HUMANITARIAN AND DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS IN KENYA REVIEW PREPARATIONS AHEAD OF REFERENDUM

Nairobi, Kenya: 21 July 2010: Humanitarian and development partners met today to review measures put in place to ensure a successful outcome of the national referendum on the proposed new constitution, which takes place on 4 August.

The partners' dialogue underscored the fact that regardless of the referendum's outcome, priority must be given to ensure peace and tranquility is maintained across the country.

The Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Kenya, Mr. Aeneas Chuma, commended the work already undertaken to develop preparedness plans and strengthen coordination among partners on the ground. "Working in partnership with the Government of Kenya, United Nations agencies, civil society and other national and international organizations, including the Kenya Red Cross, we have developed a harmonized action plan aimed at maximizing existing capacities and minimizing gaps in response for the pre- and post-referendum scenario."

The Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross, and the Head of Office for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Kenya, Ms. Jeanine Cooper, used the occasion to present the coordination mechanisms and operational roles, functions and responsibilities detailed in the inter-agency preparedness plan. The Kenya Red Cross is the designated lead agency. Together with the Government, it will co-lead operational coordination in the field. With OCHA's support, the Humanitarian Coordinator will coordinate international humanitarian support and be the main liaison to the national response.

In response to concerns over possible violence triggered by hate speech, humanitarian partners assured the meeting that adequate structures have been put in place to ensure the atmosphere remains calm and peaceful leading up to and immediately after the referendum, while at the same time maintaining operational neutrality.

The Uwiano Platform for Peace - a joint initiative of the Government and civil society - has supported the establishment of peace committees in districts identified as potential hot spots ahead of the referendum. Mr. Dickson Magotsi from the National Steering Committee of Peace Building and Conflict Management talked of the conflict-prevention strategy, which includes deployment of "peace brigades" as focal points to monitor and share information as the situation unfolds on the ground. Mr. Magotsi added: "As the referendum campaigns come to an end on 2 August, peace rallies and a night vigil will be held to continue to spread the message of peace using the slogan 'Choose Kenya, Choose Peace'."

Peaceful campaigns are encouraged to continue to avert polarization of the country. The humanitarian and development partners have pledged their support for the Government's leadership in the referendum period to ensure a stable, peaceful and cohesive country.

For further information, please call: OCHA Nairobi: Jeanine Cooper: +254 722 720 944, cooper1@un.org; Luluwa Ali: +254 727 532144, ali19@un.org; Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1917 892 1679, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile +41 79 473 4570, byrs@un.org.

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.

For more information about CERF, please see http://cerf.un.org