Kenya Law Reform Commission (the Commission) is proud of its long association with Nairobi International Trade Fair (the Fair). This year's Fair gives us an opportunity to engage and inform our stakeholders on what the Commission has been doing since the last Fair. The Fair will be held on 1st to 7th October 2012 at Jamuhuri grounds.
Following the 2007/8 post election violence in Kenya, the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Agreement was signed in Nairobi on 1 February, 2008 by the Government; Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) delegations, and witnessed by H.E. Kofi A. Annan for the Panel of Eminent African Personalities. This Agreement formed the basis of the National Accord that H.E. President Mwai Kibaki and the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga signed on 28 February, 2008 when the dialogue was officially launched.
The dialogue sought to provide a peaceful solution to the political impasse and violence that had engulfed the country, following the December 2007 general elections. The following were the main agendas of the dialogue:
- Agenda No. 1: Immediate action to stop violence and restore fundamental rights and liberties.
- Agenda No. 2: Immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis, promote reconciliation, healing and restoration.
- Agenda No. 3: How to overcome the current political crisis.
- Agenda No. 4: Long term measures and solutions (such as constitutional, institutional and legal reforms; land reform; poverty and inequity; unemployment, particularly among the youth; consolidating national cohesion and unity; and transparency, accountability and addressing impunity).
The Commission has played a central role in the realization of the above agenda items. In particular, the Commission has participated in the development of the following laws and institutional framework towards realization of national cohesion and integration:
(a) The National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008;
(b) The National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008;
(c) The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Act, 2008;
(d) Setting up of the "Agenda Four" Commissions namely:
i. The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation 2008;
ii. The Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review, 2009;
iii. The Interim Independent Electoral Commission, 2009;
iv. The Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission, 2009;
The Commission also participated in the drafting of the Constitution and has since then participated in the drafting of the Bills to implement it as required by the section 6 of the Sixth Schedule.
The Constitution has placed great expectations on the Commission to spearhead the generation of relevant bills required to operationalise it. The Commission has tirelessly worked to meet the set deadlines and in most cases it has surpassed them.
The Commission believes, with the support of Kenyans and key stakeholders of this Constitution we can successfully implement it for the benefit of present generation and posterity.
We welcome you to make a date with us at the Fair. The stand is along Moi Drive NSSF Gate under the Ministry of Justice National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs. Come and learn more about your Commission and how you can help implement the Constitution.