Rob Macaire

UK and Kenya- Replies to some points made

Some thoughtful and thought-provoking comments on my last post.  A couple of them ask questions:

First, Iqbal Halani asks about a Special Tribunal as proposed in the Waki Commission as against the alternative idea of a tribunal set up under existing mechanisms.   It's up to Kenyans to decide what route they want to take towards justice for the post-election violence.  But as far as we are concerned, we remain strong supporters of the National Accord process, of which the Waki Commission was a key part.  And one of the key conclusions of that Commission was that any judicial process was going to have to be credible and independent.  That's why it recommended a tribunal anchored in the constitution.  Would an alternative that is under the existing structures be credible?  Judging by the fact that most Kenyans seem to harbour doubts about even the stronger, Waki version, I can't imagine that a weaker one would be acceptable to many people.  What do you think?

Second, let me answer Alexander's question about the links with the case brought by veterans of Mau Mau.  I think it is absolutely right to point out that transitional justice mechanisms need to link back to history.  At a time when Kenya is setting up a TJRC to look at injustices since independence, it's perhaps a good moment to look back before that, to the colonial period also.  We certainly don't want to impede that debate, and we think it's important to have an open discussion, including of Mau Mau and the Emergency period.  I am afraid that I'm going to duck for now the invitation to make a statement about the case itself: I don't know the details of the claims, so it is difficult to comment in any detail, and since these are before the courts, that's the right place for the discussion to happen.   But a couple of general points:  as I said to the representatives of the Mau Mau veterans when I met them before they left for the UK, I believe that everyone who thinks they have a justifiable claim should have access to the courts to have it heard.  I have faith in the High Court in London to hear it impartially, and of course the British Government will abide by the outcome.  And although I am not sure how much prospect they have of actually winning their case, I don't think it is unhelpful to shine a spotlight on what has happened in in the past, including in the Emergency period which brought a great deal of suffering to people on all sides.

And thirdly, I apologise for not answering earlier Mary Onyango's question about the health sector. Health is, indeed, essential for development.  DFID is funding on average £28 million per year on health and AIDS work, particularly malaria control.  The UK is a development partner in the health sector and we engage in a variety of policy and strategy consultation mechanisms.  We work with civil society as well as government, and concentrate our work in areas of high vulnerability.  We have funded the distribution of 14 million anti malarial bednets to date and provide around 30 million condoms per year.
Of course, there is always more to do.  For another example of our work, see my blog  on a military medical exercise last month.

ends

Posted at 08:18 01 July 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[0]

UK and Kenya - Karura mission

One of the things that strikes people who come to live in Kenya is the high level of environmental awareness, and nowhere more so than on the issue of forests.  So although the current ongoing destruction of the Mau Forest is absolutely tragic (I've seen the smoke rising from it myself), on the other hand there is a huge lobby of concern, and it is encouraging to hear that the Government has made it a priority to reverse the situation, and save that vital watertower.   I know that the land ownership and usage arguments are complex and sensitive, but I have been impressed that there seems to be political support across the spectrum for urgent action.
 
But today I wanted to write about the Karura Forest - much smaller than Kenya's major watertowers, but for those of us in Nairobi, an extraordinary natural asset, right on our doorsteps (someone told me it is the largest indigenous forest inside an urban area anywhere in the world).   It was famously saved from encroachement/development by some extrordinarily courageous campaigning by Wangari Mathaai and her Green Belt Movement.  Yet tragically, hardly anyone goes there because of its security reputation.   So I was delighted to hear that the Kenya Forest Service, along with local community leaders and other stakeholders, have a plan to open it up as an educational and recreational amenity, by making it safe and secure for all.   That's why I and my family will be going along to the open day celebrating the opening up of a Family Trail through the forest (Saturday 16 May, 10.00 at Old Kiambu Road entrance to the forest).   My wife Alice is a great fan of the forest, pointing out that it's one of the most beautiful places around (50 foot waterfalls, sacred caves, a huge variety of plants and animals), and we're keen to help support those who have the interest of the forest at heart.   I can imagine a great future for it as a place where schoolchildren come every day to learn about local history and nature; where local people can get some respite from the pressures of city life; where dead wood can be gathered for fuel for local communties; and where leisure activities bring in a sustainable income to keep the forest safe for future generations.   Well done to those who are working to make this happen!
 
Rob

Posted at 10:38 15 May 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[2]