Kenya's Constitution, One Year Later
Community discussions are generating support for full implementation of constitutional mandates.
In a landmark referendum last year, Kenyans approved a new constitution, and President Mwai Kibaki signed the document into law on August 27, 2010.
The new constitution ushered in hopes for a new political era, as it captured the aspirations of ordinary Kenyans for a better tomorrow. Its adoption marked a positive end to a constitutional debate that spanned more than 20 years and endured many setbacks.
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| Young men perform a skit dramatizing the benefits of Kenya's one-year-old constitution.
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The first anniversary of the ratification, however, was marked by a notable lack of excitement. Initial optimism has been damped down in many quarters, as implementation has faced numerous stumbling blocks. In addition, many of Kenya's politicians are more interested in preparing for the next election than in establishing the structures called for by the constitution.
Recognizing that the anniversary offered a unique opportunity to engage citizens in a candid discussion of the gains achieved, or not achieved, in the past year, USAID supported the Constitution Observation Group (COG), an umbrella entity for Nairobi-based youth organizations, with an effort to hold a series of community dialogues.
COG is working to revive enthusiasm for the constitutional reforms, seeking to motivate citizens to press for full implementation. The group sited "local-to-local" discussions in informal settlements in Nairobi and Kisumu because residents in these areas demonstrated high levels of support for the
2010 referendum. The discussions provided attendees with education on the elements of the constitution in an effort to encourage constructive reflection on the benefits of the constitution to their lives.
Solidarity among diverse constituencies is essential for keeping pressure on politicians to fully implement constitutional reforms, and COG's grassroots approach to generating momentum appears to be succeeding, as many participants emerged from the discussions with a renewed commitment to positive social change.
For further information, please contact:
Megan German, Program Manager - Kenya, 202-712-1997, mgerman@usaid.gov.
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