Constitutional Reforms in Kenya

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History of reform

Constitutional Reform in Kenya has been a major issue since Kenya gained independence. The highlights of the evolution of Kenya's constitution can be highlighted by the following events:

Previous Proposed Constitution Drafts and processes

The 1969 Constitution which replaced the 1963 independence constitution had already been amended at least 12 times by 2010, and was widely agreed to require a major overhaul to create a more democratic framework with greater oversight of the executive by parliament. The constitution gave the president wide-ranging powers, provided for no prime minister, and was ill-suited to multiparty politics, despite the 1991 repeal of a 1982 amendment that had formalised the one-party state.[1]

The constitutional reform process that began in 2000 led to the adoption of several competing drafts, and a deadlock between government and opposition, until 2008.

Constitutional drafts and processes leading up to the adoption of the 2010 text

Following the post-election violence that broke out after the controversial December 2007 elections in which the renewed mandate of President Mwai Kibaki was alleged to be stolen, a team of mediators led by Kofi Annan, proposed by President Kufuor of Ghana, then chair of the African Union, pushed for a renewed constitutional review process. The National Dialogue and Reconciliation process led to an agreement between the parties in February 2008, including the formation of a government of national unity and other reforms. Agenda item 4 in the agreement focused on "Long-Term Issues", including constitutional and institutional reform.

See also

References

  1. Country Profile: Kenya (PDF). Library of Congress Federal Research Division (June 2007). Accessed 2010-07-23.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  2. "Kenya unveils draft Constitution", Capital FM, 17 November 2009
  3. "New Kenyan Constitution Ratified". Voice of America. 6 August 2010. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
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