Somalina Posted March 18, 2011 By DAVE OPIYO Posted Tuesday, March 15 2011 at 11:54 Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim wants Parliament to amend the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Act to give the body more independence. Currently, the body set up to investigate past injustices and lead reconciliation efforts in Kenya relies solely on the central government to undertake most of its operations including the provision of funds. However, on Tuesday Mr Maalim said: “Unless you have your own independence, you will not go anywhere… I therefore propose that you take back the TJRC Act for amendments to allow you have the independence.” “The TJRC and other commissions therefore need to be financially independent in order to carry out their work.” He spoke as officials from the TJRC said they ready to start public hearings in northern Kenya next month. The hearings will begin in Garissa on April 11. The month-long tour will also see the truth team visiting Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo and Moyale. At a meeting with legislators, women leaders and professionals from northern Kenya ahead of the hearings, acting chair Tecla Namachanja said the region had borne the brunt of various injustices. “They include gross human rights violations and historical injustices recorded indicate that land, massacres, extra-judicial killings, serious injury, torture and rape are the most featured,” said Mrs Namachanja. And out of the 29,000 statements they received throughout the country from those who suffered various forms of injustices, 5,308 were from the region. The northern Kenya MPs declared their support for the Commission’s work, even as they requested for an extension of time spent on the hearings. Earlier this month, Mrs Namachanja said there has been discussion to extend the Commission's tenure by six months though no formal application has been made. She said it was impossible for the Commission to complete their task by the November deadline. The commission was set up in 2009 to investigate past injustices and lead reconciliation among Kenyans following the post-election violence. It is part of the Agenda Four of the National Accord signed in 2008. Defence Minister Yusuf Haji said the Commission had the region’s support while Mr Maalim underscored the importance of its work. “None of us from the region does not have a relative who was killed. We cannot just forget the past, who will forget on behalf of the dead? These injustices need to be brought out into the open,” said Mr Maalim. “While I understand the TJRC is working within its calendar it is my wish that it be extended so that the process is carried out thoroughly. When we politicise programs and massacres we are trivialising life,’ he added. Energy assistant minister Mohamed Mohamud urged the Commission to carry out intensive civic education to ensure the people knew how to engage with it. “The human rights violations that occurred in the region were very serious. Through these civic educations, more people will be able to come out and narrate their ordeal,” said Mr Mohammed who is also the MP for Mandera West. Mrs Rukia Subow, the chairperson of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake group asked the Commission to allow women participate in the sessions in camera. “Some women in these areas who had for instance suffered rape are shy to speak about their ordeals. We therefore request that that they be allowed to participate in camera,” she said. Source: Daily Nation Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
