NOTES BY LINDA
The meeting began by recognising the historical moment arrived at yesterday with the signing of the mediated peace deal through the assistance of the Kenya National Dialogue and reconciliation Team headed by H.E. Koffi Annan.
The meeting focused on the views of the Members towards the peace deal, urging them to discuss what they felt when they saw the leaders shake hands and say they had arrived at an agreement. The meeting further discussed ways in which the mediated agreements on 1st, 4th, 15th and 28th February 2008 can be implemented.
Samples of the views from the members are as follows: –
* I watched the signing of the agreement from the streets and it felt like independence, like a burden had been removed from my shoulders. Sadly police threw teargas at us as we celebrated, which ruined the moment and led me to think of what should be done to make the police “people friendlyâ€
* I watched the signing from the office. There was much excitement and relief. People wished each other a happy new year; it felt like finally we had a reason to celebrate.
* I felt two extremes, Excitement and apathy. I questioned the positivity of having two power centres; I wondered whether it really was time to celebrate. It’s like the birth of a baby, you get excited but also pray for the baby to survive. I think we need to come up with a model that will get the baby to survive. This is just the beginning, need to harmonise feelings, there is no winner or loser, and everyone must be carried on board.
* I felt there was going to be a big loss of an active opposition in parliament; a weak opposition means a weak parliament. All cameras were focussed on Hon. Raila and Hon. Kibaki now that the deal has been signed, the cameras will no longer tell us what is going on, as has happened in Rwanda and other countries where people forget what is going on. Do we have Kenyans still concerned about deeper problems in Kenya? We should start creating “philosophical cameras†to view the deeper issues in Kenya.
* This is a turning point in this country to bring about honesty and genuine change. Kenyans have been living in hypocrisy, not very genuine and honest friendship. It is time for acceptance and genuine solidarity. We have lived with it but we have tried to ignore the reality. The problem did not start on 27th December, this started long before. The biggest gift is that we cannot live under hypocrisy any more.
* I heard the announcement on the radio and drove straight home to see if the reaction of the leaders was genuine or not. I think we are on the right track; anybody becoming president or prime Minister will not take Kenyans for granted. This is a chance to build institutions not individuals; presidents come and go in other countries without bloodshed, why shouldn’t it be the same for Kenya? It is time to heal the problems we have.
* I was not excited, in fact I was confused. Government in place needs to be checked by a strong opposition, what happens to us if there is no check on Government? We needed what happened to bring to the fore what has been disturbing Kenya for a long time.
* The leaders have been able to greet hands and move on, how will the common mwananchi go and greet those who were displaced? Will the needs of Kenyans be addressed? The leaders will get the best salaries, what about everyone else?
* I was relieved and excited, transitioning from crisis and trying to get back to a normal situation. I think ODM will still act as an opposition if their needs are not met within the group. I was happy to see Raila refer to Kibaki as president, and Kibaki to call Raila by his name. In the flats where I live, people came out and celebrated, the process of forgiveness has begun.
* I felt relief. The CCP media statements on the implementation of the agreements encompass what I feel should happen now. We are in a constitutional dispensation whether we like it or not, it starts with us and will continue for generations to come. This appeals to our spirituality; the issue of forgiveness is the beginning of reconciliation and reconstruction. This is also a call to churches and religious leaders; this is the time to lead the healing.
* I was happy that we avoided a civil war, which seemed to be lurking just around the corner. The wording of the statement concerns me; the word coalition has been used in the statement in different contexts and with different meanings. What is meant when the word coalition is used? The problem of IDP’s still remains, many are still not prepared to go back to their homes. This problem needs to be addressed immediately.
* I felt relief because we have been living in uncertainty. The problem of large group identity, we need to capitalize on the space that was created by the leaders yesterday, which is the beginning of everything. We should use this situation to reflect and deal with issues that came to the fore. The challenge to CCP is how do we keep the politicians on track and tackle social issues affecting Kenyans?
* It was very nice to see the politicians sign the agreement. The agreement addresses political issues but our problems are greater than what was signed. This however serves as a stepping stone, now I can go back home and plant maize.
* The agreement is good though it deals with power sharing and not responsibility sharing.
* The two leaders command a great deal of support, which helps to bring change in people’s hearts. This came at a time when there are many bodies and organisations trying to bring peace in Kenya. People want a way forward on how to deal with their problems.
* I feel we have been in hell and now we are heading back to sanity. It has taken two months for leaders to finally bring back Kenya out of the hole we have been digging. Yesterday the leaders stopped digging and realised the need to climb out of the hole. Yesterday was a signal of good intentions. This is just the beginning; many other issues need to be resolved as the leaders continue to meet in Serena.
* How do we watch the political class? Many questions on the role citizens can play to watch the politicians and fill space left by the opposition to ensure we are not once more taken for a ride.
* We must be grateful that we managed to check things before they went too far since problems multiply over time making it difficult to deal with the initial issue. We must thank God that it took only 2 months think of other countries where it has taken years and generations.
After a peace accord what happens next?
* Its time to get down to the communities.
* We need to remove boundaries amongst ourselves and get to know one another along with our issues.
* We need to manage the feelings and emotions, which have been expressed and take responsibility.
* The problems manifested are at different levels; we need to engage with them at those levels from local to national.
The Way Forward
We need to be practical. Look at the agreements; they have identified the main issues affecting our society.
1. Analyse the agreements signed in February and create a matrix, dividing problems into broad categories, then create strategies and provide solutions to these problems. CCP members formed a task force of about 10 people; that will focus on the agreements and seek to fulfil this mandate. They will report back to the group during the next meeting.
2. Focus on the security apparatus- their training especially on how they handle conflict situations and people, pool and vet police.
3. Demand greater freedom of expression
4. Engage actively in community dialogue, trauma healing. (see write-up on Kibagare village from Steve Ng’ang’a)
5. Youth empowerment through Jua kali Sector
6. Legal system in Kenya – people have stopped believing in its efficacy what can be done to restore confidence?
7. Need to see transformative leadership – have a group of peace-builders engaging in peace-education. Get CCP structured and have it move to different parts of country.