Team cites wrangles, poor funding as some of the obstacles it faced

By ABIGAEL SUM

Kenya: Internal wrangling, lack of political will, court cases and finally a report that indicts some within its ranks sum up the controversial tenure of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC).

TJRC in its report highlights some of the challenges they faced in the execution of its mandate including the controversy surrounding the credibility and suitability of the chairperson, financial and other resource constraints and legal challenges.

The commission also cites lack of sufficient political will to support the work and implementation of the objectives for which the commission was established as the other obstacles it had to surmount.

The report says that some of the challenges the team faced at times threatened its and took a physical and emotional toll on the commissioners and the staff of the commission.

The commission’s problems started immediately after the team was sworn into office when commissioners rejected Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat as their chair, citing conflict of interest with respect to the commission’s mandate.

Kiplagat resigned in November 2, 2011, and was away from office for nearly a year, severely tainting the commission’s image.

“The controversy about Kiplagat’s suitability as a chairperson of the commission and the legal suits that ensued adversely affected the operations of the commission throughout its life. His initial refusal to step aside led to the resignation of Kaari Betty Murungi as the vice-chairperson later as a commissioner,” read part of the report.

In February last year, a three-judge Bench dismissed the bid to have him replaced, saying the commissioners had no role in seeking the dismissal of their colleague.

TJRC says that rigth from inception, the commission did not have sufficient funds to effectively conduct its operations.

“The commission operated on a paltry budget throughout its life. The financial situation was so dire that at times it had to seek loans from Commissioners,” read a section of the report.

The report stated that it also faced legal challenges as soon after its establishment, two legal actions were lodged in the High Court, both of which sought the dissolution of the commission.

According to the report, lack of the support it needed from the Governement and to pursue the objectives for which it was established was the genesis of the challenges it faced.