Breaking News: Kenya-Stockholmer Philip Owili Ongaro is Dead
Kenya-Stockholmer Mr. Philip Owili Ongaro is dead. According to sources which confirmed the sad departure of Mr. Owili, he was found dead in his flat today in the morning by his brother who had just returned from safari.
Mr. Owili’s family in Stockholm has been alerted about the news while the body has been moved to Karolinska Hospital. The cause of death could not be established immediately.
The death of Mr. Owili is extremely shocking, coming at a time when Kenyans are preparing for a Memorial service of Mr. Fanuel Okoth who passed away last week. KSB has spoken to Mrs Owili’s wife, Jane and passed condolences to the entire family which has entered into great shock and sorrow.
KSB has been in contact with Mr. Owili on several occasions, the last contact having been last month. The departed Kenyan was a great story teller and spoke the truth about our country, Kenya. He liked discussing African and Luo culture at every opportunity.
Apart from the family who will miss him greatly, he will also be missed by Kenyans who knew him as a steadfast person who was very concerned with the future of Kenya. Further information will be circulated as it becomes available.
Okoth Osewe
Raila Picture Harvests 11
Pictures: Keegan Kagwe
Letters Fron Shiku
The Fear of Calling Home Without Money
30th Oct marked an exceptional event for many slums women. This is the day they voice their unheard predicaments. Converged at an open field in Kibera, women from various slums represented their fellow women in large numbers. This forum is an initiative of a humble 25 year-old woman – Jane Anyango Agar, who is so dedicated in creating space for the slum woman in society.
Jane, like many slum women, left the village to look for greener pastures. Her first landing was at her auntie’s place in Kibera. This is not the city she had heard so much about. There was no electricity, no toilets, no water and no food. “I slept stomach-empty most of the time. The nights were cold and days started unpromisingly. Each day passed with a drop of my hope to excel in life. I felt wretched.” She recounted poignantly.
Jane says village life was far much better. But she couldn’t dare return empty handed. “When you board a dream bus to the city, the aim is to make money and a lot of it in the shortest time possible and assist those you left behind”, says Jane, amidst chuckles.
There is a lot of expectation from society too. That’s why most people prefer to suffer in silence and disconnect communication from their close families. “I didn’t communicate with my parents for nearly 3 years and the thought of calling just to say hello sickened me. I knew their first request would be money which had proved to be chicken milk to me.” She reveals.
City life exposed Jane to more pain as she shared a one – roomed mabati house with her aunt, uncle and four of her cousins. They were lucky to have an extra small cube-like kitchen. “Privacy in our house was costly; we had to stay out for hours to give auntie time with uncle”, Reveals Jane.
“Weekends were worse” she adds “I loathed the thought of it. Both auntie and uncle weren’t working. After church on Saturday, they spent the whole day resting. Then, we joined other children in a play ground. Some played, some acted while others just sat and watched. I opted to form a group of girls of my age to share and sort out our issues. Through this, I realized we had a lot in common. I loathed not weekends any more. I looked forward to our “Kamukunji” days with enthusiasm and anticipation”
Their long whining hours and days of apprehension produced new vigor and anticipation. “We realized that no one apart from ourselves will come from the so called class environs to better our life”, says Jane.
To succeed in life, they had to change their attitude and way of thinking. She says the greatest mistake they made was to accept what others thought about them – that a slum woman is illiterate and idle, indolent and messy. “Most people treat slum women with contempt and believe that they are top pick pocketers thus treat them with the same attitude’’ laments Jane.
“Supermarket IDPs”
Jane, together with her friends, came out in 2004, strong and willing to speak out for the slum woman. They formed POLYCOM development project. The effort and strong will to change slum women would be fruitless without converting other slum women to join the Forum. They moved from slum to slum advocating change of attitude.
This move gave all the slum dwellers a strong Forum through which they could speak with one voice to the effect that a slum woman should be empowered to cater for her own needs individually. All they want is information and inspiration.
The slum women of Kibera meet under a tree every Thursday. The Forum is attended by women from all ages, young and old. They share latest `wamama’ news, discuss women issues and invite Councilors and area leaders to give advice. They do not leave their daughters behind as they advocate for change. They have GIRLS SPEAK OUT FORUMS. This Forum has helped a lot of girls to say NO to negative things in their lives.
Kiamaiko slum has an interesting institution – Bunge la Wamama (Women’s Parliament). Theirs is a real bunge (Parliament), where they conduct all their activities and debates “bunge style”. Started a year ago by four women, the Women’s bunge has over one thousand members.
“Our vision is to have the biggest Movement ever in Kenya and thus talk with one voice”, says Mumbi, the group’s Co-coordinator. She adds, “Tumekanyangiwa siku mob sana, saa ni time yetu, tume elevuka, eti tu-me…” (We have been oppressed for a very long time and this time it’s our turn) as the rest shout in chorus “E-LE-VU-KA!” passionately.
When the chief guest stood to speak, she attacked fellow women because they urged their daughters to harden to harsh treatments from their husbands in the name of culture. In making her point, the guest mimicked the women thus: “Mwanangu, rudi, kwa bwana, mwanamke nikuvumilia, ata mimi nilipitia hayo hayo’’ (My child, return to your husband. A woman must be tolerant. I went through the same treatment).
Jane is such an amazing leader. She says that very few people who have interest in Kibera slums are genuine. Most have individual interests. “How many movies have been shot from Kibera?” She asked rhetorically. They follow us even to the IDP camps. A German crew invaded a camp near Eldoret, they were “kind” enough to camp and eat with them. To add to their generosity, they paid them to be filmed. Each kid was paid Ksh.2000 and adults Ksh.3000. But they never explained that they were filming to sell their pictures to the world. “As a result, the world laughs at us. Some even think this is Africa’s life style”, she says.
Silence Kills Family Members
Locals are not angels either. They get donations in the name of changing slums. They come and dish out 200 bob to women and steal the rest of the money. These handouts have changed women, men and children in the slums. It became very hard to call for “A pass information” Forum. In such cases, the first question is not an enquiry about the agenda but a loud question about the take. IDPs had also adapted this style to an extent of creating “supermarket IDPs”. These, she says, are on-and-off IDPs. They only rush to camp when they sight a lorry of goodies.
Jane says her message to fellow slum women and even men is for them to come out in large numbers and work hard in creating change. Sadly, she says, men and young boys are always used by politicians only when it suits them.
Because of commercialization of almost everything and fear that relatives are always after money, no one will ever feel comfortable phoning family members back home. “When I revealed the reason for my non-communication to my family, they were stunned. My silence killed them softly. They needed me, not my money. I felt guilty but that is history. I can only tell anyone who feels stuck to never shun parents.” she concluded her narration.
As she recounts this, my mind flashed three years back. I sat down with a dude who had come to Stockholm through Denmark. “This is not the ulaya (Europe) I thought and dreamt of. I have suffered a great deal. I just wish I can just gather enough guts to return home’’ he laments. By then, he was hosted by a fellow Kenyan whom, he claimed, was getting fatigued.
This is a dilemma faced by many city and Diaspora dwellers. Every one looks upon to them like a tree dripping with honey. This discourages many from calling home when they don’t have `M-PESA’ or `WESTERN UNION’ announcement.
Another dude jokingly said, sometime you call home and the second word from hello is a question. And the question, what is the pin number? Please give it to me before the line gets disconnected. As Jane says, never hesitate to let your folks know your real economic situation. Your silence might kill them.
Shiku Steve
Update on New Baby Without Milk: How You Can Help
Following the publication of the story about the new born baby and his Kenyan mother, there have been requests by concerned people on how they can help. We congratulate the Kenyan lady who has donated a pram and baby clothes. Fortunately, the kind Kenyan lady helping the baby’s mother with accommodation has accepted that KSB can go public with her contact because the situation is really serious.
For those who want to help, her name is Rose Wachera and she can be reached through her mobile at: 0761132362. Anybody who wants to deliver anything can do so directly through her or call KSB to facilitate the process. Rose has also released her Nordea Bank account number to KSB for those who would like to help financially. The account number cannot be published here because it is a personal account. In case you want to deposit cash, mail KSB or call through our contact button for the account number. You can also call Rose directly for her Nordea account number.
We have to emphasize that Rose Wachera has nothing to do with the content of the KSB story. She is only helping the lady whom, she says, she cannot throw out in the streets regardless of the circumstances. Callers are strongly advised not to question her about the blog content because she is not responsible. She is only a good Samaritan helping a needy mother in great difficulty. Any questions about the story should be directed to KSB President, Mr. Okoth Osewe.
