SQL/DB Error -- [Unknown table engine 'InnoDB']

afrol News, 25 February - 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.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Tweet

Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now

UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington. Read more

Central African Republic

Central African Republic falling apart afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians. Read more

Kenya

Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts. Read more

Cape Verde Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa. Read more

Egypt Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old. Read more