STATEMENT FROM AU PANEL OF EMINENT AFRICAN PERSONALITIES
7 December 2009, Nairobi ‐ The Chairman of the AU Panel of Eminent African Personalities, H.E. Kofi
Annan, and fellow Panel member Graça Machel have concluded the first day of a two‐day
programme of meetings in Nairobi.
Mr Annan and Mrs Machel are visiting Nairobi to review recent developments in Kenya and to assess
the status of the implementation of the agreements reached during the Kenya National Dialogue
and Reconciliation (KNDR).
In the morning, Mr Annan and Mrs Machel met President Mwai Kibaki at his office at Harambee
House. During the afternoon, Mr Annan and Mrs Machel held a series of meetings at the Serena
Hotel with members of the Committee of Experts, the Donor Coordination Group, the Truth, Justice
and Reconciliation Commission, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, and
representatives of civil society and religious groups.
A spokesman for the Panel, Robert Watkinson, said, “Mr Annan and Mrs Machel have heard today
from a wide range of individuals and institutions involved in Kenya’s reform process. They are
encouraged by a number of positive developments in the last two months, particularly the
publication of the Harmonized Draft Constitution and the final report of the National Task Force on
Police Reforms. They also welcomed the recent adoption by the National Assembly of the sessional
paper on land reform.
“However, their meetings today have also underscored that progress in other crucial areas, including
national reconciliation and healing, is still at an early and fragile stage. Mr Annan and Mrs Machel
look forward to further meetings with the Dialogue Team and representatives of the business
community and women’s organisations.”
On Monday Mr Annan and Mrs Machel also visited the Soweto settlement in Kibera, Nairobi, to see
work that is being undertaken by the Government of Kenya and UN‐HABITAT as part of the Kenya
Slum Upgrading Programme (KENSUP).
A press conference will be held at the conclusion of the Panel’s visit, at 5.00pm on Tuesday 8
December in the Amani room at the Serena Hotel. Members of the media who would like to attend
are requested to email Beatrice Karanja (details below).
Beatrice Karanja ‐ beatrice.karanja@portlandpr.co.uk [1] / 0735 632 811
For media inquiries please contact:
Beatrice Karanja ‐ beatrice.karanja@portlandpr.co.uk [1] / 0735 632 811
Robert Watkinson – robert.watkinson@portlandpr.co.uk [2] / 0714 642 473