Okoth Osewe
Raila Picture Harvests 10
Pictures: Keegan Kagwe
New Baby of Paperless Kenyan Chick ”Without Help”
New Baby has no milk
A crisis of sorts is brewing in a flat in Stockholm where a paperless Kenyan chick is effectively going through “hell on earth” after delivering a bouncing baby boy to a white Swedish dude. According to a team of KSB agents who have fished the storo from the deep depths of “Vituko Ocean” in Kenya-Stockholm and who have code-named the Kenyan chick “Lady Babito”, the Swedish father was opposed to the pregnancy from day one after he learnt that Lady Babito’s belly had something coming up and that he was responsible.
The Swede is reported to have gone wild because he was not yet ready to begin baby-sitting while he allegedly argued that Lady Babito had tricked her into the “baby-come-paper-come” game as a strategy of settling in Sweden.
Another problem that strengthened the Jungu’s serious opposition to the pregnancy was that his parents warned him “tusen gånger” (A thousand times) not to ever think about giving them a Nigger for a grandchild under any circumstance.
The Swede then proposed to Babito that she needed to conduct an abortion, an option which Babito refused because for her, she had worked so hard to clinch what Kenya-Stockholmers refer to as a “Paper-Kid”.
At first, the Swede is reported to have thought that the matter was very simple since the case touched on an “accidental pregnancy” that could be flashed out at Karolinska hospital within minutes and the chick would be back walking in the streets two hours after the operation. He was mistaken.
As the Jungu began to amass pressure that Babito book time with the gynecologist to discuss an abortion, the Kenyan chick simply changed tact. She began to get militant and to warn her Jungu boyfriend that abortion was not in her vocabulary under the circumstances and that the baby would not just be carried to term but would also be delivered right here in Stockholm with or without papers.
This position forced the Jungu to review his battle plan. He began to threaten Babito that he would call police to arrest her and deport her before she could even deliver. However, cleaver Babito had her own plans. When she learnt about the moves her boyfriend was making, she melted from his world like thin ice. She moved from the guy’s apartment to begin counting her days away from threats about police. It was not until two weeks ago when she delivered a bouncing baby and a “Nigger-bull” at that.
Jungu Visits His Baby “Empty Handed”
The new born had not entered the world easily. Babito had to go through a CS after doctors concluded that normal delivery was not possible. In other words, Babito left hospital a few days later, both as a mother and a patient. Her boyfriend had shown her the “Red card” as far as accommodation was concerned and with nowhere to go, she linked up with a Kenyan lady who sympathized with her situation and accommodated her temporarily as she began the process of motherhood.
Punde si punde, the father of the newborn got wind about the news. He quickly made arrangements to make a connection. According to sources, the new Daddy was both anxious and excited about the news. When he saw his new boy, he is reported to have been physically elated and since then, he has been making very frequent visits to see his son.
As they say, “experience is the best teacher”. The new daddy has been making visits to see the baby without carrying any goodies. The Jungu has not yet understood that new babies need some things called diapers because they pass waste almost on a constant basis. The Kenyan lady who accepted to accommodate Babito made it clear that she was not in a position to afford the child’s basic up-keep.
She is herself having a baby to look after and the presence of Babito with her baby in the house has been stressful. Just before she delivered, Babito was being assisted periodically by the International Red Cross although the exact nature of this help could not immediately be established.
What is shocking is that although he appears to like his son, the Jungu Daddy has refused to house both the mother and the son saying that he will have nothing to do with the would-be family members, a position that has shocked some Kenyans who are wondering whether the Jungu is a human being or a wild animal.
In the meantime, the Jungu’s paroz do not even want to know the name of the Nigger grandchild. In fact, they are hoping that he won’t be named “Svensson”, a typical Swedish name. Sources say that because of the circumstances, Babito has not officially named her baby although a KSB agent picked up a name currently being used to refer to the baby.
A crisis is brewing because despite her delicate nature, Babito has no permanent abode. The Kenyan lady who rescued her in the beginning has too much on her hands and she told Babito that she ought to look for alternative accommodation so Babito fixed a new abode after another woman from Kenya accepted her in although it is not known how long she will be at the place.
New Baby “On the Verge of Starvation”
Apart from accommodation problems, another major problem facing Babito and her new born is that as a result of her operation, lack of appetite, stress linked to the child’s rejection by his father, depression, psychological set-backs, mounting frustrations, uncertainty, post-natal pressures, paperlessness and serious worries about the future, Babito has lost a lot of weight.
The consequence is that she does not have enough milk for breast-feeding and, according to sources, the baby “is on the brink of starvation”. Since Babito is not eating properly, the situation has been worsening by the hour.
To prevent the baby from starving to death due to shortage of breast milk, those around Babito recommended that the kid be put on formulas, an expensive option that Babito’s helpers are unable to afford. It is reported that the child is feeding “by the Grace of God”.
Paradoxically, the new Daddy has not understood the problem and when he goes to admire his son, he doesn’t carry with him any food or formulas. He probably thinks that the son is feeding on airburgers!
Despite her problems, Babito is reported to be very strong. She believes that she has gone through worse times while she is reported to have vowed to fight on despite the difficulties.
Members of the Kenya-Stockholm community should help Babito by donating diapers and child food at the minimum. She also needs legal help because since she is paperless, she doesn’t know what to do and appears afraid of the Swedish authorities especially after the father of the child threatened to get her deported to Kenya.
She needs a pram because the Jungu Daddy has not yet clicked that kids are normally pushed around in prams, not just admired. Kenyans, friends and well-wishers also need to talk to the Jungu Daddy and pump him with stuff about his responsibilities as a Daddy regardless of the circumstances. You don’t cease to become a Daddy because a child was born against your will.
Most importantly, Babito needs compassion from caring people in Sweden. Her situation is both desperate and tough for a woman who is nursing both a wound on her belly and a new baby. Kenyan women and men alike, fathers, mothers, grandies, singles, everybody should meet to set up a “Support Group” to help this lady because sympathy is good but it’s not enough.
Okoth Osewe
Kenya-Stockholm Lady Suffers Stroke Attack
A young Kenyan lady is currently recuperating at Huddinge Hospital following a stroke attack. The lady, who is barely 30 years old, has been confined in a wheel chair after the stroke left her half way paralyzed.
Kenyans who have learnt about the tragedy have been praying for her to make quick recovery. The attack came as a complete surprise because apart from being young, the lady has been healthy and very active.
The attack has left many Kenyans in Stockholm in a state of panic because of the growing incidences of stroke attacks among both the young and the old in Kenya-Stockholm.
Although some Kenyans have blamed the attacks on excessive consumption of alcohol within the Kenya-Stockholm community, this theory might not be true because in the latest case, the lady is a devout Christian who has never touched pombe.
As the lady was admitted to hospital, another Kenyan lady had just been discharged from another hospital in town, having suffered a stroke which left her half way paralyzed and also confined her in a wheel chair. The lady collapsed in her flat before her former boyfriend called in the Ambulance which rushed her to hospital in critical condition. She was immediately put on an induced coma before going through brain surgery.
For more than six months, the lady was in a coma as Kenyans prayed for her. It was great joy to come into contact with her at the Raila meeting after she was discharged and after making tremendous recovery.
In the recent past, six Kenyans have gone down with stroke – four elderly men and two young women. Out of the four men, one has since died, another one is in a coma, a third one has recovered with partial paralysis of one arm while a fourth one appears to have made full recovery.
Okoth Osewe
“Necessary Noise” Coming to Stockholm
The re-knowned Kenyan group – Necessary Noise – will be in Stockholm on Friday, 4th December in a Pre-Christmas Live bash that is expected to send Kenya-Stockholmers rocking to the wild beats of Nairobi as cold December opens up its doors. The show has been timed before you travel anywhere for your X-Mass hide-out and this makes it special.
The show will feature Mr. Lenny, a leading Necessary Noise group member together with DJ Lastborn who will hit the DJs table as early as 19.00 hrs. Both Artists will be flying from Kenya. The show is being coordinated by Steve, a Kenyan whose interest in music since the early days in Stockhy is well known by the Kenya Party fraternity.
The show has been facilitated in conjunction with the Network for Africans Unity in Sweden (NAV) which has been exciting members of the African community with one Live show after another (Remember Magic System and others?).
The show takes place at NAVs “Center of Gravity” at Bibliotekhuset in Sollentuna (Address Taniarplatsen 2). Further information is on the way but just in case you need immediate details, ring 0762604178, 0704193053, 0737605950 and get your fill.
Okoth Osewe
Former Kenya-Stockholmer, Mr. Michael Osumba “In Critical Condition”
Mr. Michael Osumba: "In Critical Condition"
Mr. Michael Osumba, a Kenya-Stockholmer, is in critical condition in Kenya after suffering a second stroke attack. According to reports reaching KSB, Mr. Osumba has lost his ability to talk. “His condition is not good and we are very worried”, a contact who is close to Mr. Osumba told KSB. “Anything can happen”, she added.
