Kenya background
The most significant structural sources of conflict in the region relate to high rates of poverty and unemployment, twinned with sharp levels of income inequality, manipulation of collective identities and a “winner-takes-all” approach to competition for control over the state. This in turn contributes to a weak political culture of dialogue and negotiation at the governmental level, abuse of power by central governments, communal struggles over valuable real estate and other scarce natural resources, external sponsorship of armed insurgencies, and tensions between a political “centre” in and around the capital and the largely exploited and/or marginalized peripheries of these states.
While Kenya is one of the most stable countries in the region, several of the causes identified above were found to be sources of the election violence in Kenya of 2007-2008. Continued work to restore long-term and sustainable peace reaching down to the roots of conflict in Kenya is of profound relevance to the whole region. While the election of 2007-2008 functioned as a trigger for violence, the underlying issues were related to resource accessibility such as land and property. If sustainable peace is to be maintained in the coming years, the root causes of conflict and the sources of inequality and discontent have to be dealt with.
Kenya's current context
Kenya experienced unprecedented political violence after the 2007 post election. A mediation team led to a creation of Government of National Unity which resolved to deal with short term, midterm and long term issues that led to the conflict. Much progress has been registered in the long term issues particularly focusing on constitutional, legal and institutional reform as was stipulated in the Kenya National Healing and Reconciliation agreement. Other issues include poverty, inequality, corruption, transparency and accountability, and, promoting national cohesion and unity.
Several initiatives have been taken to established to institute the much needed political reforms ahead of 2012 general elections. National commissions have been up that identified challenges and issues to address historical injustices. Some of the recommendations made have already been implemented and some are in the process. Among them are the adoption of a new constitution that was promulgated in August 2010. The new law paved way for reforms in the judiciary, reducing powers of the excessive powers of the Executive and empowering of the Parliament. Additionally, a Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, a National Integration and Cohesion Commission and Kenya Anti Corruption Commission were established. The three institutions aim to promote healing and reconciliation, curb hate speech and promote national cohesion and deal with endemic corruption respectively.
A transparent system of civil service recruitment has been established to end political patronage that had dogged the public service institutions. International legal proceedings have been instituted on individuals believed to have either organized or financed the political violence in effort to end an culture of impunity.
Although relative calmness has been established, efforts towards stable peace continue in earnest in the midst of all the political reforms.
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