Transitional Justice is an important part of establishing peace, stability, and the rule of law in post-conflict states. It is a major issue affecting Kenya, especially with regards to the 2007 post-election violence, and many of the other African nations, especially those in East Africa. Central to the concept of Transitional Justice is the principle of taking a victim-centred approach in all matters. This places those who suffered human rights violations at the heart of all transitional justice-based activities. The major transitional justice mechanisms seek to uncover the truth, prosecute those who perpetrated the violations, provide redress for the victims (in the form of reparations, including compensation, rehabilitation, and memorialization), and prevent the recurrence of similar violations through broad institutional reforms.
ICJ Kenya is at the forefront in East Africa with regards to promoting transitional justice initiatives in the region. ICJ Kenya has a robust involvement in the institutional reforms going on in Kenya, especially with Judicial and Electoral reforms. ICJ Kenya is one of the organizations involved in the Kenya Transitional Justice Network and works in partnership with many organizations on Transitional Justice initiatives on issues that include reparations, Special Tribunals, and other matters surrounding reconciliation. ICJ Kenya was heavily involved in the advocacy for a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to address victims’ rights in Kenya, which was enacted in 2008. ICJ continues to be involved in the TJRC process by way of monitoring of the public hearings in various regions around the country. In addition, ICJ Kenya continues to be a leader in advocating and educating on issues surrounding the prosecution of perpetrators of the 2007 post-election violence, especially with regards to matters surrounding the International Criminal Court, and the case currently before that court.
The objective of the Transitional Justice projects undertaken by ICJ Kenya is to advocate for the realization and utility of the various available transitional justice mechanisms through a victim centered approach.