When he left Sweden for Kenya about two years ago, Mr. Osumba appeared healthy and strong but after some months, he suffered a stroke which forced him into a coma for two weeks. When he emerged from coma, he lost his ability to walk, forcing him to remain on a wheel chair.
About two months ago, Mr. Osumba lost his mother in Kenya and that was after he lost his eldest daughter who was over 40 years old and who was a teacher in Kenya. Both the mother and the daughter succumbed to illness although his mother was advanced in years.
It is believed that the bereavements devastated Mr. Osumba and that the difficult circumstances could have resulted in his second stroke attack. Family members have requested that Kenyans, friends and well-wishers pray for Mr. Osumba.
Mr. Osumba is a very intelligent man and highly political. Before he left Kenya in the early 70s, he was very close to the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga who assisted him to proceed for further studies in the former Soviet Union. He later relocated to Sweden after failing to return to Kenya because the dictatorship of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was harassing and intimidating Kenyans who studied in the former Soviet Union due to fear that they could spread communism in Kenya.
Okoth Osewe
Weekender: Vumbi Dekula in Action at Lilla Wien
VUMBI DEKULA BAND IN ACTION
Lilla Wien:
Friday 20th November and
Saturday 21st November
Time: 21.00-1.00
Address: Swedenborgsgatan 20
Söder Station (Pendeltåg)
Come and dance away the evening with Africas greatest live Band in Stockholm city.
Kenya Stockholmer, Fanuel Okoth is Dead
Kenya Stockholmer Mr. Fanuel Okoth is dead. The Kenyan died last night in Kenya at his home village in Yimbo, Siaya district, where he has been recuperating following a stroke attack which left him half way paralysed.
Mr. Okoth, who was over 70 years old, came to Sweden in the 70s from the former Soviet Union where he was studying. At the time of his death, a group of Kenyans were planning to get him to Sweden so that he could get proper medical treatment.
After he suffered a stroke a few months ago, he was taken to a local hospital but he soon made a dramatic recovery, prompting his relatives to return him home for further care.
Mr. Okoth will be missed by Kenyans who knew him. He was very vociferous on various issues. His death comes barely a month after Mr. Onyango Sumba, a former Kenya-Stockholmer, passed away at Kenyatta National hospital. Mr. Sumba was buried last month.
Okoth Oswe
Update on Pastor Samson’s “Caai wa Mwana”
As many Kenyans are aware, on Saturday, 28th November, Pastor Samson Kariuki and family will be receiving Kenyans and friends alike at his residence in Tumba during the welcoming ceremony of their baby who was born recently.
In this connection, KSB has been alerted that the buses leading to Pastor Samson’s residence are two while we have also been informed that they operate at different times. This information was missing during the initial announcement.
The Party begins at 15.00 hrs and the bus to catch is number 718 which operates up to 19.00 hrs. After 19.00, the bus to target is number 736 heading to Blemura and this should get you to the residence. Other information earlier transmitted remains the same.
Through Mrs Maragret Njihia, the Organizing committee sends lots of greetings to Kenyans in Stockholm hoping that members of the community will make the occasion one to remember.
Okoth Osewe
Sheila-Mustaq Wedding Reception Venue Named
Plans for the wedding between Sheila and Mustaq are at an advanced stage and a series of meetings continue to be organized as 12th December, the date of the wedding, also nears. The clock is ticking! The wedding will take place at Södermalm Church in Skanstull, Stockholm city at 11.00 hrs.
From the Church, the newly weds will proceed to a Reception at Södermalm Christian School located at Hammarbyhöjden (Address Petrejusvägen 42) where guests will be waiting for the couple.
According to information gathered by KSB, different departments in charge of the wedding are meeting continuously so as not to leave anything to chance. It will be the second Kenya-Stockholm wedding since july when David and Madde tied the knot before zooming to Kenya for their honeymoon.
A key personality who is deeply involved in the planning of the wedding is Mrs Margaret Njihia. In July, Margaret is among Kenyans who masterminded the wedding of David and Maddeleine which was staged in Gävle and which was a huge success.
KSB has learnt that the wedding will be documented by top Kenya-Stockholm photographers namely Mr. Keegan Kagwe and Mr. Seidimu ole Ngais. KSB operatives will also be at hand to capture “Momentpix” for the blog site.
With the wedding set for December 12th, Ambassador Purity can, this time, take Jamhuri day Reception to Iceland or Kiruna and few Kenyans will complain because the day will be packed with better action. Further details will be released as they become available.
Okoth Osewe
It’s a Baby Girl for Daisy!
KSB takes this opportunity to congratulate Daisy following the delivery of her baby girl. It is a moment that many Kenyans have been waiting for and now, it has come. The baby is yet another addition to the growing number of bouncing babies born to Kenyan parents. At the Apostle Karanja Conference, a total of 27 children were blessed by the Apostle, a sign that not all Kenyan couples are just spreading hot gossip around. They get busy until late into the night as evidenced by the impressive result of their work.
Okoth Osewe
Brief Report from Mr. Onyango Sumba’s Funeral
L-R: The late Mr. Sumba introducing former Ambassador Mr. Michael Sergon (C) to Mr. Joseph Munene aka Man Nzoro during the wedding of Mr. Laban Mberi in Stockholm
The late Mr. Patrick Onyango Sumba was accorded a state-like burial at his home in Alego Kaluo Kobare on 31st October, 2009. Family members, relatives, friends and high profile politicians like Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and Lands Minister James Orengo, were among those who attended. He was given a royal send off and all the speakers spoke great things about him.
Sumba’s ex-wife, Dr. Rosemary Onyango and sons Pinto and Andrew, were central in paying their last respects. Their presence meant a lot and they were highly appreciated. Mr. Jack Mulo, the late Paddy’s comrade and confidant who is based in Sweden, was also recognized for having worked very closely with him, even in exile.
During speeches, Mr. James Orengo used the opportunity to attack Agriculture Minister Mr. Willian Ruto for beginning Presidential campaigns “too early”. According to Orengo, whose views were supported by Assistant Finance Minister Oburu Odinga, ODM’s nominations for the post of president could not be made through public declarations.
Dr. Oburu told the mourners that ODM had its own way of nominating its presidential candidate and that an individual could not begin to raise the issue three years before elections. He said that ODM will not stop anybody from vying for Presidency but added that the time is not yet ripe for ODM members to begin campaigns for presidential nominations. Noting that there are Kenyans who are good at long and short races, Dr. Oburu said that becoming President of Kenya is not easy.
On his part, Prime Minister Raila Odinga steered clear of talk about the presidency. Instead, he concentrated on the need for a new constitution and stressed that it was important for Kenyans to have a Constitution that was acceptable to everybody. Mr. Odinga lamented the fact that the Judiciary had lost its credibility and said that Constitutional reforms would include institutional reforms so that the existing institutions could be made more effective.
The mourners were also addressed by Gem MP Jackoyo Midiwo who questioned the process through which Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta had tendered VW Passat cars to replace fuel guzzling Mercedes Benzes for Ministers and Assistant Ministers.
The presence of former Stockholmers was acknowledged as they entered in a 4×4 Nissan Patrol vehicle, with a Swedish flag flying high on the front. Minister Orengo jokingly mentioned that their vehicle was larger than his. It is usual to size up material possessions during burial ceremonies in Kenya.
The team, which consisted of Dr. Wycliffe Odiwuor, Mr. Thomas Opande, Mr. Waore Diang’a and the writer, was honored to be there and took photos which will be shared later at KSB. Some returned to Kisumu today, while others are driving back to Nairobi and were past Naivasha at the time of reporting, Sunday 1st November at 17:30, Swedish time.
Rose Adero,
Nairobi-bound
Kenya-Stockholmers Saved During Apostle Karanja’s Sermons
Apostle Karanja in action. Photo: Keegan Kagwe
By the time the Divine Healing Conference addressed by Apostle David Karanja of the Christ Ministry’s Harvesters came to an end on Sunday, November 1st in Stockholm, two Kenyans had been saved from their sins, having been washed by the blood of Jesus during Apostle Karanja’s sermons which moved the audience to levels that have never been seen in Stockholm.
Ms Grace Nyambura, a young Kenyan lady, and Mr. Joseph Kamau, a Kenyan and brother to Mr. Githuku wa Muirani, the coordinator of the Conference, were both ushered into the Kenya-Stockholm community of those who had accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior. Deep emotion reigned supreme as Grace burst into tears after she was captured by the spirit of Jesus Christ following Apostle Karanja’s sermons.
