Thursday, January 10, 2008
Fundraising concert
The Reach Out concert will be a fund raising effort through which, with your help we can achieve several objectives: 1) Help those displaced and affected by the election violence. 2) All gate proceeds from the show will be donated to the International Red Cross and Pamoja Youth Foundation to aid in the support of displaced persons due to election skirmishes in Nairobi . 3) To provide a platform where local artistes and participants can join hands in a single united effort to show the world that Kenya is united and peaceful regardless of ethnicity or political influences. 4) To provide an avenue for Kenyans to contribute to the ongoing relief efforts by:-direct donation to the International Red Cross, who will be on-site-donate blood through the Blood donor Service of Kenya 5) To regain a sense of normalcy where our city will regain it’s vibrancy. Please forward this mail to more people so they too can join hands and Reach Out to help our brothers and sisters in need. KENYA NI YETU!
Leaked memo deepens Kenya crisis
A confidential memo from the World Bank’s Kenya office that supports President Mwai Kibaki’s claim of victory in the country’s disputed elections plunged the Washington-based lender into controversy on Wednesday.The leaked January 1 briefing note, originating from Colin Bruce, the World Bank’s country director in Nairobi, lays out the case for accepting Mr Kibaki’s victory on the basis of “oral briefings and documents from senior [United Nations Development Programme] officials” who “monitored the overall electoral process”. The memo claims that “the considered view of the UN is that the Electoral Commission of Kenya announcement of a Kibaki win is correct”. However, Michele Montas, a spokeswoman for the UN secretary-general, denied that the UN had adopted that position. UNDP officials said they had neither monitored the elections nor provided any assessment suggesting a Kibaki victory.
http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/01/11/leaked-memo-deepens-kenya-crisis/
Outcome of mediation talks
“Finally, the much-anticipated mediation to end the political stalemate after the December polls started in Nairobi Wednesday under the chairmanship of President John Kufuor of Ghana. ... On one end, Mr Kibaki wants the rival group to recognise his presidency and government; help to stem the wave of violence; and agree to a meeting he had convened for tomorrow. For a good measure, President Kibaki team would only accede to a coalition with a position of non-executive powers going to ODM.... The Odinga camp, however, wants Mr Kibaki to accept that he is in office illegally; agree for vote recount; and ultimately a re-run of the presidential contest. Outside that, they can join a coalition government on the condition that they have a prime minister’s position with executive powers.”
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/
Government accuses Odinga of genocide
The Kenya government accuses Raila Odinga of Genocide and Ethnic cleansing
During Hardtalk program in the BBC, Kenya’s Justice and Constitutional Minister Martha Karua charged that Raila Odinga, the man who ran for presidency and lost to President Mwai Kibaki is to blame for genocide and ethnic cleansing that occurred in Kenya immediately after the barely two weeks old elections. While attacking the international community for keeping quiet she ran short of calling for Raila and ODM leaders arrest on genocide and ethnic cleansing.
http://wwww.africanpress.com
Kenya wildlife eat victims of violence
Kenya’s world-famous carnivorous wildlife—big cats and scavenger mammals and birds—may have made off with and devoured the bodies of human victims of recent post-election violence, the Kenyan Red Cross said on Thursday.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/&articleid=329280
ECK Releases Results of Presidential Election
The Electoral Commission has released the presidential results of the disputed December 27 General Election. ECK chairman Samuel Kivuitu said he released the results to comply with the law.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/
Safaricom losses in election
Safaricom Limited suffered a Sh400 million loss in revenue as a result of violence which followed the General Election results. The mobile phone service provider joins the long list of firms that have lost money in the last one and a half weeks due to the violence.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/
Citizens Agenda for Political Dialogue
Initiated to promote dialogue and a comprehensive approach to building peace, justice and truth by the following organizations: Concerned Citizens for Peace. Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Concerned Kenyan Writers, Peace and Development Network - Kenya, Maendeleo ya Wanawake representing Partners for Peace, Federation of Kenyan Employers, The Global Call to Action Against Poverty, The Kenya Association of Manufacturers among others.
Background_Paper_for_the_Citizen_Agenda_January_9.pdf
Citizens_Agenda_post_2007_Elections_in_Kenya_Final_9_Jan.pdf
Kenya towards political instability: what is the way out?
“… the ethnic chauvinists in ODM and PNU are blinded by short term interests and selfish values to see them in context. Unfortunately no amount of debate would convince chauvinists and those who promote ethnic bigotry to change their positions. They change their positions when their self interests and short term needs are grossly affected. With the deepening of the civil conflict, it is possible that it will hurt them where it matters most so that they can stop imprisoning their patrons. No amount of ethnic bigotry and chest thumping will bill the country out of the current problem,” writes Karuti Kanyinga.
MoreWorld YWCA and Kenya YWCA issue Action alert
Violence erupted in Kenya after results of the December 27 election were announced and the opposition claim the election was rigged in favour of the incumbent Mwai Kibaki. Houses were set ablaze, people killed and business looted for several days following the announcement of the disputed election results. Nearly 500 people have died and 250,000 people are displaced as they flee violence and search for safety. Amidst the violence women have been systematically raped and abused. The World YWCA is calling on member associations, civil society, partners and donors to take the following action to alleviate the suffering in Kenya: Donate and support ongoing efforts Advocate for women’s inclusion in peace building Say ‘No’ to impunity for rape and abuse of women Dedicate a prayer session to Kenya.
Post-Election Violence in Kenya Affects Women: WEDO Calls for Urgent Action
Kenya’s recent elections have resulted in 13 new parliamentary seats won by women candidates so far. But although this should be a time for celebration for women of Kenya and the world, the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki has devastated the country. Violence has swept through Kenya, long considered the most stable country in Africa, since opposition leaders disputed the election outcomes. Women in particular have been targeted: raped, tortured and forced into ‘house arrest’. The Women’s Environment and Development Organization urges human rights organizations and individuals, women leaders and activists, to join in the Call for Action for peace and reconciliation in Kenya.
Flames in Kenya: Bill Fletcher
“The violence in Kenya speaks less about the Kenyan people and more about into what any people in the face of despair, brought on by the loss of control of their lives and their loss of hope, can devolve. The violence also speaks to why Kenya, along with the rest of the African continent, must with all deliberate speed, find a different path to development, since the path laid out by Washington, the IMF, et. al., is not a path into a garden but a path into a minefield.”
http://www.blackcommentator.com/259/259_cover_african_world_flames_in_kenya.html
Kibaki government activated Mungiki -says Kiai
Kenya’s embattled government has activated a murderous criminal gang to protect its supporters during a bloody confrontation over disputed elections, a leading human rights activist said on Wednesday. Maina Kiai, head of the government-funded National Commission on Human Rights, said the Mungiki, an ethnic Kikuyu gang notorious for beheading its victims, had returned.
http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL09697986.html
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Raila capitualtes to power share with coup leader?
The government of Kenya and the Orange Democratic Movement have agreed on a power sharing deal and the possibility of creating the post of prime minister. They, however, differed on whether the holder should be given executive or ceremonial roles.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801090948.html?
A sobering moment for Kenya
An appeal from the Kenyan Diaspora in Sweden condemning the rigging of the election and the violence and bloodletting that has been allowed to take place as the giants wrestle for power. The appeal argues that dialogue is the road that will show the world that with political will, wrongs and conflicts can be solved, and asks the two leaders to find a solution and avert the violence. The nation should come first before individual ambition for power.
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