and present cases of exclusion and and measures in place to ensure that marginalization as outlined in the the threat of conflict in the counties Constitution. is closely monitored and diffused if Other recommendations include we are to avoid a repeat of the events putting in place necessary infra- of 2007/8 pre and post-election vio- structure to closely monitor the lence. counties prone to election related High Conflict Risks Moderate Conflict Risks Low Conflict Risks conflicts. Marsabit Kitui Embu The report also calls for the Isiolo Makueni Machakos establishment of a national peace Mandera Nyeri Vihiga platform similar to the one that ex- Wajir Taita Taveta Siaya isted prior to the 2010 referendum Narok Homabay under the banner of Uwiano (cohe- CRECO and ELOG members at the launch of report on areas prone to election violence. Photo/Henry Owino Garissa Tharaka Nithi sion). Tana River Busia “The platform should promote existing District Peace Commit- The report recommends that Mombasa Elgeyo Marakwet advocacy efforts by the CSOs to tees and advocate for the transi- communities need to acknowledge Kwale Samburu sensitize the public on national is- tion of these structures into County that the country does not belong Kilifi Meru sues that have implications on con- peace committees with a clear and to any particular ethnic group or a Nairobi Kisii flict factors at the local level,” ex- strengthened statutory mandate of combination of any. Trans Nzoia Kajiado plains. coordinating peace matters. “After having bequeathed our- Nyamira Murang’a Further, the CSOs should moni- The report further proposes that selves and our future generations a Migori Lamu tor compliance to the international, CSOs safeguard the rights of wom- new constitution, it is very impor- Bomet Kericho regional and local human rights and en, children, youth, elderly and oth- tant that all communities respect all Kiambu Nandi governance standards. er marginalised groups by ensuring human rights for all persons, respect Uasin Gishu Nyandarua The report at the same time calls representation and participation of the values of the constitution, pro- for concerted efforts to ensure that these groups in the upcoming elec- mote principles of governance and Turkana Baringo all political and democratic rights tions. also defend and protect it,” affirms West Pokot Kakamega and governance processes during CSOs must also ensure that the report. Laikipia the upcoming elections are respect- IEBC, the police force, judiciary and Kenyans must also condemn Nakuru ed, protected and promoted. other institutions within the criminal violence and put to task politicians Kisumu It lays emphasis on the need for justice system are adequately fund- who preach violence and learn to Bungoma CSOs to participate effectively in ed to deliver their mandate. solve political and social differences Kirinyaga Mutunga backs Machakos Law Courts plan By PETER MUTUKU it is within the transformation pro- justice in our country. A gramme of the Judiciary espoused in beacon of fairness, effi- THE office of the Chief Justice the constitution. We have no option ciency and effectiveness Dr.Willy Mutunga has pledged to ful- no choice but to support it and fund in public service and value ly support the transformation project it. My office will ensure support the of transformation we want initiated by the Machakos Law transformation of Machakos station to see in our country.” Ma- Courts dubbed Maanzoni declaration and all stations in the country.” she khandia stated in a bid to enhance service delivery to assured Some of the major ac- court users. Machakos Law Courts resident tion plans include embrac- The Chief Registrar Ms. Gladys judge Justice MSA Makhandia said a ing a customer friendly Shollei stated that the transformation nonperformance and a weak judicial atmosphere whereby a plan rolled out by the Machakos sta- system has had devastating effects in customer care desk has tion was in line with the mandate of the country and cited 2007/08 post been set up to help assist the office of the Chief Justice which is elections violence.