Annan urges faster reform process

The former UN secretary general also says that the country must effectively pursue the entire reform agenda if the country is to avoid a repeat of the aftermath of the 2007 elections.

“In my view, while the progress has been remarkable, the pace of the reforms should move faster. That is because the window of opportunity for serious reform will start to close sooner than we might wish,” Mr Annan said in an op-ed published in the local dailies Sunday.

Mr Annan who helped bring Kenya together during the chaos said that tackling Agenda Four that arose from the mediation process was key to the country’s future. He noted that the agenda, which he referred to as the 'mwananchi agenda’ (citizen’s agenda), deals with the deep-seated issues that directly affect the lives and livelihood of most Kenyans.

“I have the form impression that sufficient political will now exists among the coalition partners and the sufficient unity of purpose exists among the public at large to provide Kenya with a historic opportunity of peaceful transformation,” said Mr Annan.

According to the former UN boss, these issues include unemployment, poverty and inequality, land grievances, ethnic discord, stalled judicial and other institutional reforms and the fight against corruption. He added that it was evident that Kenyans were eager to have all these issues sorted out, looking at events in the recent past.

"Kenyans are demanding more effective and more expeditious action on the 'mwananchi agenda’.

“And their growing impatience is exacerbated by the rising cost of living and a perception that their elected representatives – the 'ruling elite’ – are paying insufficient attention to their daily plight,” said Mr Annan.

He asked the politicians to move quickly to fully implement the tasks agreed in the National Dialogue talks in order to change this perception. He added Kenya would remain vulnerable and liable to a repeat of the chaos unless the reform agenda was effectively pursued entirely.

Kenyans, Mr Annan noted, want to see their political leaders work hard and take decisions that result in fair and equitable policies that benefit everyone. He added that come 2012, voters are more likely to award the parties and leaders who take the reform agenda seriously.

He also called in the public in various sectors to remain engaged and work with the politicians to advance the reforms.