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KENYA: A SHINING LIGHT IN POLITICAL PARTY DIALOGUE. NJERI KABEBERI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CENTRE FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (CMD-KENYA). KENYA: POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.
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KENYA: A SHINING LIGHT IN POLITICAL PARTY DIALOGUE NJERI KABEBERI EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CENTRE FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (CMD-KENYA)
KENYA: POLITICAL LANDSCAPE • Kenya’s Independence from Britain in 1963: We are a Multi-party state with Kenya National African Union (KANU) being the front runner. • The bliss of multi-party politics ends in 1969, with key opposition leaders being arrested and detained without trial - the country becomes de facto one party state. • Following the attempted coup in 1982: The situation for multi-party politics becomes even worse; in June 1982, the National Assembly officially declares a one party state by amending the law, making Kenya a de jure one party state.
POLITICAL LANDSCAPE CONTINUED • In December 1991; Parliament annuls the one party section of the Constitution and Kenya returns to multi-party politics. • The 2002 General Elections is the 3rd one since the onset of multi-party politics. • The National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) finally rid the nation of what was globally perceived as a KANU dictatorship.
HIGHLIGHT MOMENTS FOR CMD-KENYA • ‘Dialogue is not one more way: its the only way’! This was the position held by CMD and its partners in the Kofi Annan mediated talks of January-February 2008. • CMD was at the forefront of supporting the 2010 Constitution Process and accompanying Legal and Institutional Reforms • CMD-Kenya: A platform of equals (big and small political parties are members of the centre) • CMD-Kenya has Sustainable Structures and early buy-ins at the onset in 2004 gave the members something to hold on to and defend. • Facilitation skills are key to a successful dialogue process
Evidence in my country has shown that development is related to politics and every time we have a weak political moment (2008) security, human rights and development are highly affected.
“INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF POLITICAL PARTIES”THE CASE OF CMD-KENYA • Direct support to political party leadership and party cadres: Bilateral and Cross party programs • Inclusivity: Gender mainstreaming in politics, Youth in political parties, participation of minorities and PWDs • Communicating effectively to the outside publics/internally 5. Contribution and support to the Political Parties Act (PPA 2007 and 2011) 6. Issues of national importance: Conflict Mitigation, Constitution, Memorization of our history, building bridges of understanding
NEXT STEPS Leadership Institute for Political Parties! Actualization of the 2/3rds gender rule in the political arena Continued support of the Dialogue Platform National and County level Support A new breed of political leadership: Youth and Communication capacity building Implementation of a new constitution
Action Points for EU Commission • Compliment efforts of the NIMD in supporting development of political parties. • Where possible work with the CMDs in the country (Kenya has exemplified that the CMD-Kenya has added value to major governance issues and moved in at critical moments). • Political Party Dialogue is working in many countries and it is an entry point towards Good Governance as indeed politics affects everything else in a country.
ASANTE SANA CENTRE FOR MULTI-PARTY DEMOCRACY (CMD-KENYA) • Sixth (6th) floor, International House • P.O. BOX 9903-00100, Nairobi, Kenya • Tel: +254-20-2215731/82 or +254-20-2216118/9 • Fax: +254-20-2216119 • Email: info@imd-cmd.co.ke • www.cmd-kenya.org