By Kylie M Tsudama
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan went to Nairobi to assess the status of implementing agreements made during the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation (KNDR) process.  There he met with President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Kenya to discuss, in particular, those institutional reforms under Agenda Item Four dealing with land reforms, ending poverty, employment and historical adjustments.

His visit comes as Kenya is facing increased international pressure because of its slow response in implementing agreed reforms.

Both President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga signed a power-sharing deal to end last year’s bloodbath.  They have both expressed their commitment to introducing necessary reforms to the country.  Annan said he is encouraged by their commitment.

Annan was instrumental in mediating an end to last year’s violence.  He has said that the country should form a local tribunal to try the suspected perpetrators.  He believes that this would require both a Kenyan court and the International Criminal Court (ICC).  The President and the Prime Minister, however, believe that this would only require the ICC and not a Kenyan court.

While the President and Prime Minister have made progress toward implementing the reforms, Annan said “the pace of the reforms must be accelerated.”

“Kenya cannot afford a recurrence of the crisis and violence that engulfed it after the 2007 elections.  But that is a serious risk if tangible reform is not achieved,” he said.  “Kenyans are concerned that the window of opportunity to deliver reform is rapidly closing.”  He continued, “Kenyans who are normally patient people are beginning to doubt whether their leaders can deliver.”

Violence last year was sparked by accusations that Odinga rigged the election so that Kibaki would win reelection.  What started as political violence turned into tribal killings based on poverty, long-held ethnic hatred, and unresolved land disputes.  It left 1,200 dead and another 350,000 displaced.

“My conversations with Kenyans during the last three days have underscored that there is a crisis of confidence in Kenya’s political leadership,” Annan said.

He believes that of reforms are not quickly implemented the next round of violence would not be committed with spears an machetes as usual but with firearms.  He warns that the 2012 elections are quickly approaching.

“[The nation] cannot afford another cycle of violence,” Annan said.

For more information, please see:

AFP – ‘Serious Risk’ of Fresh Kenya Unrest id no Reforms: Annan – 08 October 2009

The Standard – Follow-up Visit by Chief Mediator Shows Kenya Still on the Radar – 08 October 2009

VOA – Kenya Warned of Future Poll Violence – 08 October 2009

AP – Annan: Kenya Postelection Violence Tribunal Needed – 07 October 2009

Xinhua – Former UN Chief Lauds Talks with Kenyan Leaders – 06 October 2009