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From 26th-27th of July 2004 Dr. Graca Machel, Eminent Member of the APR Panel led an APRM Support Mission to Kenya. The team was comprised of the following: Dr. Michael Mah'moud, Senior Financial Sector Adviser, NEPAD Support Unit, African Development Bank; Mr. Paul Andre de la Porte-UNDP Regional Coordinator (Kenya Country Office); Dr. Okey Onyejekwe, Regional Adviser on Governance, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA); Dr. Shamika Sirimanne, Senior Economist, Economic and Social Policy Division, UNECA; Mr. Gaston Bushayija Manager, Technical Support Facility NEPAD Secretariat; and Ms. Evelynne Change Coordinator for Corporate Governance, APR Secretariat.
Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat, the Vice Chairman of the APR Panel, who is based in Kenya, also participated in the mission.
The purpose of the Support Mission was to assess the processes and mechanisms put in place by Kenya to undertake its self-assessment and subsequently draft its Programme of Action. The support mission was also to conclude negotiations and sign the Memorandum of Understanding on the Technical Assessment Missions and the Country Review Visit.
The team noted the following progress made by Kenya in implementing the APRM;
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Pioneering in appointing a Focal Point for the APRM, the Ministry of Planning and National Development. This was an appropriate choice owing to the focus of the APRM on socio-economic development. It was noted that the Minister for Planning and National Development was very active in steering the national APRM process.
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Establishing an APRM Task Force comprised of stakeholders from both government and non government actors to conduct the national process pending the appointment of the National Governing Council.
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Organizing various consultative sessions on the APRM process and tools, in particular those of 14th and 21st July 2004. These fora culminated in the proposal of nominees to the National Governing Council. Stakeholders also elected convenors for the four thematic areas and technical lead institutions.
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Proposing to the Secretariat a road map for the implementation of the APRM at national level.
Briefing Session at the Ministry of Planning and National Development
On Monday the 26th of July 2004, the team had a briefing session with the Focal Point and Members of the APRM Task Force. Honourable Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o provided an update on the APRM process at national level.
Dr. Machel emphasized the issues of national ownership and broad based participation in the implementation of the APRM. She reiterated the importance of establishing a national commission that was inclusive of all stakeholders including religious organizations, women organizations, rural populations, urban poor and other key stakeholders.
Open Stakeholders Forum
An open stakeholders forum bringing together about three hundred participants from amongst others senior government officials, civil society participants, the private sector, media, academia and members of the diplomatic corps, was held on the morning of 26th of July 2004.
The formal address for this meeting was delivered by Hon. Moody Awori, the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya. He reiterated the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Kenya to the successful implementation of the APRM. Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat, Eminent Member of the Panel was present during the opening session. Also in attendance were, Hon. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o Minister of Planning and National Development and Hon. Amos Kimunya Minister for Lands and Housing who chaired the meeting.
Dr. Machel provided an overview of the progress made in the APRM at continental level. She noted that this was the fourth mission of its kind, support missions having already been sent to Ghana, Rwanda and Mauritius. She reiterated the concepts of national ownership and broad based participation for the successful implementation of the APRM.
Stakeholders provided feed back and sought clarification with regard to the modalities for their participation including:
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Institutions and structures to manage the process at national level: the national governing council; the convenors and the technical lead institutions.
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How to address country specific issues in the questionnaire.
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Information dissemination and reaching grass root populations.
Working session with the Technical Review Teams
The support mission also met with the convenors and technical lead institutions, which made presentations on the four thematic areas: Corporate governance, Democracy and Good political governance; Economic Governance and Management; and Socio-economic Development.
The Support Mission Team expressed its appreciation for the work undertaken by these institutions in such a short time. They commended the ownership and leadership demonstrated by stakeholders in the process. Deliberations were held on the way forward including appropriate processes, methodologies and participation and representation of stakeholders.
Meeting with Stakeholders
On Tuesday 27th of July 204, interactions were organized with various stakeholder groups including: the Africa Youth Parliament; the Kenya NGO Council; Business Community and Media Owners; and Parliamentarians.
The Africa Youth Parliament and the Kenya NGO Council expressed their views on the unfolding of the national process so far and their involvement and participation. They also highlighted key issues that needed to be addressed in the review process, for example, youth, gender, employment, rural and marginalized communities, disabilities, poverty and national debt.
The Business Community and media owners emphasized the importance of improved governance for economic growth and development, in particular with regard to attracting investment flows. They also underscored the importance of more positive reporting on issues.
Hon. Francis Ole Kaparo the Speaker of the National Assembly delivered an opening statement in the session with parliamentarians. He provided reassurance on the commitment of parliamentarians to the successful implementation of the APRM. Hon. Bonaya Godana on behalf of the Official Leader of the Opposition underscored the importance of improved governance in particular respect for rule of law. Hon. Oloo Aringo Chairman of the Parliamentary Service Commission emphasized the importance of democratizing the budgeting process.
Dr. Machel called on all these stakeholders to take ownership and shape the implementation of the APRM in the country. She urged them to involve their constituencies particularly at the grass root level.
Courtesy Call on the President
On the afternoon of 27th of July 2004, the support mission paid a courtesy call on His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya, Hon. Mwai Kibaki. The President welcomed the team and reiterated his country’s commitment to the effective implementation of the APRM. Dr. Machel commended the President for acceding to the APRM and noted that Kenya had volunteered as one of the first four countries to be reviewed. She noted that the team had interacted with a broad range of stakeholders and in particular had been particularly invigorated by the interaction with the Kenyan Youth, which could be shared as best practice.
Signature of MOU
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Technical Assessment Mission and the Country Review Visit was signed on the 27th day of July 2004 between Dr. Graca Machel Eminent Member of the APR Panel on behalf of the APR Forum and Hon. Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o Minister of Planning and National Development on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Kenya.
Closure
A wrap up session between the support team and the members of the national APRM Task Force was held at the national NEPAD Secretariat offices. The meeting was chaired by Mr. David. S. O. Nalo Permanent Secretary Ministry of Planning and National Development. Also in attendance was Mr. Pete Ondeng Chief Executive NEPAD Kenya Secretariat. The meeting reviewed the outcome of the support mission. It was indicated that the National Governing Council would be formally announced on the 20th of August 2004. It was agreed that the timeline of activities be adjusted to allow the review visit in the first quarter of 2005.
Appreciation:
The Government of Kenya expressed its gratitude to the Support Mission Team for its contribution to the launching of the national APR process. Dr. Machel on behalf of the Support Mission, expressed her profound appreciation to the Government of Kenya for the warm hospitality and the enthusiasm with which Kenya has embraced the APR process. She also noted the hard work done by the support mission team members and the country level stakeholders.
Dated at Nairobi this 27th day of July 2004
Dr. Graca Machel, Eminent Member of the APR Panel,
David S. O. Nalo, For National APR Focal Point.
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