As she entered into a moment of divine transformation from a sinful past to a new life of heavenly glory thereby booking a permanent seat in the Kingdom of heaven, fellow Christians who witnessed the historic moment had no option but to provide Grace with a shoulder to cry on as she came to task with the powerful spiritual force that had captured her conscience before freeing her spirit to enable her serve the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of her life. Apostle Karanja’s sermons were so captivating that there are no words to describe the central impact of his message for those who missed the event.
In fact, a Kenyan called KSB and confessed that he had to escape from the Conference hall to prevent himself from being captured by the spirit of Jesus Christ because he still loved appearing at the Vasa Temple.
It was amazing to notice the huge number of Kenya-Stockholmers who attended the Conference. By Sunday, the hall was filled to capacity and Kenyans whose religious allegiances are known to belong to the Temple of Vasa all trooped to the Conference to listen to Apostle Karanja.
Judging by the huge attendance by Kenyans from all walks of life, it appears as though Kenya-Stockholmers are in some kind of a deep search for spiritual guidance apparently after “losing direction” and the Conference must have been a manna from heaven. Tribalism was shoved aside as Kenyans from all ethnic groups congregated to listen to Apostle Karanja.
Known enemies hugged liberally as top gossipers and other prominent propagandists who have been spreading malice and dirty gossip against their alleged enemies sat patiently to be lectured by Apostle Karanja about the futility of: unforgiveness, hatred, bitterness, anger, gossip, envy, malice, slander, strife, and, most importantly, sexual immorality which has literally been out of control in Kenya-Stockholm’s youth and adults alike.
In the recent past, the community has witnessed shocking scenes of wives being snatched, hanyad and dumped by friends, girlfriends being hijacked and their pants stripped by trusted pals, the youth engaging in indiscriminate “hanyaring operations” to the amazement of shocked parents as young Kenyan girls swaggered around in town almost semi-naked, all in the spirit of summer, sexual liberation and fashion. The consequence has been accidental pregnancies, painful divorce cases and even abortion among the youth.
Kenyans who are known not to see eye to eye because of historical disagreements met, shook hands, hugged and took pictures collectively to the amusement of observers. It was like the Almighty God had sent Pastor Karanja on a healing mission in Kenya Stockholm because after the Conference, there was a general agreement that “things will never be the same in Stockholm”. The message was that the impact of Apostle Karanja’s sermons were so powerful that many attendees felt that a transformation had occurred in their lives.
This translates into forgiving your enemies, reconciling past differences with perceived enemies, closing your mouth to gossip and negative propaganda against other Kenyans, extending a helping hand in times of need, being your brother’s/sister’s keeper, putting an end to admiring or luring other people’s women, serving as a role model for the youth, ending alcoholism and consumption of drugs and putting (to a permanent end) all evils that you have been associated with.
One critical observation was that Apostle Karanja’s Stockholm Conference seems to have brought all leaders of the Kenya-Stockholm Christian community together. Apart from brother Githuku wa Muirani who coordinated the event, top Christians who were also in the mix included Pastor Beatrice Kamau of St Klara Church, Pastor Tilla of the Redeemed Gospel Church, Pastor Samson Kariuki of the Outreach Ministries, Pastor Stanley of the New Life Service (French) including Pastor Karl Erick and Pastor Overa of St Klara Church.
Greatest message from the Conference is Love
Speaking to KSB, brother Githuku wa Muirani thanked God for having made things happen. He thanked the organizing Committee for making things possible by taking their time and spending their cash. He encouraged Kenyans to stand strong in the face of trials. He posed:
“Did you know that the only difference between a piece of black coal and a priceless diamond is the amount of pressure that it endured? When you stand strong in the midst of trials and difficulties in life, when you allow God to shape and mould your character, it’s like going from a piece of coal to a priceless diamond. Those difficulties are going to give way to new growth, new potential, new talent, new friendships, new opportunities and new vision. You’re going to see God develop your life in ways that you’ve never even dreamed!”
“I thank all the people of Stockholm for having turned up in large numbers and hope that in future, more conferences and seminars will take place in Stockholm to strengthen and energize the Kenya-Stockholm community”, Brother Muirani told KSB. He said that the big turn-out was evidence of the love of God amongst us.
Turning to Apostle Karanja’s key message, brother Muirani said that “the greatest message from the Conference is love because by showing love, we can draw people unto the almighty God”.
He continued. “When we show love, we work with forgiveness, not bitterness. It shows that we are ready to work together as a community”. Quoting from the bible, he said:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation” (Romans 5:3-4, NLT).
Mr. Muirani hoped that the seeds that had been planted during the Conference will grow to give rise to peace and a loving environment within the Kenyan community and friends alike.
“In everything we do, we should remember that God has given us different talents. We should encourage and promote each other instead of bringing one another down”, Mr. Muirani told KSB. He added that the talents God has given us should be used for the benefit of the Kingdom of God. He continued:
“Did you know that the way you handle your adversities has a huge impact on your success in life? If you shrink back, choose to get bitter, and lose your enthusiasm, then you are allowing the difficulties of life to bury you. You are allowing hardship to keep you from your God-given destiny. But if you choose to keep pressing forward with a smile on your face, rejoicing even in the hard times, you are allowing God’s character to be developed inside of you. You are setting yourself up for promotion”.
He said that Kenyans should give thanks and praises to the almighty God and hoped that God will protect Apostle David Karanja, his family and his Ministry.
Mr. Muirani also thanked Mrs Jennifer Mungai who acts as the International Coordinator of Christ Harvesters Ministries International. Jenifer is based in Geneva.
During the Conference, 27 children were dedicated to God by Apostle Karanja and Brother Muirani appealed to parents of these children to keep in touch because there is a package which will be sent by Christ Ministries Harvesters International from Atlanta. Muirani disclosed that the package will contain guidelines on how to help the children walk in the ways of the Lord.
Mr. Muirani also thanked KSB for covering the event since the idea was mooted and hoped that the blog site will continue to serve members of the Kenya Stockholm community diligently. In his prayer, Brother Muirani said:
“Father in heaven, thank You for giving me strength to overcome every obstacle in life. I choose to rejoice no matter what may come against me because I know You are working all things together for my good. Thank You for developing Your character in me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen”.
Okoth Osewe
Apostle Karanja Picture Harvests 01
Photo credit: Keegan Kagwe
Apostle Karanja Picture Harvests 02
Photo credit: Keegan Kagwe
Naomi and Lisa’s Father Passes on: Prayer Meeting 6th/Nov
Two sisters, Naomi Njeri and Lisa Muraya, have lost their Dad in Kenya. The Mzee passed away on Tuesday November 3rd at 18.00 Swedish time. As a result of the death, the entire family of both Naomi and Lisa have been plunged into deep mourning.
Kenyans, friends, well wishers and sympathizers are invited to a prayer meeting cum fund raising on Friday 6th November at 4pm at Njeri’s residence located at Trångsund in Stockholm.
The address is Tornsligan 37 (Ground floor). Train to the residence is the surface train (Pendeln) towards Västerhanninge then take off at Trångsund. Those who will be unable to make it to the function can send contributions to Nordea Bank account number 33008212145364.
Further information can be obtained from Mr. Githuku wa Muirani at 0736779031 while the bereaved Njeri can be reached at 0700627913. We have a father who never ever fails. Rock of ages will never, ever fail!
KSB sends deep condolences to the family of Njeri and Lisa during this trying moment marked by great shock and sorrow. We hope that the family will have the courage to go through this tragic experience which, at times, comes without notice.
Okoth Osewe
Vumbi Dekula November Schedule at Lilla Wien
Dekula Band
6-7-20-21 Nov.2009
from: 21-01 place Lilla Wien Bar & Restaurant.
Address: Swedenborgsgatan 20, Pendel Södra Station
Photo credit: Vumbi
Kenya Post Election Documentary: Maina Kiai Coming to Stockholm
12th November Film and discussion:
“Getting Justice: Kenya’s Deadly Game of Wait and See”
Maina Kiai: To Discuss Documentary
In the beginning of 2008 a wave of violence spread across Kenya. The election results from December 27, 2007, were questioned and lead to riots. More than 1 000 persons were killed and nearly half a million were banished from their homes.
“Getting Justice: Kenya’s Deadly Game of Wait and See” is a documentary about the search for accountability and reconciliation in Kenya. The film gives voice to survivors; it looks at what they desire and discusses some of the issues that they would like to see. It also looks at Rwanda as a contemporary example of how another country has dealt with issues of justice and reconciliation after their major crisis in 1994.
After the screening, we will have a discussion with the human rights defender, Maina Kiai, who uses film as a tool to pursue social justice issues. Maina Kiai is first Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Date: Thursday 12 november
Time: 16.30-18.30
Place: Stora Nygatan 26, Old Town, Stockholm
Please let us know if you can come no later than November 10th, send an e-mail to anmalan@civilrightsdefenders.org or call us at 08-545 277 30.
