USAID/OTI Kenya Annual Summary Report
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October 2010 - September 2011 |
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Program Description
The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) Kenya program continues to support critical reforms that seek to put an end to the culture of impunity that pervades Kenya's government and prevent a return to the type of violence that occurred following the 2007 elections. In 2010, the program began to focus on promoting key constitutional reforms and continues to pursue this goal with the overall objective of supporting a peaceful transition through the 2012 elections.
The Kenya Transition Initiative (KTI) was initially implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. under a task order that closed in May 2011. Chemonics, which began operations as OTI's new implementing partner in January 2011, will manage KTI activities through program closeout in May 2013.
Program Areas
In pursuit of effective reform and promoting a peaceful transition, OTI works with public institutions to undertake reforms while also mobilizing the public, youth, and key change agents to organize for change, promote and demand accountability, develop alternative voices, and support peace-building.
- Chemonics signed the SWIFT Task Order for KTI on January 14, 2011. A start-up workshop was held at Chemonics' office in Washington, D.C., on January 20-21, 2011, and an in-country start-up conference was held on February 7-9, 2011, in Naivasha, Kenya.
- KTI funded the establishment of the Eldoret Chief Magistrates' electronic case management system, which was commissioned by Chief Justice J.E. Gicheru. The court can now efficiently manage its cases electronically by providing information to litigants, advocates, and the public through Web-based and mobile phone applications.
- On November 10-12, 2010, the National Youth Forum (NYF) hosted the 2nd Annual National Youth Forum at the International Conference Centre in downtown Nairobi. The forum brought together 700 Kenyan youths representing more than 20,000 grassroots youth organizations to deliberate on key issues affecting their development, to propel the implementation of the constitutional reform agenda, and to advance reconciliation across ethnic lines—part of the NYF's broad-based objectives.
Country Situation
International Criminal Court – Since December 2010, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has been the epicenter of growing tension and antagonism in Kenya. On December 15, 2010, ICC Prosecutor Moreno Ocampo issued a list naming six suspects (the Ocampo Six) alleged to have masterminded the post-election violence in 2007-08. In March 2011, the pre-trial chamber confirmed there were reasonable grounds for the six suspects to be arraigned for crimes against humanity. The impact of the ICC hearings on the 2012 elections remains to be seen.
Incursion into Somalia – In October 2011, Kenya launched operation Linda Nchi, which means "Protection Nation" in Kiswahili. The Linda Nchi operation aims to create a 100-km buffer zone along the Kenya-Somalia boarder to secure Kenyan territory against attacks by Al-Shaabab. The Somali conflict, and the subsequent migration of large numbers of displaced Somalis to Kenya, has only increased the security and humanitarian dilemma in Kenya.
Kenya's New Constitution – The adoption of the new Constitution on August 4, 2010, marked an important milestone toward the restoration of Kenya's transitional justice process. However, crucial reform bills, most importantly legislation addressing the refurbishment of Kenya's electoral system, have yet to be implemented. Moreover, the process is increasingly fraught with tensions engendered by the political leadership—a situation that is likely to become more pronounced as the 2012 presidential elections come to dominate the political landscape.
Criminal Justice System Reforms – Despite the challenges facing efforts to implement constitutional reforms, Kenya has achieved major strides toward reforming the judicial system. The appointments of Dr. William Mutunga as Chief Justice and Nancy Baraza as his deputy demonstrate strong support for the reform process in Kenya. Shortly after Mutunga and Baraza took office, Dr. Keriako Tobiko was appointed as the Director of Public Prosecutions even though his detractors launched major campaigns—invoking political and personal criticisms—to undermine the appointment.
Upcoming Events
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ICC judges to confirm charges against the six suspects alleged to be complicit in 2007-08 post-election violence. |
Grants Summary
In 2011, OTI, through its implementing partners Development Alternatives and Chemonics, funded 88 small-grant and technical assistance activities totaling $3.64 million. The breakdown by sector for FY11 is as follows:
Grant Amount by Sector |
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Activities
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| Delegates at the second National Youth Forum discuss an action plan.
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National Youth Forum – The National Youth Forum (NYF), held at Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, November 10-12, brought together over 700 delegates representing more than 20,000 grassroots youth organizations with a nationwide subscriber base of over 1.5 million members across religious, political, gender, cultural, and ethnic divides.
