EU supports reforms

The European Union has said that it will collaborate with other international partners to push for reforms in Kenya.

Without stating the specific actions it will take the EU has expressed concerns that the “Government of Kenya has been unable to establish a credible, independent, constitutionally protected local special tribunal to end the impunity of perpetrators of the post-election violence within the agreed timeframe.”

Following the lapse of the deadline of establishing a local tribunal, the Union has now challenged the government to fully and effectively continue to cooperate with the International Criminal Court.

“The European Union calls upon Kenya to urgently adopt measures to end impunity and fight corruption,” their statement said in part.

The ICC and Kenya had agreed on September 30 as deadline for the establishment of a tribunal. Chief Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has said he will be stepping in but called for the formation of the tribunal and the use of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission to supplement his work as he would be dealing with key suspects.

The Diplomats are persistent that Kenya must engage and recommit to a complete implementation of the reforms, as set out under the National Accord and Reconciliation Act.

Under the National Accord the government committed to carry out far reaching reforms in the Judiciary, Police, Attorney General’s Office. Others are Land and electoral reforms and the elimination of corruption. The coalion government also committed to deal with the perpetrators of political violnence and eliminate commpletely teh culture of impunity.

However the pace of the said reforms has been a bone of contention with development partners, civil society disappointed that the government’s commitment has waned with time.

The American government has regulary piled pressure on the government to accelerate the pace of reforms. Last week the US dispatched warning letters to 15 Kenyans who it claimed were frustrating the reform agenda.

“The European Union reiterates its willingness to support the reform process which it considers of critical importance for reconciliation, nation-building, development and prevention of further conflict in Kenya,” ended their statement.