Kenyan Peace Talks

Kenyan Peace Talks

In Nairobi, Kenya, a new deal has given hope for reconciliation in the country, where there has been increasing violence and deaths as a result of allegations of a manipulated presidential election in December 2007. President Mwai Kabiki of the PNU (Party of National Unity), the incumbent, beat Ralia Odinga of the ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) by only about 200,000 votes and was sworn in subsequently, but evidence of electoral manipulation upset many people and incited violence towards the Kikuyu people, the group of which Kabiki is a member. The Kikuyu people also have engaged in violence against the groups supportive of Odinga, predominantly the Luos and Kalenjin, which has created a volatile state of affairs in the country. The death toll has reached 1,500 and there are many more have been displaced or made homeless. The new talks have led conclusion that Odinga could be made Prime Minister, a new position, while Kabiki keeps the title of President. The extent to which power would be shared is not clear as of yet, but agreements on a range of reforms, including the improvement of electoral laws and human rights, as well as a review of the constitution were reached. (Kenya Peace 2008)

In colonial times the Kikuyu people were pushed out of their homes in the fertile highlands, and after independence, settled outside of their old territory, mostly in the Rift Valley, which upset some of the people native to those areas. Many Kenyans see the Kikuyu people as having an unfair amount of political power, holding an unequal portion of positions in the government, which contributes to hostilities between the different groups.

The impact of these peace talks have profound implications, most importantly for the Kenyan people, but also for the region of Sub-Saharan Africa and for the world as a whole. In the economic sense, this move towards reconciliation has the capability of improving the lives of all Kenyans, because if successful it will lead to shared resources and wealth amongst a wider range of people. On a local scale, the push by Odinga for the decentralization of power would theoretically put more wealth into the hands of the people in villages and cities all over Kenya. The result would likely be stimulation of the economy as more people are buying and selling. Nationally, the cooperation between groups will effect the amount of trade and prosperity, making the economy stronger. On the regional scale, the impact of the crisis has already been seen to be negatively effecting the economy . Recently the East African Community has warned of an economic slowdown throughout the region as trade is hindered. According to the EAC Secretary General, "Trade flows have been negatively affected and so have exchequer and business revenues. We can only promote and attract investments sustainably, as well as assure effective intra-regional trade, if we have enduring peace and stability." (AU Head 2008) On the global scale, the prosperity observed in Kenya if all goes well, would likely give a boost to the global economy.

Politically, the impact of reconciliation would be widespread.