EISA Kenya Field Office Programme Activities
2011
February 2011 Activities - EISA Kenya
- Political Party Agents Training for Kirinyaga Central By –Elections
- Launch of Conflict Management Panel: Nyeri Region
- Induction Workshop: Political Parties Dispute Tribunal
- Commence Development of Draft Political Parties Act
Overview
EISA Kenya is implementing activities aimed at strengthening and sustaining democratic institutions and electoral processes. Many in country acitivities form part of the broader Africa Democracy Strengthening Program II (ADS II). As part of the implementation strategy for ADS II in Kenya, EISA will conduct activities according to the three main areas envisioned in the programme:
- Working with the IIEC and key stakeholders to enhance and improve the electoral process in Kenya;
- Enhancing the capacity of the Legislature in order to improve its effectiveness, and
- Strengthening the institutional capacity of political parties to effectively harness internal democracy and represent the views of party members and the electorate.
To this end, EISA Kenya staff have successfully completed an induction workshop with the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) for the launch of Conflict Management Panels, and initiated discussions with political parties.
Conflict Management Panels
EISA convened an induction workshop for the IIEC on 28 June 2010. The objectives of the workshop were to:
- Familiarise delegates with the concept of Conflict Management Panels;
- Present an overview of conflict, especially political and electoral conflict; and
- Provide the IIEC with a comparative perspective on Conflict Management Panels conducted by EISA in other countries, such as the DRC and South Africa.
Based on discussions with the IIEC, EISA proposes to launch Regional Forums in hotspot areas before the Referendum set for 4 August 2010. The workshop defined hotspots as areas marked by violence based on the previous elections as well as areas likely to experience competitive voting. The concept of CMPs will be launched to multiple stakeholders at these forums, the first of which was held on 7 July in Mombasa, Coast Province. Other areas identified as potential hot sposts were Central Rift-Nakuru, Central Eastern-Meru and Nairobi.
Political parties
EISA has also begun consulting with key political parties in Kenya. On 29 June 2010, EISA held a meeting with Hon. Danson Mungatana, Secretary General of Narc-Kenya to discuss the political parties programme envisioned under ADS II. NARC-Kenya agreed to support and partner with EISA. In the coming weeks, EISA will hold discussions with other key Kenyan political parties to discuss the various activities being planned.