Kiplagat has called on community elders to use traditional methods of resolving disputes in order to “bring warring political groups together”. NGOs agree that this is worth doing, as does the national body representing local elders.
Ndungu Gaithoma, coordinator of the Kenya National Council of Elders, said its members were working with local political factions to try to build a more cohesive society.
“Politicians will never agree on certain issues, they are always inciting and telling [lies] but as elders – custodians of various communities – we have ongoing dialogue,” Gaithoma told IWPR. “As elders, our role is to bring opposing parties together. We are acting as the bridge between them [local opposing factions] in order to realise national cohesion and integration.”
In his IWPR interview, Kiplagat also addressed one of CORD’s key demands – fixing problems with the process of devolution set out in the constitution. Many powers have already been passed from central government to the 47 counties, but there has been considerable confusion and disagreement about who exactly is responsible for what. (See Kenya’s Devolution Squabbles)
In Kiplagat’s view, such problems cannot be fixed just by changing the constitution. Rather, he says, the relevant constitutional provisions have been put into practice too slowly. This has fed mistrust in the process, and that in turn has made it difficult to achieve progress.
“The present political unease has its roots in the way we are slowly implementing the constitution,” he said. “There is a need for a smooth working relationship between the three arms of the government towards the common goal of peace and security.”
Robert Wanjala is a freelance reporter in Kenya.
This article is the first in IWPR’s new Kenya Security series. It was produced as part of a media development programme implemented by IWPR and Wayamo Communication Foundation in partnership with The Star newspaper and Capital FM.
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