Opposition leader Raila Odinga on Thursday had a seven-hour meeting with South Sudan President Salva Kiir in what seems to usher in his full-blown role as an African Union special envoy, and an official representative of Kenya in the negotiations to end civil strife in the troubled country. This meeting marked the moment Raila truly begins his ‘peace envoy’ endeavors.
It marks Raila’s initial steps as he begins his peace envoy role. He starts his responsibilities with the historic March 9 handshake. This was with President Uhuru Kenyatta, sealed on the steps of Harambee House, Nairobi.
Mr Odinga, accompanied by his lawyer Paul Mwangi and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed, took a 7am Kenya Airways flight to Juba for the talks with Mr Kiir that ended at around 5pm.
Next week, as Raila begins his new duties as peace envoy, Mr Odinga will travel to South Africa. He will meet former South Sudan vice-president Riek Machar there. He is the ace of the other half of the new country’s ugly conflict.
Details of the meeting emerged as Mr Odinga promised to use the handshake to tackle increasing corruption scandals in government. Meanwhile, a 14-member implementation team developed a timeline. They projected it would take them six months to produce a report on the initiative. This timeline is crucial as Raila begins focusing on his ‘peace envoy’ mission.
TACKLE GRAFT
Speaking for the first time about the Sh9 billion National Youth Service scandal and the National Cereals and Produce Board scam in Busia, Mr Odinga said he and President Kenyatta had long agreed to tackle graft.
The 14-member peace team has, meanwhile, been working away from the public eye. They aim to come up with a clear foundation on what needs to be done. This is to achieve the nine-point agenda sealed with the historic handshake.
“The team estimates that it will need at least six months to complete its work and present the findings to the appointing authorities — President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga,” a source aware of the goings-on, but not authorised to speak to the media, said.
The two leaders agreed to address ethnic antagonism, lack of national ethos, and inclusivity. They also aim to strengthen devolution, end divisive elections, and ensure the safety and security of Kenyans. Additionally, they want to end corruption and ensure shared prosperity, emphasizing the importance of Raila beginning his peace envoy mission.
BROAD GUIDELINE
To plan how the agenda will be rolled out, the team, which includes Senators Amos Wako (Busia) and his Garissa counterpart Yusuf Haji, quietly met last week. They convened at the Windsor Hotel and Golf Club.
In the three-day meeting from Wednesday to Friday, the team agreed on the terms of reference and rules of engagement. They also developed a broad guideline on how it will go about its job. It is set to meet again in the first week of June to review what was agreed on at Windsor before hitting the road.
“The advisers expect to travel to different parts of the country and to engage with different audiences in the coming days and weeks,” a statement after the Windsor meeting said. It added, “They are honored by the opportunity to advise the two leaders on bringing Kenyans close together. They are united in their faith that such leadership can indeed lead to a million handshakes and a united, fair and prosperous Kenya.” This vision is closely linked to Raila’s role as he begins ‘peace envoy’ duties.
The team is expected to meet the President and Mr Odinga any time now to brief them on its progress. This is crucial as Raila begins this phase of his peace envoy role. It is especially important for the terms of reference and the rules of engagement.
Besides Senators Wako and Haji, the other members are University of Nairobi don Adams Oloo, Ms. Agnes Kavindu, Ms. Florence Omose, Prof Saeed Mwangumi, chairman of Kisii Council of Elders James Matundura, and Kalenjin Myoot Council of Elders chairman Major (rtd) John Seii.
AVOID PARTISANSHIP
Others are Bishop (retired) Lawi Imathiu of Methodist Church. He was also a one-time chairman of the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru Association (Gema). Additionally, Samburu Woman Rep Maison Leshomo, Mr. Morompi ole Ronkai, Bishop Peter Njenga, Makueni Woman Rep Rose Moseu, and Catholic Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kisumu Zachaeus Okoth are included.
ODM leader Raila Odinga (third left) with South Sudan President Salva Kiir (fourth right). PHOTO COURTESY | NATION MEDIA GROUP
In its deliberations, sources said, the members vowed to avoid partisanship of any nature. This includes political, ethnic, or religious partisanship, given that its key task is to ensure nationhood. They are focused on the ways that Raila begins his peace envoy mission without bias.
It will also arrive at decisions by consensus and collectively own decisions taken by the team. In the June meeting, the team is expected to narrow down on how to tackle each of the nine areas contained in the Building Bridges MoU. There are indications that national ethos, devolution, and corruption may stand alone.
REFORM PROPOSALS
For each of the three key areas, the team proposes to spend at least a month.
The work will include outlining the policy, administrative reform proposals, and implementation modalities. This will occur when Raila fully begins his peace envoy responsibilities. Views are expected to be sought from citizens, advocacy groups, and other stakeholders with relevant information.
Mr Odinga’s lawyer Paul Mwangi and Ambassador Martin Kimani for President Kenyatta form the secretariat of the team. They were chosen based on their experience and sobriety.
It is still unclear whether the achievement of the deal will require a referendum as proposed by Mr. Odinga. This position has been dismissed by President Kenyatta.
Source-nation.co.ke
Rev 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death shall be no more. Neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore. For the former things have passed away.”
