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Truth, justice and reconciliation

Professor Ron Slye seeks justice on Kenyan Commission

I was looking for a challenge. I am tenured and had been at Seattle University for a dozen years (by far the longest I had ever been in the same job; the record previously had been a quarter of that amount). I enjoyed teaching, and had been able to pursue my international interests with the support of the law school and the university. I was beginning to fear, however, that the pleasant rhythm of the academic year was lulling me into complacency. I was ready for a challenge, and I certainly got one.

I spent the last three years serving on the Kenyan Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. Our work was at times emotionally draining and politically charged, but it was also groundbreaking, and, I hope, will be healing for the thousands who have suffered unspeakable horror and incredible loss.

The first inkling of the opportunity arrived in the form of an email that I received through Facebook. The email was from a woman I did not know (she was not a friend or acquaintance in the real sense, nor was she a friend in the Facebook sense). She introduced herself as working for Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary General, in Nairobi. She informed me that Kenya was in the process of establishing a truth and reconciliation commission, and wondered if I would be interested in being considered for one of the three international commissioners. If so, I should send to her my CV. Without much thought, I promptly did so.

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