Moving Forward with Constitutional Reform in Kenya
The CSIS Africa Program and the National Democratic Institute held a conference on: Moving Forward with Constitutional Reform in Kenya
8:30-8:55 a.m. Arrivals and Breakfast
8:55-9:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
Jennifer Cooke Director, Africa Program, CSIS
9:00-10:30 a.m. Panel 1: Passing the Constitution
Panelists will look back at the results of the referendum on Kenya’s constitution, assess the role of domestic observers, analyze regional voting patterns, and draw lessons from the experience to take through to the presidential and legislative elections in 2012.
Ken Nyaundi Chairman of Referendum Committee, Interim Independent Electoral Commission
Kennedy Masime Executive Director, Center for Governance and Development; Chairman, Elections Observation Group (ELOG)
Mary O’Hagan Senior Resident Director, NDI Kenya
Moderator: Keith Jennings NDI Regional Director, Southern and East Africa
10:30-10:45 a.m. Break
10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Panel 2: The Challenges of Implementation: Land, Devolution, and the Rule of Law
Transforming the constitution from a document to law will require Parliament to pass nearly 50 pieces of supporting legislation. Experts on the second panel will address these logistical issues and weigh the political and technical challenges of applying the constitution to Kenya’s most pressing national issues: land reform, devolution, and strengthening the rule of law.
David Ndii Independent Consultant
Pheroze Nowrojee Lawyer and Human Rights Activist
Karuti Kanyinga Senior Fellow, Institute for Development Studies, University of Nairobi
Moderator: Joel Barkan Senior associate, CSIS
12:15-12:30 p.m. Lunch Served
12:30-2:00 p.m. Lunchtime Discussion: U.S.-Kenya Relations
Michelle Gavin Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council
Moderator: Jennifer Cooke Director, Africa Program, CSIS
The lunchtime speaker will lead a discussion on the role of the United States in supporting Kenya’s constitutional reform process. How does the passing of the constitution set the course for Kenya-U.S. relations in the years ahead?