Welcome!
Raila Picture Harvests at Lilla Wien 05
Photo credits: Keegan Kagwe
Kenya Poetry Performance in Stockholm Part 1-3
Featuring Ngwatilo Mawiyoo and Shailja Patel
PART 2:
Part 3:
Apostle Karanja Picture Harvests 03
Photo Credit: Keegan Kagwe
Ukweli wa Mambo:Pesa ya Uma Si Mali ya Binafsi
Ukweli wa Mambo is a KSB series that began in 2007 and that features postings and articles created by or through Ndugu Mwandawiro Mghanga, former MP of Wundanyi constituency. Mwandawiro was exiled in Sweden before he returned to Kenya to participate in local politics. We continue with this series in Kiswahili, Kenya’s National language.
NA HAKI ITENDEKE MARA MOJA
Makala ya Nguvu ya Hoja kwa KSB Jumamosi
na Ndugu Mwandawiro Mghanga
Habari kwamba Serikali imetenga shilingi milioni thelathini na tatu kwa ajili ya kukarabati nyumba za binafsi za Waziri Mkuu ni za kushangaza, kushtusha, kutisha, kuhofisha na kukasirisha. Labda ni tetesi zisizo na ukweli zinazosambazwa na vyombo vya habari. Pamoja na ufisadi uliyokolea nchini na ulafi wa pesa na mali wa viongozi wa nchi hii, sikutarajia kwamba hili lingelifikirika, kusadikika au kufanyika, tena hadharani na bila haya wala aibu. Bali penye moshi hapakosi moto na lisemwalo lipo na likiwa halipo li njiani linakuja.
Tulikuwa tunalaani ufisadi uliyonoga na kunawiri nyakati za utawala wa Moi, kumbe ukishangaa ya Musa utaona ya firauni! Pesa za Serikali ni pesa za umma na kamwe hatuwezi kukubali zigeuzwe mali ya binafsi na kutumiwa vururumtende. Kutumia pesa za umma kwa masilahi ya kibinafsi ni udanganyifu, wizi, ufisadi na uhalifu. Haiwezi kuwa vingine. Kuchukua milioni thelathini na tatu ya pesa za umma na kuzitumia kukarabati nyumba za binafsi za Waziri Mkuu bila shaka ni kupora mali ya umma. Tena, haijalishi ni kiasi gani, mali ya umma ni mali ya umma hata ikiwa ndururu, hivyo si haki au halali ibinafsishwe. Waziri Mkuu akikubali kukarabatiwa nyumba zake za binafsi na pesa za umma basi atakuwa amekubali kushiriki uhalifu. Ushauri wangu ni akarabati mali yake na pesa zake, najua anaweza. Asikubali kushiriki katika kujenga utamaduni huu wa kuhalalisha wizi, ufisadi na uporaji wa ushuru wa raia.
Ikiwa Bunge limekubali kuidhinisha pesa za umma kutumiwa kukarabati nyumba za binafsi za Waziri Mkuu, ama mtu yoyote, basi limewasaliti wananchi wa Kenya na vilevile limeshiriki katika jinai. Nikisema hivi, naamini kuwa Waziri Mkuu ana haki ya kuwa na maskani ya kustahili wadhifa wake na majukumu yake ya kitaifa. Maskani yake yanaweza kugharimu hata milioni mia moja au zaidi. Ajengewe majumba hayo, lakini bora tu yawe mali ya Serikali ambayo atayatumia hadi atakapomaliza kazi yake. Lakini kutumia mali ya umma kumjengea ama kumakarabatia mtu yoyote yule nyumba zake binafsi zitakazorithiwa na jamaa yake si sahihi hata kidogo.
Rais mstaafu, Daniel Arap Moi, hangelipewa majumba ya Serikali yaliyoko Kibera aliyokuwa akiyatumia akiwa rais. Hiyo ilikuwa mali ya umma na ni makosa yazawadiwe mtu binafsi hata awe nani. Angehamia majumba yake binafsi na kuyaacha majumba hayo kutumiwa kwa shughuli za Serikali. Je, tukijenga utamaduni wa viongozi kurithi mali ya umma, si Rais anaweze kutarajia kurithi hata ikulu ya Rais atakapomaliza muda wake? Aidha, tamaa ya kujilimbikizia mali ikiwa ni pamoja na ya wizi, itawapeleka wapi?
Tukiacha haya ya tamaa mbele mauti nyuma, tugusie ya haki na sheria. Nayo sheria ni msumeno, hukata mbele na nyuma. Habari kuu za kila siku ni kuhusu ikiwa watu, mkiwemo viongozi wa nchi, ambao wanatuhumiwa kwa kupanga, kuchochea na kudhamini ghasia za baada ya uchaguzi, watashtakiwa hapa nchini, huko Uholanzi ama wataundiwa tume ya ukweli, haki na maridhiano. Baraza la Mawaziri linababaika wala halina mwelekeo. Nani atakuwa pweza wa kujikanga na mafuta yake mwenyewe? Shinikizo kubwa zaidi za haki na kisheria zinazotingisha nakutetemesha Serikali hii ni zile za kutoka nje, za kibeberu. Walisaini Mkataba wa Roma, nao Mkataba wa Roma na Mahakama ya Uhalifu ya Kimataifa ni ukolonimamboleo. Kenya si huru tena, inaongozwa na mikataba na sheria za kibeberu.
Viongozi wanaouabudu ubeberu hadi kusaliti nchi kwa kukubali majasusi na polisi wa kigeni kuingia huku kuwakamata, kuwahoji, kuwatesa, kuwateka hadi nchi za kigeni na hata kuua wananchi, sasa wenyewe wanaandamwa na mabeberu. Kumbe mchimba kisima huingia mwenyewe. Siwahurumii maana hawana huruma hata kidogo hawa vigogo watuhumiwa. Bali naona uchungu kwa nchi yetu ambayo imefikishwa kwa hali ya kupoteza uhuru wa kitaifa. Serikali gani inayokubali kusomewa na kukemewa na mabalozi wa kigeni usiku na mchana?
Ndiyo, wazimu huu lazima uwe na kikomo. Uhalifu ni uhalifu, bahasha ifunguliwe na watuhumiwa wajulikane, wakamatwe, wawekwe korokoroni na kushtakiwa nchini, huko Uholanzi ama popote pale. Watuhumiwa wenye vyeo serikalini waondoke ama waondolewe na kufuata wenzao korokoroni na mahakamani. Hii ndiyo sheria na haki yao wenyewe, wanaitumia kwa makabwela bali leo imewafikia. Mwosha huoshwa. Tusikubali tume ya ukweli, haki na maridhiano yenye shabaha ya kuwasamehe na kuwawachilia waliyopanga na kutekeleza njama za kuwaua wengine maksuudi. Ikiwa tutawasamehe wahalifu wa ghasia za baada ya uchaguzi basi basi tuwasamehe wahalifu wote, tuwafungue wafungwa wote nchini na kuanza upya. Njama za mwamba ngozi kamba kuvutia kwake hatuzitaki.
Jambo la muhimu zaidi ni kwamba chochote kile kinachohitajika kufanywa ili kuiondoa Serikali hii kutoka madarakani kwa njia za kidemokrasi, kifanyike haraka iwezekanvyo. Serikali hii imechafuka kadamnasi ya wananchi na kimataifa Isitoshe imeshindwa kulinda uhuru wa kitaifa. Na inende kunenda!
Mwandawiro Mghanga, Barua pepe: mwandawiro2002(at)yahoo.com
Raila Picture Harvests 07
Picture credit: Okoth Osewe
Shailja Deconstructed the Concept of Literacy
It was a pleasure meeting Shailja again, having attended one of her poetry sessions in Uppsala during her stay as the “2009 Guest Writer” at the Nordic Africa Institute. Her poems are powerful and capture Kenya’s realities, especially during the pre and post election violence (PEV) last year. Shailja is fearless and has an in-depth grasp of Kenya’s historical and political landscape. During the 2008 skirmishes, she wrote an open letter to Samuel Kivuitu, then head of the disbanded Electoral Commission of Kenya, challenging his decision to declare President Kibaki winner of the disputed elections.
It was the first time to meet Ngwatilo, who is a young, talented and creative poet, whose message resonates with the realities facing Kenya’s “Hip hop generation”. She recited a poem flavoured with ‘Sheng’ (Nairobi’s slang-based language), which is important in reaching audiences that would otherwise be left out using academic English. Both women play a major role in bridging the generational gap left by female writers who reigned from the 1960s to the 1980s, and are currently retired.
