In Kenya, power sharing has so far proven to be the preferred path to peace. Three years after an accord was signed paving the way for a unique political partnership, Kenya is now participating in talks in the Ivory Coast in an attempt to create a similar power sharing process for the troubled country. The irony of the situation isn’t lost on the Kenyan people, whom once feared following the same path as Ivorian politics.
During the 2007-2008 ethnic clashes in Kenya some 1,500 people died and over 600,000 were uprooted from their homes.
Andrew Harding of the BBC was quick to report on how the Kenyan media have taken the opportunity to report on the parallels between their own political stalemate and the Ivory Coast. “The Government of national unity mode is one of Kenya’s most insidious exports to the rest of Africa,” writes John Githongo in the East African, lamenting the “peace at a price” logic that has seen “a once heralded, stable and prosperous African country brought to grief and political incompetence, cynicism and corruption”.
However it is not an entirely gloomy start to 2011. In 2010 Kenya saw the highest economic growth rates for five years. Since the power sharing agreement started Kenya has seen continued growth rates, with a prediction of 5.2 for this year and a projection of double digits for 2012.
In the region of Kuria sitting along the border with Tanzania the local population certainly all have something to look forward to. Nuru international is now involved with over 2,000 farmers. Over 10,000 people are now benefiting from Nuru’s development model and its programs. Disease rates are down thanks to the improved access to clean drinking water and a result more young girls are able to attend school.
For more information on Kenya’s new constitution please read further on the BBC.