Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) - “The various political parties have returned to dialogue, thanks to the pressures placed by UN Special Envoy for Kenya, Kofi Annan, and the diplomatic corps accredited in Nairobi,” Agenzia Fides was informed by sources from the Church in Kenya, whom we do not name for security purposes.
In the recent weeks, there had been an increase in the threat of division and disputes in the coalition that forms the government of national unity, so much so that a Nairobi newspaper released a headline saying: “Don't take us back into war!” The government of national unity is the fruit of a mediation effort made by the former UN Secretary General, who was given the role of helping the local politicians reach a resolution to emerge from the serious crisis that had enveloped the country since early 2008. On December 27, 2007, Presidential elections were held and the winner appeared to be incumbent President Mwai Kibaki. His main adversary, Raila Odinga, launched accusations of fraud, affirming that he had in fact been the winner. Between January and February 2008, tensions between the two parties led to violent conflict, with hundreds of deaths and the flight of millions from their homes. Some politicians, in fact, used the ethnic tensions to promote their own political agenda.
The crisis was finally resolved with the formation of a government of national unity that called for the appointment of Odinga as Prime Minister (a role that was not found in the Constitution and was added with an amendment) and Kibaki would remain Head of State.
“There are several politicians who are inducing political suicide, who threaten to use the ethnic 'wildcard' for election purposes,” Fides' sources mentioned. “The country is growing in its alarm at the spread of armed militias and it is now common public opinion that fighting will once again break out, this time worse than in 2008 because now almost everyone is armed.” In early April, Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mombasa denounced the attempt to use ethnic background for political ends (see Fides 6/4/2009).
The recent fighting, however, has been a strong appeal to the international community to take preventative measures to avoid the worst. Annan, in the meeting held in Geneva on March 30 to examine the progress after the signing of the national accord in February 2008, observed that “Kenya is at a crossroads.” The former UN Secretary General, however, added: “There is no doubt as to what should be done. The parties have drawn up a project for rebuilding a more equal, more prosperous and just society. This model is found in the reform package agreed on in the national dialogue.”
The package calls for constitutional, juridical, and institutional reform; fighting poverty and injustice and creating development programs; fighting unemployment, especially among the youth; maintenance of the national unity; agricultural reform, and steps towards greater honesty, responsibility, and fighting corruption in public offices.
The unity of the political forces is also of great importance in facing the drought that is affecting a large portion of Kenya. “On March 19, the rainy season was supposed to begin. Since then, only 3 mm of rain have fallen in Nairobi, in comparison to the usual 40 mm at this time of the year,” Fides' sources said. “According to the experts, we should be looking at drought intermingled with torrential rains. The harvest is scarce and the people are going hungry. The drought has heavily effected the Nyahururu area, which is considered the 'bread basket' of Kenya.” (LM) (Agenzia Fides 17/4/2009)