It was a pity that the third guest, Professor Wambui Mwangi of Toronto University, could not travel to Stockholm due to health reasons. However, she is another gifted writer who runs a blog called the “Diary of a Mad Kenyan Woman”. During the PEV, she posted a damning essay on the election fraud, violence and those wishing to maintain the “feudal principality of Kikuyustan” as cited by Sokari Ekine, a Nigerian-born writer and an award-winning blogger. Ms. Mwangi also writes for Kwani? (Swahili for ‘So What?’), which is a literary magazine for contemporary Kenyan writers available online and in print.
The shift in Kenya’s political landscape since 2002, has revived the lost literary culture and it is now wonderful to read once again, about prolific women writers like Marjorie Oludhe Macgoye and Muthoni Likimani among others, in the local papers and on the Internet.
Mrs. Asenath Bole Odaga is another writer who is famous for short stories in English and Dholuo (her mother-tongue). Her presence on the Internet is special, because she discusses how her writing is a reminder of the fading Luo values affected by the fast-changing lifestyles, particularly in urban areas. I recall her humble bookshop cum printing store, established in the 1980s in Kisumu town. She’s now gone global and runs a website with an online bookstore. Mrs. Odaga would always stop and chat with people; something she still does as a believer in oral literature and an accomplished educator, who is also concerned with empowering young women.
Professor Micere Mugo, the firebrand writer and a Marxist-oriented intellectual, was driven into exile in the early 1980s when the former President Moi’s regime became uncomfortable with her work at the Nairobi University. Her contribution in political science and literature, awakened many of her students and colleagues who fought for Kenya’s “second liberation” in the 1990s. Her ingenious poems and creative writing are shaped by her roots among the Ndia people of Kirinyaga District, whose storytelling culture is used to interpret politics. They believe in frank debates which should not be censored; thus the perceived threats of her writing during Moi’s leadership.
Ms. Joy Mboya is another artist worth crediting for being among the founders of the space for Kenyan artists in the visual and performing arts in Nairobi, better known as The Godown Arts Centre. In a book edited by Njogu and Olunya-Oluoch (2007), Joy argued that the formation of the Centre had been necessitated by the need for Kenyans to “take charge of their cultural agenda by establishing and managing their own cultural spaces”. She also noted that media censorship and the banning of other freedoms of expression during Moi’s regime, sent creativity “into hibernation” in the 1980s and 1990s. Local musicians also suffered because they could not sing about the terrible political situation, without risking detention.
I met Joy for the first time in Stockholm during Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s meeting with the Kenyans on October 23rd 2009, after the EU Development Days conference. I am very grateful for the copy of a book she gave me, titled: “Kenya Burning”, which contains a compilation of photos taken during the post-election violence in 2008. It was her idea to bring together all those who had taken such photos, and to immortalize their work, as a stark reminder of the rot that engulfed Kenya for that period.
Anyway, back to Shailja and Ngwatilo. The open floor segment for questions and answers was quite interesting, because both artists shared personal experiences as performers based in Kenya but also travel abroad frequently. They informed the listeners that there is still no legal framework to protect artists from exploitation especially the musicians, whose work is pirated and hardly earn royalties. It is probably an area which does not threaten the Kenyan ruling class, so they might not be bothered to streamline it. However, musicians currently earn better and have more recording opportunities compared to a few decades ago.
Kenyan writers still face censorship in disseminating their books, especially if they mention powerful politicians. Although they don’t get banned openly as it used to be in the 1980s, bookshop owners cannot stock them for fear of legal suits, from those who cite libel. Nevertheless, there is a thriving underground market for the sale of such books.
Shailja deconstructed the concept of literacy by explaining that in the literary world, there are many “literacies” because reading or oral literature is not only available in the Western languages. These literacies link artists with their communities. Ngwatilo also said that Sheng helps in reaching the youth through rap music and performance arts, giving them a sense of belonging.
I add these two performers on my list of Kenyan women who are empowered with the gift of gab, and are making a difference in the country’s political and cultural landscape. They are among many others who form the growing community of politically conscious poets, writers and storytellers in Kenya.
Jared Odero
Generation Disaster
Below is a thought provoking analysis of political Kenya by one of the writers of Kwani Trust, Mr. Martin Kimani – Milton Muigai
The next revolution in Kenya will not be a violent one, contrary to the bloodletting presently underway. Rather it will be the rejection of the generation of men from whom the leaders of this country have been drawn. The major politicians who were politicians before the majority of Kenyans were even born and who even today enjoy inordinate sway in the country. President Mwai Kibaki was born in 1931. Ex-President Daniel arap Moi was born in 1924. They are still doddering onward, unable to relinquish the reins of power they have held tightly for half a century. Theirs is a generation steeped in venality, in tribal arithmetic, in a cynical nationalism and their values have infected those thousands of young people who are roaming the countryside in a killing fury. The young men throwing stones and shooting arrows and the youthful policemen opposite them shooting tear gas and live ammunition are fodder for the failed politics of a generation of old men who may just take all of us to the grave with them.
I was raised to respect my elders and there are many that I indeed respect. But the time has come to assess in the broadest and most personal terms how the generation of leaders that took this country from independence to the bloody and dangerous present has performed. The oldest of this Generation Disaster as it should be called were born in the 1920s and the youngest of the lot in the 1940s. They can be counted as a single generation in the sense that their vision of what constitutes Kenya and their role in it is widely shared.
This generation has played and continues to play a prominent role in politics, in our intellectual life and in the business community. While there are many among them who are capable and well intentioned the defining characteristic of this generation is failure in leadership. It is not enough to lay the blame on a few individuals. This generation of prominent wazees has defined for us the content of our politics and the ethics of governance. They are our very own Boomer Generation except that the boom in this instance is the sound of our dreams and aspirations exploding violently.
It is a popular pastime to compare Kenya’s performance in economic and human development terms with that of the Asian Tigers such as South Korea and Malaysia. How often I have heard it said that these countries in economic terms were neck to neck with Kenya in the 1970s, only for them to surge ahead in the last three decades while Kenya trod water and in many instances retreated in advances it had made.
The approximately 3% of Kenyans who are above the age of 65 and from whom the bulk of Generation Disaster is drawn have led us to an average life expectancy of 55 years compared to South Korea’s 77 and Malaysia’s 72 – according to the online Intute World Guide which allows country comparison of economic data. The economic numbers are even direr. Kenya’s GDP of $38 billion as of 2005 is only a fraction of Malaysia’s $287 billion and South Korea’s $1 trillion. Per capita, Kenyan citizens have only 12% of their Malaysian counterparts’ sum and 6% of the South Korean GDP per capita of almost $23,000. At the turn of the century, 40% of Kenyans were unofficially unemployed compared to fewer than 4% of Malaysians and South Koreans.
These statistics we can suppose with reasonable confidence have deteriorated in the last three weeks and they mean that Kenya can count itself first among equals only if compared to the Congos and Guineas of this world. Our leaders’ vision is only to be lauded if compared to countries that have experienced genocides and decades-long civil wars. Yet this generation which touts its anti-colonialist credentials, its Kennedy Airlifts, its Makerere pedigree and its ambassador-at-thirty mentality has only managed to take us from one disaster to the next.
I grew up hearing about the inferiority of one tribe against the other, on jokes that now seem like macabre warnings of a day when they would become deadly serious. My elders were ever focused on their belly buttons. Not for them to learn from the experiences of other countries – especially the disasters that were unfolding around us and sending refugees by the thousands into our country. Their language was a curious construction. ‘The Kikuyu are now in power,’ they would say even though I hardly saw a penny from this ‘power.’ ‘The Kalenjin have taken power,’ they complained as President Moi stepped into State House, ‘they will finish us now for sure.’ ‘The Luos can never rule this country; the Kikuyus are thieves; the Luhyas don’t know how to take power …’
This curious construction of language is what has given birth to the present crisis and it has underlain the governance of this country since independence. Such a leap into the illogical to our generation of leaders is the very basis of logical thinking when it comes to apportioning power and privilege among themselves. It has served them well this Spokesman-of-the-Tribe role. It is the position that has enabled all those Mercedes Benzes from Goldenberg, Anglo Leasing and the dozens of schemes to rob the Treasury in the name of fulfilling the privileges of tribal mandarin. Though they developed these roles before the majority of us were even born, their thinking has infected us all. Say what you will about the Opposition, but it too is a gathering of Spokesmen of the Tribe challenging a government largely constituted from similar material.
The one thing that these politics will not deliver to this country is the kind of vision and leadership that led South Korea and Malaysia from poverty to wealth. We may continue ‘cleansing’ ‘those people’ from one area or the other and supporting the powerful on the basis that they are ‘our people’ but perhaps we only need to remember that the cost of our lives is borne by individuals. What does it matter that there is a Kikuyu president when you a Kikuyu living in Mathare? This generation of wazees has infected the country with its self-serving obsession on ethnicity as politics and politics as ethnicity. It has lived longer than most Kenyans can expect to live and yet it refuses to exit the stage. We need to say goodbye to Generation Disaster and ask for a divorce from its dystopian vision even if like a bad guest it insists on staying an extra night.
