Nairobi, 27th May, 2010 - Kenya’s Private sector has been asked to strive and be at the forefront of mirroring the country’s ethnic diversity in its employment.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairman, Dr Mzalendo Kibunja expressed his organisation’s commitment to working with the private sector towards building a cohesive and harmonious country.
“”It is important for everyone to realise that national cohesion is for all Kenyans because if Kenya burns, then the private sector will not be spared, it will also burn,” said Kibunja, who was addressing a Government Score-card on Agenda 4 and National Cohesion business leaders Forum that was organised by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) and supported by the Business Advocacy Fund.
He warned that NCIC will soon start publishing the names of those perpetuating undermined or contributed towards undermining good ethnic relations, or who are involved in ethnic discrimination in the countries leading newspapers “We are planning to start publishing the names of those going against the grain of the nation in terms of spreading tribal animosity. Our ultimate goal as a Commission is to make Kenya a harmonious and united society.”
Speaking during the Forum, South Consultant’s Senior Researcher Mr. Joshua Kivuva expressed regret that threats against potential witnesses in Post Election Violence cases are on increase yet no action is being taken against those involved.
“The absence of a government-led witness protection programme is disillusioning witnesses a lot. There are even reports of some people manipulating witnesses.
This explains why there is a lot of support for prosecution through International Criminal Court (ICC),” said Kivuva.
He noted that the Government’s performance rating on Internally Displaced Persons had greatly improved – from 43 per cent in 2008 to 51 per cent 2010. “There is some improvement in how communities are getting along with others. In 2008 23 per cent reported they had difficulties getting along with others; while only 12 per cent reported this difficulty in February 2010,” he stated, adding that discrimination on the basis of ethnicity is declining.
Kivuva said the Government had made marked improvements with regard to the protection of the rights of the media; giving IDP’s financial support; and respecting human rights. He however noted that Kenyans are still unhappy with the high rates of corruption and the unending political conflicts in the country.
He further said that passing of the Constitution would be a major plus for the Government.
Kibunja warned the local vernacular radio stations against promulgating hate speech which would lead the country back to where it was after the 2007 elections. “We will not allow media stations to continue profiteering from spewing hate speech.”
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