Lawyer Tina Alai blames politicians for stalling TJRC report implementation

Human rights defender Tina Alai has sharply criticized Kenya’s political leaders, accusing them of intentionally blocking the enforcement of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report in order to shield influential individuals linked to historical abuses.

"There is a complete lack of political commitment to act on the TJRC report because those responsible for past injustices, as well as their beneficiaries, remain entrenched within the nation’s leadership," Alai stated during a live interview on a local television channel on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

The TJRC was set up following the 2007/2008 post-election violence to gather accounts from thousands of Kenyans about abuses ranging from colonial-era crimes to political killings, land disputes, and entrenched discrimination.

Yet, more than ten years after the final report was submitted to the presidency in 2013, its recommendations have largely been ignored.

Alai, a long-standing champion of transitional justice and social accountability, accused successive administrations of "burying the truth" to avoid upsetting the existing power structures.

"How can justice be served when those who should be investigated are the very ones approving the national agenda?" she challenged sharply.

"It’s the ultimate conflict of interest, and it’s the Kenyan people who continue to bear the consequences," Alai said.

During the interview, she emphasized that the TJRC report holds powerful truths that, if acted upon, could bring healing and justice to thousands of victims.

However, without political commitment, she warned the report risks becoming "just another forgotten government document."

"We were present at those hearings. We listened to the survivors’ stories. We shared their pain. We pledged accountability," Alai recalled.

"Yet, a decade later, their voices still echo in the silence of government inaction."

When asked if civil society had done enough to advocate for the report’s implementation, Alai defended activists’ efforts but noted they continually face resistance from entrenched political interests.

"Civil society has raised its voice repeatedly. The people demand closure. But presenting this report to State House or Parliament is like throwing it into a fire—no one dares to touch it," she said.

In a candid moment, Alai warned of the dangers of forgetting history.

"If we fail to confront our past, we risk repeating it. The 2007 violence was no accident; it was ignited by a buildup of unresolved historical grievances—land issues, ethnic tensions, and injustice," she explained.

She also criticized the government’s fragmented approach to justice and called for the creation of an independent body free from political interference to oversee implementation.

"We cannot expect a government that fears accountability to enforce a report demanding it," she stressed. "What’s needed is a transparent, independent mechanism the public can trust."

Alai encouraged young Kenyans to read the TJRC report and learn about their country’s untold stories.

"This report belongs to all Kenyans. It’s not about revenge but about truth. Ignorance of our history dooms us to repeat it," she added.

In closing, Alai challenged President William Ruto to break away from past leaders and demonstrate moral courage.

"You have the report. You hold the power. What are you afraid of?" she asked. "True leadership means standing up for justice, not shielding the guilty."