Friday, February 01, 2008
UN speaks on Kenya as its boss expected
The United Nations Security Council could get involved in the post-election crisis engulfing the country. This emerged as international pressure for a quick settlement continued piling, with UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-Moon — who is expected in Nairobi on Friday — warning of impending catastrophe. On Wednesday, the Security Council condemned the violence in the country and has given full support to the mediation efforts led by former UN Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan.
Reuters quoted Britain’s UN Ambassador, Mr John Sawers, saying the fact that the Security Council had taken up the issue showed how serious the situation had become and that it could be more deeply involved if the violence worsened. At the same time, indications have emerged that international leaders might isolate allies of the Kibaki Government to force them to resolve the crisis. Australia said it would limit contact with Cabinet ministers. Canada has also said that with the absence of progress in resolving the crisis, “it will be very difficult to contemplate the maintenance of prior methods of direct government-to-government cooperation”.
Civil society groups push for AU’s intervention
It took the intervention of the civil society and other groups to have the Kenyan post-poll crisis on the agenda of the African Union (AU) council of ministers and Heads of States meetings. The groups had to use their connections lobbying with various embassies, including Senegal’s and Mali’s, to persuade the 53-nation Union to discuss the unprecedented crisis.
Kenya excluded from AU council
Kenya has been excluded from a new Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union. Kenya has traditionally championed peace and security matters in the continent, but was not elected to the prestigious council. The country was earlier expected to lead the council in its formative stages because of its record in peace missions in Sierra Leone, Yugoslavia and East Timor. The Standard could not independently confirm if Kenya had been proposed for a slot on the council.
Shocked leaders cry out for protection
MPs abandoned a peace meeting at Parliament Buildings following the killing of Ainamoi MP, David Kimutai Too.
There was confusion in Parliament as MPs walked out of the meeting shouting. Bureti MP, Mr Franklin Bett, said: “How many more are police and thugs going to kill? We are not going to allow this lawless state of affairs.” Bett said the Amani Forum of Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group suspended its meeting over post-election violence following the MP’s death.
MP family denies Ali’s love theory
Chaos reigned in Kericho town on Thursday as Ainamoi constituents mourned their MP, Mr David Kimutai Too. Protesting youths burned oil tankers and houses. The MP’s family denied Too was a victim of a love triangle. A family spokesman, Mr Julius Langat, said the MP flew to Eldoret from Nairobi as he could not drive straight to Kericho due to the ongoing post-election violence. He said a policewoman who was with him, Eunice Chepkwony, was his neighbour.
Resolution Calling for a peaceful resolution to the current electoral crisis in Kenya.
Whereas on December 27, 2007, Kenyan citizens went peacefully to the polls to elect a new parliament and a new President and signaled their commitment to democracy by turning out in large numbers, and in some instances waiting in long lines to vote;
Whereas election observers reported serious irregularities and a lack of transparency that, combined with the implausibility of the margin of victory, and the swearing in of the Party of National Unity presidential candidate Mwai Kibaki with undue haste, all serve to undermine the credibility of the presidential election results;
Solidarity Statement in Support of the Kenyan People
As members of the International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net), we send our deepest expression of solidarity to the Kenyan people in these troubling times. We denounce the violence that has erupted across the country following a questionable election process, and express our sincere sympathy to all those who have suffered and continue to suffer from the unfortunate consequences of these hostilities, especially the most vulnerable who bear the brunt of the aggressions. We are shocked by the large numbers of people displaced from their homes and lands, many of whom have endured gender-based violence and lost access to basic hospital care, medicines, and food supplies.