An open letter to Opiyo Joseph. The objective of the National - TopicsExpress

An open letter to Opiyo Joseph. The objective of the National Accord was to resolve the political crisis of 2007/08.It was meant to address the causes of P.e.v.The Madoadoa phrase was used in relation to land ownership in Rift Valley. Those who were considered as foreigners were the ones referred to as Madoadoa and that is why there was a need for a new constitution in order to enhance the reform agenda and reconciliation. These included: constitutional reforms, transitional justice, judicial reforms, electoral reforms, police reforms and land reforms. According to Agenda 4 of the National Accord, there is need to address injustices and inequalities resulting from the past. that largely led to the post-election violence in 2007/2008 Such issues pertain to Constitutional Reforms whereby the need for a new constitution propelled the proposed constitution document to be created and the just-concluded referendum that saw the passing of the New Constitution which is keen to address the issues of women in addition to ensuring their participation in political processes and otherwise. Institutional Reforms focusing on the Police and the Judiciary are part of the agenda. Looking towards the 2012 elections and the desired future comprehensive electoral systems in Kenya, Electoral Reforms remain part of our key reform agenda. See below a section of the same. [Rev. 2012] No. 4 of 2008 National Accord and Reconciliation 7 [Issue 1] 9. Interpretation In this Act, the Agreement on the Princi ples of Partnership of the Coalition Government means the Agreement set out in the Schedule. SCHEDULE [Section 9.] ACTING TOGETHER FOR KENYA AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES OF PARTNERSHIP OF THE COALITION GOVERNMENT Preamble: The crisis triggered by the 2007 disputed presidential elections has brought to the surface deep-seated and long-standing divi sions within Kenyan society. If left unaddressed, these divisions threaten the very existence of Kenya as a unified country. The Kenyan people are now looking to their leaders to ensure that their country will not be lost. Given the current situation, neither si de can realistically govern the country without the other. There must be real po wer-sharing to move the country forward and begin the healing and reconciliation process. With this agreement, we are stepping forward together, as political leaders, to overcome the current crisis and to set the country on a new path. As partners in a Coalition Government, we commit ourselv es to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consul tation and willingness to compromise. This agreement is designed to create an environment conducive to such a partnership and to build mutual trust and confidence. It is not about creating positions that reward individuals. It seeks to enable Kenya’s political leaders to look beyond partisan considerations with a view to promoting the greater interests of the nation as a whole. It provides the means to implement a coherent and far-reaching reform agenda, to address the fundamental root causes of recurrent conflict, and to create a better, more secure, more prosperous Kenya for all. To resolve the political crisis, and in t he spirit of coalition and partnership, we have agreed to enact the National Acco rd and Reconciliation Act, 2008, whose provisions have been agreed upon in their entirety by the parties hereto and a draft copy thereof is appended hereto. No. 4 of 2008 [Rev. 2012] National Accord and Reconciliation [Issue 1] 8 • The Cabinet will consist of the President, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, the two Deputy Prime Ministers and the other Ministers. The removal of any Minister of the coalition will be subject to consultation and concurrence in writing by the leaders. • The Prime Minister and Deput y Prime Ministers can only be removed if the National Assembly passes a motion of no confidence with a majority vote. • The composition of the Coalition Government will at all times take into account the principle of portfolio balance and will reflect their relative parliamentary strength. • The coalition will be dissolved if the Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or if the parties agree in writing; or if one coalition partner withdraws from the coalition. • The National Accord and Reconciliation Act shall be entrenched in the Constitution. Having agreed on the critical issues above, we will now take this process to Parliament. It will be convened at the earliest moment to enact these agreements. This will be in the form of an Act of Parliament and the necessary amendment to the Constitution. We believe by these steps we can toget her in the spirit of partnership bring peace and prosperity back to the people of Kenya who so richly deserve it. Agreed this date 28 February, 2008. H.E. President Mwai Kibaki Government/Party of National Unity Hon. Raila Odinga Orange Democratic Movement Witnessed By: