We would like to draw your attention on our charity party “Kenya Nchi Yetu” which is taking place on Saturday, 1st of March, 8pm, in Krefeld/Germany.

We are raising money to provide food and education for children who are the innocent victims of the violent clashes (no matter which tribe). More info on http://www.badilika.org in English and German.

Badilika is a small, effectively working non-profit association run by Kenyans and Germans. The organisation is based in Germany supporting various educational projects in Kenya.

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=39&newsid=117758

Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 2/27/2008
Professionals, traders and politicians from central Kenya contribute money to protect their community in case of confrontation if Annan-led talks flop while elders secretly gather, arm and reinforce thousands of young warriors in remote parts of Rift Valley in preparation for war, NATION investigations reveal

The sense of political engagement relevant to Tavia’s comment is partisan political engagement. Since the trust necessary for respectful argument is now lost; partisan politics is now extremely unwelcome: I think Gabriel Okelo is depraved, ODMers of my acquaintance (example) tend not to. I do not wish to have to choose between my argument and their friendship.

It is so plain and in sight what needs to be done,: The middle working class has the power to change kenya, and in a far better way. Why and how?

While the very low class ( who have nothing to loose, and thus may not think twice in venting their anger on property that they do not own-to be expected, really), the middle class has everything to lose. It is to their interest to change the system for the better. They do not even have to attend a rally. They only need to stay home to send a message of unhappiness. Of course i do not expect professionals from Central kenya to particiapte in such an action, for obvious reasons. And of course, some people could lose their jobs.

But are the middle class going to do this?. Nope. We forget that those having good working systems all over had to fight for those systems. (E.G. virtually all the american founding fathers , who were wealthy men, lost ALL their properties) Nothing good comes easy.

The super high class, have little to lose. They have covered their asses; they just need to fly away if things do not work out . (apparently, i hear that before the elections a good # of biz people and traders had moved and camped in Namanga, just in case)

Now, help if you can, BUT if we emphase humanitarian ways of helping, we will end up forgeting the problem at hand, and you end up advocating/assisting people apply band aid to fatal wounds. In a way, you are applying anaethesia to a dying patient. But is that what we really need to do? I think not.

By doings lots of that, you are helping Kenya become a charity shop for celebrities in America who need to feel good about themselves and therefore seek an African child to adopt.

Have you ever to found the kind of dirt we put out there about our Kenya on countries like USA, UK, Canada? One of your blog readers even once posted dead babies at Kenyan mortuaries!! When an event happens in the states even Sept 11 did you ever see even one dead body? Even the days of civil rights most gruesome killings we hear about brutal attacks have you ever seen one dead American exposed Kenyan style- the way we even do it on national TV during supper time. (unless it’s on Hollywood film) It is no wonder my friends, workmates and colleagues abroad have not depth of interest in my country. We are all savages- we expose ourselves to the west thinking they care. We use blogs like yours thinking its the wave of the future but we have visualized what the west is doing - gone on and even overshot them in so called use of technology (that they channel to us) and use it to destroy ourselves. I am still waiting to see the big round fat bellies of USA children who are hungry the kind we see on world vision of poor 3rd world kids yet- we give more money to feed these hungry kids of USA- even without seeing them. So what are you really doing on this blog? good or evil? And who really cares?

Open Letter to H.E. Hon. Mwai Kibaki, The Party of National Unity and Hon. Raila Odinga, The Orange Democratic Movement

February 27, 2008

Dear Your Excellencies,

THE TIME FOR COMPROMISE AND CLOSURE IS NOW: KENYA CONTINUES TO BLEED FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP

We the undersigned, collectively representing thousands of Kenyan CSOs in this country, jointly call on your leadership to act now to resolve the constitutional, political, social and economic crisis currently facing our beloved Kenya. This is the first time we have come together to speak with one voice. We support and encourage the Mediation Team to continue pressing for a decision. We agree completely with the Chief Mediator H.E. Kofi Annan his team of Eminent of Persons that the talks cannot be resolved at the level of the PNU and ODM negotiating teams alone. Valuable days have been lost in concluding the fourth agreement. The failure of the negotiating teams to find an acceptable compromise places Kenya back on the brink of disaster. Your direct involvement in the talks is now a necessity.

