Uhuru sets out to revive Africa Peer Review Mechanism

President Uhuru Kenyatta. He has launched a push to revive the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE  

By GERALD ANDAE, gandae@ke.nationmedia.com

In Summary

• The Head of State took over the leadership of the APRM last year, calling for the special summit to renew Africa’s commitment to the review system.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday launched a push to integrate the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) into the African Union (AU) system, citing its importance and need to contribute the cash required to meet its ambitious plans.

Mr Kenyatta, who is the chairperson of APRM, told fellow leaders that it was imperative that they meet their budgetary obligations to ensure that the APRM is more effective and delivered on its mandate of improving governance in the region.

He made the remarks as he opened a special summit of the committee of Heads of State and Government participating in the APRM, calling for its strengthening and linkage with regional economic blocs and NEPAD programmes.

He said the mechanism would become more relevant when linked to the implementation of frameworks such as the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030.

“We must hasten the integration of the APRM in the African Union system. This will make the mechanism more credible, relevant, and visible at the continental stage and will give impetus to our revitalisation efforts,” said Mr Kenyatta.

The Head of State, who took over the leadership of the APRM last year, called for the special summit to renew Africa’s commitment to the review system for better governance.

So far, 37 countries have acceded to the system - out of which 17 have been reviewed with Djibouti, Zambia and Tanzania being the latest countries to go through the review.

“The reviews have been key in helping us identify areas that require improvement to create enabling environment to pursue our development agenda. It is my hope and expectation that the remaining countries will expedite the process of initiating reviews,” he added.

Mr Kenyatta, who is in Addis Ababa for the AU summit, urged the leaders to own the process by making financial contributions so that the APRM can achieve its full potential.

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