The turmoil within the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission seems to have prompted Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo to push for its scrapping altogether.

That would be counter-productive. Continuing pressure for the ouster of chairman Bethuel Kiplagat and internal divisions that led to the resignation of former vice-chair Betty Murungi are all factors that have greatly compromised the role of the TJRC.

The public might, indeed, be seeing a tainted body that cannot be entrusted to fulfil its mandate. But still, it is evident that calls for disbandment of the TJRC may be dishonest and self-serving.

There may be good reason why Mr Kiplagat should leave; but that must not open a window to those who all along were targeting the institution and its mandate rather than an individual deemed unsuitable.

Part of the campaign against the TJRC has been driven by activist groups disappointed that they did not get to control the process.

From the other side of the spectrum are those who, because of their proximity to past crimes, were deeply uncomfortable with the establishment of such an organ in the first place. They would rather it never existed because they could be called to account.

Mr Kiplagat has enjoyed strong support from the Justice minister, but his position has become untenable and it is only fair to the TJRC and to Kenyans that he bows out.

That will open the way for the TJRC to re-start on a clean slate, rather than provide an opportunity for those who want to ensure the process aborts.

We must not forget that a truth, justice and reconciliation mechanism is a key plank of the process established to bring the country back to normalcy and establish lasting peace, stability, harmony and security after the violent breakdown following the 2007 elections.

We will not embark on national healing and reconciliation unless we take that cathartic route.