We call on Kenyans to rise above the failure of the negotiating teams and exercise restraint, shun violence and maintain the spirit of co-existence that has slowly crept back into most of our lives. Despite the worrying evidence of militarization and the presence of militias in many of our urban settlements and rural villages, we believe that Kenyans on the whole are desperate for peace and stability. In this regard, you must support Kenyans who are calling for peace and justice by issuing a collective statement that urges calm to your supporters and censors the organisation and arming of militia by all.

We inform you that we will continue to monitor and hold you both personally and collectively accountable with your parties responsible for the successful completion of the mediation process and its implementation including that of February 1, 4 and 15th agreements. These include the following;

1. The disbanding and demobilisation of all illegal armed and militia groups (February 1)

2. The holding of joint rallies to promote peace and tranquillity (February 1)

3. The impartial, effective and expeditious investigation into all cases of crime and police brutality and use of excessive force (February 1)

4. Maximum protection and assistance for internally displaced persons and especially women, to return to their homes and places of work (February 4)

5. The establishment of a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission with the participation of international jurists among others. (February 4)

6. The establishment of an Independent Review Commission to investigate all aspects of the 2007 Elections (February 15)

For the moment, the capacity to bring this crisis to an end lies in your hands. Should you also fail to act decisively, you will both betray the remaining national space to bring Kenya back from the brink once more. As the clock ticks, Kenyans will slip into greater despair, anger and violence. In this scenario, your capacity to provide leadership is less clear. The time to compromise and find a solution is now.

Yours sincerely,

National Civil Society Congress
Concerned Citizens for Peace
Kenya National Council of NGOs

Peace and Development Network
Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice Coalition
Women’s coalition

c.c. H.E. President Jakaya Kikwete, Chairperson of the African Union

H.E. Kofi Annan, Leader and Chief Negotiator of the Kenya Mediation and Dialogue Team including Eminent Persons H.E. Benjamin Mkapa and H.E. Graca Machel

The Kenyan public

This is precisely why we are in this position because we have over the years tolerated the likes of Kibaki and ilk, Raila and his ilk and reduced our pool of leadership to power hungry and blood sucking individuals whose currently as we speak try to validate their power hungry stances by sacrificing our lives am saying when will this nonsense stop.

What does Kibaki have to lose , why does he want his mighty reign that is already tarnished with disgraceful wife and arrogant staff to be the demise of our nation? How many must die while he fiddles around with “constitutional technicalities” who is he kidding wasn’t the MOU part of his grand ol plan when he got into power they dutiful sunked it up so why should people trust him now? I believe he lost this election and it has cost not one but 1500 lives not to mention the kind of tribal bigotry that is now wrought in our country. Who thought a day will come when a man named Kimani would be quarantined to Central province only? Who thought a day will come when little Achieng and Kieni best friends now can’t even play together? This is the result of selfish, arrogant, blood sucking individuals that have crippled this country with their vile corruption, murderous intentions and disregard for the livelihood of that Kenyan whose backs they ride on.
Am sick of this peace crap if it will take a battle to bring back peace so let it come and from then on let the country rise to new awakenings am sick of people like Raila and Kibaki to the point that am thinking this is a huge waste of time.
Am amazed that people like Wangari Maathai are being shunned at a time when this nation needs her the most.

Myself I would have loved to see this situation resolved, by Kenyans themselves, but guess what if it is going to take Western muscle fo freeze up those resources that have left Kenyan bankrupt and send home the familiies of those in power who think because their families are wallowing in lap of luxury abraod so my life, your life doesn’t mean anything then let it come. That way when the end comes we shall face it together. Then maybe, just maybe out of t his rubble true leaders will emerge.
How dare they cry “western countries interference” , how worse do they treat their own kind?

They will be no charity if we don’t fix the home.
Am ready and willing to do the work am fed up.

AS to power hungry, thats what politicians are otherwise why would you use so much money and efforts for that cause.

But Annan was using the Big Stick Theory which i think stopped having an effect on them.