Transitional justice and reconciliation in Kenya

This work revisits establishment of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation (TJRC) in Kenya, as a national conversation leading to a clear, true and objective record of accumulated historical injustices and human rights violations since Kenya's independence to 2008. The TJRC recommended specific actions for justice, healing and reconciliation to augment national cohesion. Through the case of Mount Elgon, the study has found out that due to legal flaws, huge mandate, insufficient resources, internal wrangles and lack of political will and support, truth telling was greatly compromised and its benefits are yet to be realized. This research indicates that whereas the TJRC report cannot be said to be a complete, actual, balanced and objective truth of past injustices and human rights abuses in Mount Elgon, and Kenya, it comprises part of the realities and some of its recommendation can serve as the basis for the pursuit of justice, healing and reconciliation. Perceptions of the people of Mount Elgon have once again revealed that a lot more needs to be done to ensure that the work of the TJCR, especially the truth that the commission gathered, does not go to waste entirely.

Autorentext

Ibrahim Sakawa Magara hat einen MA in Friedensstudien und internationalen Beziehungen vom Hekima University College und einen BA in Philosophie von der Päpstlichen Urbaniana Universität. Zurzeit arbeitet er bei Catholic Relief Services, wo er interreligiöse Gemeinschaftsaktionen zur Friedenskonsolidierung in sechs Ländern Afrikas unterstützt.