- Kenya’s truth commission chairman, Bethuel Kiplagat, has been asked to step down on the basis of findings by two government bodies that he allegedly committed improper or illegal acts.
The 10 former heads of truth and reconciliation commissions from around the world, led by Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, said there would be a conflict of interest with his role as TJRC chairperson and put the commission’s work and reputation at risk.
“We are deeply troubled by serious allegations of bias and misconduct that have been made against Chairperson Kiplagat,” the statement from Mr Tutu’s group said.
The statement further said that the allegations about his role in the former President Arap Moi government have generated a widely held perception that he labours under an unavoidable conflict of interest and that he is unable to bring an impartial mind to bear on his important duties as TJRC Chairperson.
"To safeguard the commission’s work, we believe these international justice figures are exactly right in calling for the chairperson’s resignation," statement further said.
It further said that all commissioners must be seen to be upholding the highest standards of ethics and integrity. “They need to be seen to be scrupulously independent and objective. We are constrained to point out that Ambassador Kiplagat does not meet these essential standards,” it read.
It also stated that the truth commissions must enjoy the confidence of the public to succeed.
Since the Commission began its preliminary work early this month, it has been met by public walkouts, demanding the resignation of Mr Kiplagat.
The Civil society has sustained calls for Ambassador Kiplagat since his appointment and last week the Kenya Human Rights Commission alleged it had evidence to link him to some of the violations and gave him a seven-day ultimatum to step aside.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español