After more than two decades of rule by Daniel arap Moi, democratic elections in December 2002 brought great change to Kenya with the election of President Mwai Kibaki. The new government expressed early support for a truth commission, and in April 2003 established a Task Force to consult broadly and propose terms of reference.
After the ICTJ's initial visit in January 2003, President Alex Boraine and Outreach and Analysis Director Priscilla Hayner returned to Kenya in August, at the invitation of the Task Force, to participate in a conference on integrating international best practices into the establishment of a truth commission in Kenya. The Task Force report recommended setting up a Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission with broad powers. However, other national challenges slowed discussions on the proposal.
Priscilla Hayner returned to Kenya in June 2004 to take part in a workshop sponsored by the Kenya Human Rights Commission to discuss in detail the truth commission's terms of reference. A final decision on establishing a truth commission in Kenya is expected in early 2005.
|