We only need to respect elders who reconcile rather than divide, who serve rather than seating under large tents drinking sodas while we bake in the sun, and who are determined to follow a vision of a rich, tolerant and open-hearted Kenya.
Martin Kimani lives and works in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He has previously been a Teaching Fellow at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in Shrivenham, UK and an Associate of the Conflict Security and Development Group of King’s College of the University of London where he is a doctoral candidate. Martin Kimani is a member of Concerned Kenyan Writers, a coalition whose purpose is to use our writing skills to help save Kenya in this polarised time.
Welcome to “Jacinter’s Orphanage” Support Party
If there is one Kenyan who has been working very hard to help orphans in Kenya, her name is Mrs Jacinter Njoroge. After setting up the “Phylis Memorial Childrens home” in Kenya, Jacinter has ensured that the home provides food and shelter to an ever growing number of destitute children in our country. To help support the home, Jacinter has called a Party on Saturday November 21st in Stockholm and all Kenyans, Swedes, friends and well-wishers are invited, not just to come and have a good time but also to help in making a difference in the lives of orphaned children in Kenya. This is just one example of what Kenyans can do to their country instead of constantly asking what the government can do for them. Well done Jacinter!
Kom ihåg att svara oss senast 17 november.
Karine: karine@karine.se Tel: 070-444 17 40
Lalla: Lalla.lindstrom@kapsylen.se Tel: 070-74 222 73
Eva: wernlid@algonet.se Tel: 070-543 20 69
Jacinta: jacynjoroge@hotmail.com Tel: 070-395 330 10
Överskottet från festen går till
Jacintas barnhem i Kenya.
Pastor Samson Calls “Caai wa Mwana”
Pastor Samson Kariuki: Photo Credit: Keegan Kagwe
Pastor Samson Kariuki and family have been blessed with a baby and on Saturday the 28th of November, Kenyans and friends alike will descend at Pastor Samson’s residence for “Caai wa Mwana”, a traditional welcoming ceremony for the new born.
Through this information piece, all those who are in a position to attend the function are cordially invited at Grytstigen 22 (3rd Floor) in Tumba. To get to the residence, take the surface train (Pendeltåg) to Södertälje then alight at Tumba. From Tumba station, take bus number 836 and alight at Vilstigen bust stop which is the third stage from Tumba Station.
If you are on wheels, drive up to Tumba then take Stovretenvägen then Habrovägen which is the first road on the left. Drive straight then at the junction, turn right and then right again. This will bring you to Pastor Samson’s address. Get out of the car slowly then look for Grytstigen 22.
In case you need further information about the event or in case you are in difficulty finding the address, please, use your mobile phone and call Margaret at 0735505592. Sometimes, Margaret’s number may be busy so feel free to call Josephine at 0704860251 . If both numbers are busy, you can try Pastor Samson himself at 0704523798.
Share this information with a friend and help make this occasion a memorable one especially for Pastor Samson and family which has been very kind and very humble with members of the Kenya-Stockholm community.
Okoth Osewe
Report From Dr. Murunga’s Lecture at Stockholm University
On Monday, 9th November 2009, Dr. Godwin Murunga, who is a lecturer at the Department of History at Kenyatta University, spoke about “Transition to Nowhere? Two Years of ‘Post-Election’ in Kenya” at the Department of Political Science, Stockholm University. He is currently a guest researcher with the Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala. Below is a summary of his lecture.
During Kenya’s post-election violence (PEV) in 2008, popular forces or civil society began a debate around the formation of an interim government that would oversee the transfer of power to Parliament, which would eventually call for another presidential election. The post-election violence (PEV) had offered a new vent to advance the debate, yet it remained at the level of blogs and other media outlets abroad. The popular forces did not include “Wanjiku” (the people) in the debate. Historically, Kenya’s political movements have been steered from the top, and have never included people at the grassroots level. The debate got lost when the mediation talks led by Dr. Kofi Annan began.
Kenya’s civil society had expected that an interim government would implement a radical shift from the status-quo, but the “Political class” found a common interest and opted for power-sharing, to remain in full control. Dr. Murunga decried the fragmented state of Kenya’s civil society which is “episodic in character” and only interested in immediate goals. Unfortunately, only a special segment within the non-governmental organizations (NGOs), remains committed to the democratic process, while the professionals and trade unions don’t play a key role.
Dr. Murunga argued that from the 1980s to 2002, Kenya undertook more economic reforms than political ones, based on recommendations by international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, through structural adjustment programs (SAPs).
However, from 2002 to 2007, there seemed to have been no basis for reforms any longer. There was no focus on what reforms should achieve, nor were they anchored in the people’s voices, if ever. Bilateral and multilateral donors were in favor of President Kibaki’s government and Kenyans were surprised to learn that the country’s World Bank representative was Kibaki’s tenant at his Muthaiga home in Nairobi.
There were calls for institutional reforms during the run-up to the 2007 elections, and many youths were registered as first-time voters hoping that the ballot box would bring the desired change they were wishing for. The political class should have understood the people. The PEV was an indicator of the dissatisfaction among those who had wished for change.
The outcome of the presidential election triggered a serious social protest, since Kibaki’s win was perceived as a civilian coup. Dr. Murunga divided the PEV into three levels: citizen to citizen violence, which was prevalent in the Rift Valley and sections of Nairobi; protests against the rigging; and police brutality in the form of State-sanctioned killing in the name of maintaining “law and order”. Hundreds of bodies which were recovered in Opposition strongholds especially within Luo Nyanza, were bullet-riddled, yet most of them were unarmed. The PEV revealed how the security forces were well-equipped and could be misused by politicians who wanted to retain power.
Ironically, even the Opposition seemed not to disagree in the use of State power to subdue protesters, and thus opted for the mediation talks which led to the formation of the Grand Coalition Government. Dr. Murunga named it the “New Elite Alliance” which is a consensus among the elite who have lost track of the required reforms. Dr. Kofi Annan simply implemented a ceasefire, because control has not shifted from the elite to the people. Many Kenyans are disenchanted with the increasing insecurity and impunity within the Government.
Dr. Murunga argued that there is a “crisis of confidence in Kenya’s leadership” with people questioning why the State has not held to account, those involved in the PEV. The same Government fuels impunity by using the police force for brutality, while in the process of reforming it. He felt that no change can come within the police force as long as it is not separated from State management. However, this thinking was challenged by Mr. Okoth Osewe who wondered how the police can be managed outside the Government structure.
Interventions by Mr. Okoth Osewe
During question time, Mr. Osewe refuted Dr. Murunga’s perception that Kenya was on a “Transition to nowhere”, a subject that was the topic of the day’s seminar. According to Mr. Osewe, the author of Raila Odinga’s Stolen Presidency: Consequences and the Future of Kenya”, Kenya is not in a “Transition” but in a process of “Crisis management” following the rigging of elections by members of the Kikuyu ruling class.
Mr. Osewe argued that a political transition ought to have a known point of departure and a pre-determined destination, a situation that, he said, was not the case in Kenya. He said that the Coalition government was part of managing the Kofi Annan cobbled peace-deal as the country went through the process of reforming key institutions before the next elections.
Mr. Osewe also accused Dr. Murunga of presenting a “one sided” and liberalist analysis of Kenyan politics which saw every political development in Kenya within the framework of the deformed capitalist system of government. Mr. Osewe said that the failure of Kenya’s political system during the last 45 years needed to be acknowledged so that new ideas on how to end the crisis in Kenya could be examined.
While Dr. Murunga said that he had no “magic bullet” to sort out the mess in Kenya, Mr. Osewe said that the bullet is cloaked in revolution. Mr. Osewe said that he could not go into the detail of his solution because the subject of the seminar was not revolution.
Mr. Osewe also opposed Dr. Murunga’s view that Kenyans “were losing the struggle” after the post election violence. According to Mr. Osewe, the democratic struggle in Kenya is a continuous process that, in recent times, has seen the defeat of the one Party dictatorship and the overthrow of the Moi/KANU regime after more than four decades in power.
Mr. Osewe said that the problem in Kenya was that political opportunists, who were also ideologically bankrupt, had taken control of both the struggle in Kenya and the State machine under the Coalition government. Mr. Osewe’s view was that this situation will not change unless Kenyans versed in the science of revolution began to organize for a struggle for power.
Dr. Murunga noted that the Church and a section of civil society have been instrumental in barring the Constitutional review process due to some hidden agenda and self-interest. Reforming all the sectors should be part of the Constitution otherwise impunity will never end in Kenya.
