Northern Kenya is home to two million people, an 80 percent illiteracy rate, poor living conditions and health care, low rainfall, scarce water and diminishing grazing for the mainly pastorilist population. Present day circumstances are bad enough, but the people have also suffered from dehumanising acts inflicted on them first by British colonial rule and then the subsequent post-independent governments of Kenyatta and Moi. According to the organisation the Northern Forum for Democracy: "The situation prevailing in Northern Kenya is exceptional as communities have over the years suffered from gross injustices. It makes them feel that it's a conspiracy of all Kenyans against then and therefore a situation of hopelessness reigns."
Contact Khalif Abdi Farah on [email protected]
The Forum was formed by members from communities living in Northern Kenya in
1996, with the primary goal of initiating the forum to mobilize and
sensitize communities to appreciate the importance of demanding their
rights. More specifically, the area described by the Forum as Northern Kenya
is that part of the country occupied by cushitic pastoralists stretching
from Tana-River District in the South to Moyale District in the North, lying
in the Eastern part of the country. The area is inhabited by various
communities comprising the Somali, Orma, Gabra, Rendille, Burji, Boni and
Boran. These communities practice pastoralism involving the keeping of
livestock such as camels, cattle and shoats. So far the Forum has 46 members
hailing from the districts of Garissa, Tana-River, Ijara, Wajir, Marsabit
Moyale, Mandera and Isiolo.
The goal of the Northern Forum for Democracy is to support pastoralists
communities in appreciating democratic and human rights values. Their
objective is to raise awareness on these by at least 50 percent by 2008.
Specific objectives include strengthening the enhancement of women in their
role in the achievement of good governance and democratic practice; and
supporting and facilitating the training of leaders and government staff on
their role in public accountability and democratic governance.
ENDS
Author
Anonymous (not verified)