During the forum, the delegates debated key issues, shared experiences, listened to expert advice, and resolved that every citizen has a constitutional responsibility to respect, uphold, and protect the new Constitution of the Republic of Kenya. The theme of the forum, Ni Wakati Wetu, Jukumu kuu ni Letu, which means "Our time is now, the greater responsibility is ours," emphasized that the responsibility to push for the implementation of the Constitution belongs to the young generations. Participants acknowledged that the new Constitution has ushered in a focus on the active role of youth, particularly with regard to equity and development and governance, by creating room for youth participation.
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| Officials pose at a ceremony marking the completion of the Eldoret Chief Magistrate's Court Electronic Case Management System.
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Assisting Judicial Reform – KTI funded the establishment of an electronic case management system at the Eldoret Chief Magistrate's court. The Eldoret Law Court is the first magistrates' court in Kenya to acquire an electronic case management system, a major milestone for the country's judicial branch, which has long been perceived as having conservative and insular information intake and communication technology processes. The court can now better manage cases through an efficient system that provides information to litigants, advocates, and the public via the Web and mobile phone applications.
Implementing the New Constitution – The new Kenyan Constitution was enacted on August 27, 2010, after more than 60 percent of Kenyans voted to approve it in an August 4 referendum. To help implement the new Constitution, KTI, along with Sisi ni Amani, used short message service (SMS) technology to assist with the by-election in Kamkunji. The SMS system allowed local community leaders to engage in dialogue with their constituents while providing voters with an opportunity to review the qualifications of political aspirants vis-à-vis policy stances and qualities of good leadership. The initiative focused on 1) providing voters, especially young voters, with information on the provisions of Chapters 6 and 7 of the Constitution; 2) providing voters with the means to question candidates and express their opinions on public priorities; and 3) supporting a fair electoral process by monitoring and reporting on hate speech and electoral malpractices.
KTI also funded a candidate debate in Kamkunji on May 11, 2011. Approximately 200 constituents attended the event, which was run by Bunge la Mwananchi. The debate was a one of a kind event—as no other constituency had a formal opportunity to question its political aspirants.
Program Appraisal
The past year has been a busy one for KTI. During the first quarter of FY11, activities largely focused on youth engagement and civic education and action. The program successfully implemented four Road Shows that toured the Rift Valley, promoting violence prevention and encouraging peaceful dialogue about Kenya's path to justice and peace. The shows drew more participants than any previous KTI activity. During the second quarter, operations were largely dominated by the issuance of a new task order and the subsequent change in implementing partner. Chemonics and DAI cooperated well on handover issues such as inventory disposition, staff transitions, and other management and logistical needs. DAI closed the KTI office in Kisumu on March 31, as the focus of program activities has shifted to Kericho, which is viewed as a more critical potential hot spot in the lead-up to the 2012 elections. Chemonics signed the lease for its Nairobi office in March and assumed management responsibilities at the Eldoret office on April 1.
Chemonics spent most of the second half of the fiscal year in start-up mode, ramping up programming in both Kericho and the Eastleigh community in Nairobi. Funded by Mission Economic Support Funding (ESF), the Eastleigh program focuses on targeting violent extremism in the predominately Somali community. Activities began in earnest in late summer 2010.
While OTI continues to support non-governmental organizations and institutions of government that promote a pro-reform agenda, KTI is focusing its programming on major political developments that have largely consumed the Kenyan population, including 1) the implementation of the new Constitution, key elements of which address women's rights, new Senate and constituent seats, devolution of power and funds to the county level, and drawing of new constituent boundaries; 2) the ongoing ICC process and its effects on ethnic tensions; and 3) the lead-up to the 2012 presidential elections. KTI programming addresses these issues by engaging key youth and local grassroots organizations in civic action in priority geographic areas.
In light of the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, the recent attacks on Kenyan soil by alleged terrorists, and the Kenyan military's subsequent deployment into Somalia, KTI is poised to begin retargeting programming to new geographic areas, particularly along the Coast, if funding becomes available. The new developments in Somalia, the ICC process, and the upcoming trials of the Ocampo Six are having, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the 2012 elections. In 2012, KTI programming will focus on these issues to encourage peace and mitigate conflict in what has the potential to be a volatile year.
For further information, please contact:
Megan German, Program Manager - Kenya, 202-712-1997, mgerman@usaid.gov.
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