Kenya PM signs charter to renounce violence

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Prime Minister Raila Odinga has signed a peace charter committing himself to renounce election -related violence March 22, 2012. FILE 

By AGGREY MUTAMBO amutambo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Thursday, March 22  2012 at  16:19

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has signed a peace charter committing himself to renounce election -related violence Thursday.

The charter by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and running under the ‘Kenya Kwanza Campaign’ seeks endorsements from Kenyans against violence as the next General Election approaches.

Mr Odinga said violence which normally arises during or after elections has been the main reason why most Kenyans remain poor because of its destructive nature.

“Our country has over the years become more divided, more unjust and poorer with every passing year. And our leaders have told their communities that they are poor because of this or that tribe,” he said.

The PM was the first high ranking government official to sign the charter. Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Gichugu MP Martha Karua have also signed it.

During the 2007 post-poll violence, some 1,133 people died and at least 600,000 others lost their homes and property to the fighting that was largely along tribal lines. It is with this in mind that the NCIC launched the campaign last week to have Kenyans publicly declare their support for tolerance.

NCIC says it would use this to help prevent hate speech campaigns that have been witnessed before but which have been difficult for the Commission to deal with through courts.

Mr Odinga said it would be the duty of the cohesion agency to deal with politicians involved in hate mongering.

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“It is the responsibility of the Commission to highlight these cases. As a government, if the NCIC points out politicians who have violated provisions of the charter, then we will take action because we are committed to it.”

But the Commission admitted that it has not been easy to prosecute those suspected for inciting people into violence because of the level of proof required.

“When there’s a case for hate speech, it must meet the threshold to stand in the court of law. We do try to meet these conditions although it may appear a little irritating to Kenyans. Investigations are going on and we are going to deal with all those cases,” said Commissioner Milly Lwango

The Peace charter lists non-discrimination based on tribe, race or religion, integrity, tolerance and inclusivity as key values that every Kenyan must support to avoid any future inter-community skirmishes.

Every Kenyan is supposed to pick a copy from the NCIC offices, sign their name, indicate identification and contact details before sending it back. Part of the charter’s 6-point declaration says, “I have publicly expressed support towards a cohesive Kenya…that I will not be party to violence, intimidation, and any other such practices that may breach peace…in Kenya.”

Other points talk about the freedom of expression and the call for others to respect each other’s opinion.

NCIC vice chairman Mary Onyango said much of the country has been polarised by politicians who use tribes to advance their personal goals as opposed to marketing nationhood.
“The feeling of Kenyans is that we don’t have a nation called Kenya but a conglomeration of ethnic nations. This charter is basically about service beyond self.”

She said the Commission is serious about the promotion of peace because they drew lessons from the 2008 fiasco.

NCIC will be involving government officials, politicians, Members of Parliament, the judiciary, churches and mosques, civil society groups and even the international community in their drive. All these, according to Ms Onyango would sign the charter and be involved in telling others about it.

Other key figures expected to sign the charter include President Kibaki, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Speaker of the National Assembly Kenneth Marende, Cabinet ministers, Judges and MPs.