The two-day conference that was held in Nairobi this week to review progress in implementing key policy and constitutional reforms was significant.

First, it served to focus the country on the reform agenda and keep the political elite on a tight leash.

Since they signed the watershed National Accord in February 2008 to end the spiralling war of self-destruction after the disputed 2007 elections, President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga undertook to carry out far-reaching legal and policy reforms.

Whereas major milestones have been achieved, including enacting a new Constitution in August last year, major challenges remain.

Several long-term reforms have not been tackled. Victims of the post-election violence remain huddled in makeshift camps.

The Constitution itself is facing a serious assault from some leaders who see it as a threat to their very existence.

The Cabinet, for example, has initiated an amendment to change the election date as well as representation of women in the National Assembly.

Further, an MP has expressed intent to introduce Bills to outlaw the Senate and, by extension, dilute the principle of devolution, which is at the heart of the new laws.

Thus, taken collectively, there is clear indication that the political leadership wants to claw back on the gains made; hence, they must constantly be reminded about the bigger national goal.

Second, the meeting focused on next year's election and the discourse was that the country must undertake radical changes to provide a level playing field and create a process that the voters can believe.

Not only is the election complicated, but time is running out and the stakes are so high that any false step is bound to be catastrophic.

In a nutshell, the message that came out of the Third Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation meeting was that Kenya must expedite the reforms if it seeks to remain a stable and prosperous nation.