Archive for the ‘Kenyan Democracy’ Category

Article by Peter Opiyo (The Standard) 30 April 2010 updated 1st May 2010. “Time Up: Ocampo closing on post-polls chaos suspects.” Peter Opiyo draws attention to the arrival in Nairobi, Kenya of the ICC (International Court of Justice) Prosecutor – Louis Moreno – Ocampo on 8th May 2010 and states “The political and business of prime suspects of
(the Kenya) 2007 post-elections violence could be over in six months.”

The article outlines the legal process that Prosecutor Moreno – Ocampo will follow and his determination to use Kenya as an example to stamp out impunity. (This determination was conveyed in an interview Mr Moreno – Ocampo held with Capital Radio in Nairobi).

There are 20 key individuals who will be asked to present themselves voluntary to the Hague or face arrest.
The application of Justice is seen as key to peaceful elections in Kenya in 2012.

Why ICC success in Kenya will be much easier despite stumbling blocks in Sudan? The article tackles the issue why Prosecutor Moreno-Ocampo sees the case as “simple” and with no problem bringing the 20 key individuals in Kenya to justice, whilst in neighbouring Sudan President Omar Bashir continues to go about his business being President scot free!

Useful Information:

The Standard Group – based in Nairobi is one of the leading media house in Kenya and Africa. Publisher of Kenya tabloid -
The Standard.

The International Court Of Justice (ICC)- Based in The Hague, Netherlands is the judicial arm of the United Nations. Louise Moreno-Ocampo is one of the key prosecutor’s for the ICC.

Capital FM – Based in Nairobi, Kenya. It is one of Nairobi’s leading radio stations. “Cosmopolitan and cool in outlook.”
The radio’s website had interesting articles and the comments sections are a useful guide to what people in Nairobi are thinking.

The Kenya Draft Constitution was passed on 1 April 2010. So what next?
William Ang’awa 1 April 2010

The Kenya Draft Constitution will now go to the Offices of Kenya’s Attorney General for editing. The Attorney General will complete editing and publish the new constitution by 2nd May 2010.

useful website: Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review. [Note their website is undergoing problems due to server problems].

The Kenya Parliament in Nairobi, Kenya passed the Kenya Draft Constitution in its present form and without any amendments at 9.05 pm East Africa Time (19.05 GMT). Useful backgound – Kenya Committee Of Experts On Constitutional Review.

After a wait of approximately 20 years – The Kenya Parliament passed the Kenya Draft Constitution in its present form and without any amendments at 9.05 pm East Africa Time (19.05 GMT).

According to a report by KBC reporters, Thursday 1 April 2010
MPs fail to pass any amendment (written while the bill was being debated)

– “controversial” amendments not passed include the Kadhi’s court (Courts run under Islamic law), devolution, abortion , division of Kenya into 25 regions and attempt to delete (a)(b) of article 31 “that gives a person the right not to have a person, home or property searched and possessions seized.”

Further useful quicklinks:

A-Z Links – Kenya Committee Of Experts website site map which has online references to the Kenya Draft Constitution.

Kenya 4 Kenyans Forum are holiding a conference entitled ““Najivunia Kua Mkenya 2009 Forum.” at the Harrow Leisure Centre, London, United Kingdom. Kenyan Hip- Hop artist will perform.

Kenyans4Kenya is a networking organisation.

Kenyans are celebrating the 46th year of independence from Britain.

The US Secretary of State Mrs Hilary Rodham Clinton begins her tour of sub-saharan Africa. Kenya is the first stop.