APRM • SECOND COUNTRY REVIEW REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA 6. The APRM process consists of five interrelated stages, which are defined in the APRM Base Document. They are briefly described below. 7. Stage One is the preparatory phase, both at the level of the APRM Secretariat and at the national level. Under the direction of the APR Panel, the APR Secretariat forwards to the country to be reviewed a questionnaire covering the four focus areas of the APRM. On the basis of the questionnaire, the country conducts a self-assessment exercise, produces the report and formulates a preliminary National Programme of Action (NPOA) that builds on existing policies, programmes and projects. Both the Country Self-Assessment Report (CSAR) and the preliminary NPOA are submitted to the APRM Secretariat. During the same period, the APRM Secretariat develops a background document on the country. This is done through desk research and gathering available current and pertinent information on the governance and development status of the country in the four assessment areas. 8. Stage Two is the country review visit. Under the leadership of the APR Panel, the Country Review Team (CRT) visits the country concerned and carry out the widest possible consultations with government officials, other state institutions such as the judiciary and parliament, political parties, and representatives of civil society organisations, including the media, academia, trade unions, business and professional bodies. The main objectives are to: • Learn about the perspectives of the different stakeholders on governance and socio economic development of the country; • Clarify the issues identified in the CSAR; and • Gather recommendations on how these could be addressed. 9. It is instructive to note that the country mainly plays a facilitating role during the review visit, ensuring that the CRT is able to carry out its review smoothly. The CRT is given full access to all sources of information and stakeholders, as provided for in the MOU for Technical Assessment and the Country Review Visit signed by the country and the APRM. 10. Stage Three involves the drafting of the Country Review Report (CRR). It is informed by the CSAR and preliminary NPOA, Background papers prepared by the Secretariat, as well as information made available to the CRT during the country consultations with stakeholders. The draft report: 11. • Considers the applicable political, economic and corporate governance and socio economic development commitments made in the preliminary NPOA; • Identifies any remaining weaknesses; and • Recommends further actions to be included in the final NPOA. The draft report is first discussed with the government under review to ensure the accuracy of the information. The government is given an opportunity to react to the findings and | 56 |