Training of Kenya's statement takers commences

Written By:Rose Kamau , Posted: Tue, Aug 24, 2010

Caption: Commission chairman Bethuel Kiplagat said even with a new constitution the country still needs to deal with its past

The Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission on Tuesday rolled out a nationwide training of statement takers.

The first group of 160 statement takers are being trained simultaneously in Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru and Kakamega.

The statement takers will be trained in transitional justice and human rights issues, the mandate of the TJRC, gender and statement taking as well as trauma management.

Addressing the Nyeri trainees commission chairman Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat said while Kenya was moving into a new era with the promulgation of a new constitution, the country still needed to deal with its past.

"As we cross the constitutional bridge to a new Kenya, we need to address the many conflicts of the past that have caused disharmony among Kenyans," Kiplagat said.

He said the information that the statement takers collect from Kenyans who have suffered gross human rights violations and historical injustices would help set the record straight on the true version of the country's history.

"A new constitution does not erase the multiple versions of the history of abuse and conflicts in Kenya. The TJRC will guard against sectarianism and revisionist narratives of the history of abuses and conflict by piecing together a common narrative to move a united Kenya forward," he added.

In Kakamega, vice chairperson Tecla Namachanja Wanjala told the statement takers that their work was vital to the commission.

"The statements that you gather will form the foundation of the commission's hearings and its final report on the history of this country. It is therefore crucial that you carry out your roles to the best of your ability," Ms Wanjala said.

Speaking in Nakuru commissioner Farah Ahmed reminded the statement takers of the need for absolute confidentiality in recording statements.

"Many a times victims and perpetrators who wish to record statements will either feel threatened or intimidated. It is your duty to facilitate as much as possible the environment that will enable them to do so," said Farah.

In Kisumu the trainees were addressed by commissioner Margaret Shava who emphasised on the need for accuracy.

"It is important that you record exactly what people are saying to you so that all the details get into the statement and leave the rest to the commission. The statements will be professionally investigated and verified and some will then go on to the hearing stage," she said.

Human rights violations

The second group of statement takers will be trained in Mombasa, Garissa, Embu and Nairobi from the August 31.

At the end of a three-day training period the statement takers will be sworn in before they embark on collecting statements over the next 5 months.

At the end of statement taking period, the Commission expects to have recorded 90,000 statements and memoranda.

The mandate of the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission is to inquire into human rights violations including those committed by the state, groups or individuals. It includes but is not limited to politically motivated violence, assassinations, community displacements, settlements and evictions.

It will also inquire into major economic crimes, in particular grand corruption, historical land injustices and the illegal and irregular acquisition of land especially as these relate to conflict or violence, between 12th December 1963 to February 2008.

The Commission will receive statements from victims, witnesses, communities, interest groups, persons directly or indirectly involved in events or any other group or individual; undertake investigations and research; hold hearings and engage in activities as it determines to advance national or community reconciliation.