Dr. Jared Odero
Ukweli wa Mambo: Kura Za Maoni za Synovate Zahatarisha Demokrasi Nchini
Makala ya Nguvu ya Hoja kwa KSB Jumamosi, 14.11.2009
na Ndugu Mwandawiro Mghanga
Mwandawiro Mghanga
Mfumo wa vyama vingi Kenya ulipatikana Kenya kutokana na mapambano makali na ya muda mrefu. Katika mapambano hayo, wazalendo, wakereketwa wa demokrasi na haki za binadamu waliwindwa, walikamatwa, waliteswa, walishtakiwa chini ya sheria za kiimla zilizotekelezwa na mahakama bandia, walifungwa, walilazimishwa kuwa wakimbizi wa ndani na nchi za nje na hata wengi waliuawa. Chini ya mfumo wa chama kimoja cha KANU, tawala za Jomo Kenyatta na Daniel Toroitich arap Moi zilitia fora katika kuvunja haki za binadamu za Wakenya kiholela.
Kenya ilitawalwa kama falme za watu binafsi, Marais, ndipo ufisadi, uporaji wa mali ya umma, kinyang’anyiro cha mashamba, ukabila na umbari – haya yote yakakua donda ndugu na sehemu ya utamaduni mwovu wa nchi yetu. Wakenya wakachukuliwa na Kenyatta na Moi kama watumwa ndani ya nchi yao wenyewe huku wakinyang’anywa uhuru wa kusema, kusoma, kukutana, kusambaza maoni yao na kuchagua viongozi wanaowataka. Hata Rais mstaafu Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, ambaye sasa anafurahia matunda ya demokrasi aliyoipiga vita siku zote za utawala wake, atakubaliana nami kuwa maisha chini ya mfumo wa imla wa chama kimoja yalikuwa mabaya na machungu mno kwa Wakenya. Heri haya ya mfumo wa vyama vingi.
Ndiyo kwa sababu lazima tuutetee mfumo wa vyama vingi kwa vyovyote vile. Mfumo wa demokrasi ya vyama vingi ni pato la mapambano ya umma wa Kenya. Lazima tutetee pato hili lilotokana na mapambano huku tukiendelea kudai mageuzi zaidi ya kuboresha maisha ya wengi nchini ambao bado wanaendelea kuishi maisha ya ufukara; njaa; ukosefu wa ardhi, makao na ajira; uzorotaji wa usalama; na kunyanyaswa na makabaila na mabwanyenye. Historia inatuonya kwamba tusipotetea mapato ya mapambano yetu yanayotuongezea demokrasi na uhuru zaidi, kuna hatari ya kunyang’anywa na wapinga maendeleo ambao daima wanaogopa na kuchukia ukombozi wa wengi ambao wananyonywa na kugandamizwa kwa kila hali.
Nasema hivi kwa sababu nina shaka na kura za maoni zinazotangazwa na Kundi la Synovate ambalo hutoa takwimu kuhusu wanasiasa wachache mashuhuri ati ambao ndiyo wanaotarajiwa kuwa Rais wa nchi yetu. Isitoshe, utafiti wao unaofikia uamuazi wa kusema nani kiongozi mashuhuri zaidi kadamnasi ya wananchi unaashiria kutokuwa na nia njema kwa demokrasi ya mfumo wa vyama vingi.
Siamini kuwa Synovate wanaweza kuwa wakifanya kazi ya kutoa takwimu hizi mara kwa mara bila kuwa na dhamira maalamu kuhusu uongozi wa Kenya. Katika nchi za kibepari, kile kinachoitwa kura za maoni ya wananchi ya mara kwa mara hutekeleza lengo maalumu la kuathiri fikra za raia kuhusu jambo fulani au uchaguzi kupendelea viongozi, vyama na sera fulani. Swali ni kwamba, wanaodhamini utafiti wa Synovate ni kina nani na wana nia gani?
Kulingana na ’utafiti’ wa Synovate watu wanaotarajiwa kuwa Rais wa nchi yetu ni Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta, Wiliam Ruto na Martha Karua. Swali ni, je, kwa nini Synovate waliuliza wananchi waliyowauliza kuhusu viongozi hawa tu wakati sasa kuna vyama arobaini na saba ambavyo vimesajiliwa kufungamana na Sheria ya Vyama vya Kisiasa ya 2007? Jibu la swali hili linatuelekeza tufikirie kwamba shabaha ya kura za maoni na utafiti wa Synovate ni kuwafanya Wakenya wafikirie hawana budi ila kuchagua Rais kutokana na wanasiasa hawa watano tu na vyama vyao.
Maana yake ni kwamba, hata ingawa kuna vyama vya kisiasa arobaini na saba vilivyosajiliwa, ati Wakenya watapaswa kuchagua Rais kutoka kwa ODM ama ODM – Kenya, KANU au NARC-Kenya. Hili linaogopesha! Maana ni kama kusema hakuna watu wengine Kenya ambao wanaweza kuwa Rais isipokuwa hawa tu wanaotafitiwa na kuzungumziwa na Synovate. Pia ni kana kwamba vyama vingine vya kisiasa ambavyo vinapuuzwa na Synovate haviwezi kuwa na mgombea wa Rais ambaye atafaulu kufanywa Rais na Wakenya.
Lakini ukweli ni kwamba viongozi hawa watano wanaopigiwa debe na Synovate ni sehemu ya serikali iliyoko na itikadi na siasa zao zinajulikana kwa kila Mkenya. Wao ni sehemu ya uongozi ambao umeshindwa kusuluhisha matatizo chungu nzima ya kisiasa, kiuchumi, kijamii, kiusalama na kiutawala ambayo yanaendelea kuikumba nchi yetu? Wao ndiyo wanaotekeleza sera za ubinafsishaji wa kiholela wa mashirika ya umma na kuzidisha pengo kati ya matajri na maskini. Basi ikiwa itatubidi kuchagua Rais kutoka kati yao peke yake mnamo mwaka wa 2012 kuna maana tayari imeamuliwa hapatakuwa na mabadiliko ya uongozi na sera Kenya? Ati mambo yataendelea kuwa hivi hivi tu?
Maana hakuna mambo mapya yataletwa na kufanywa na kina Raila, Kalonzo, Ruto, Karua na Uhuru ambayo yamewashinda kufanya sasa wakiwa bungeni na serikalini. Swali ni, je, kwa nini utafiti wa Synovate unaendelea kusisitiza kuelekeza wananchi kuchagua Rais kutokana na wanasiasa hawa watano tu na vyama vyao tena wenye itikadi moja?
Utafiti wa Synovate hauwaoni wala hautaki kuwaona wala kuwauliza wananchi maswali kuhusu vyama vingine vya kisiasa na viongozi wao. Ndiyo kwa sababu nakariri, utafiti na Synovate na kura zake za maoni kuhusu viongozi unaelekea kupinga mfumo wa vyama vingi huku ukipendelea vyama vichache vyenye itikadi moja ya kibepari. Kenya tulipigania mfumo wa vyama vingi siyo vyama vichache. Isitoshe, ni kana kwamba ni mbinu za kuwachagulia Wakenya viongozi. Hatutaki kuchaguliwa viongozi tena, tulitoka huko zamani. Pia kura za maoni za upendeleo siyo tu zinapinga demokrasi bali zinaweza kuhatarisha amani na usalama wa kitaifa, hebu tukumbuke ghasia za baada ya uchaguzi wa 2007. Tom Wolf na Synovate mwanisikia?
Mwandawiro Mghanga, Barua pepe: mwandawiro2002@yahoo.com
Invitation to Godfrey & Phillipa Pre-Wedding Funds Drive
Godrey and Phillipa Fund Raising poster in Circulation
Dear Friends, Relatives, Africa Diaspora and members of the Network for Africans Unity in Sweden, on a very personal level, I hereby wish to invite you to come and share with us a wedding fund raising occasion on the 28th November. The Network for Africans and a number of friends are organizing for Mr. Godfrey and Mrs. Phillipa Akanga who have decided to perform the ceremony of wedlock.
Even though the couple is from Ugandan and marriage is between two individuals, in our tradition and culture, the occasion is community’s business .We, Africans living abroad and far away from our usual villages, do constitute the community we need.
Network for Africans unity believes that we should unite in both good times and bad times. I saw this spirit rising during the fundraising we conducted for returning the remains of Ndugu Hussein Ssembatya to Uganda for burial. Africans came from different corners and we raised the funds we needed at once.
To maintain the same spirit, the Network has dedicated the 28th of November to a get together Party which we are arranging in Sollentuna to entertain you and to fund raise for the couple.
The couple will take an opportunity to introduce themselves to those that may not know them, introduce the wedding idea to friends, relatives and the community as well as kick start their fund raising campaign.
As Africans, we feel it is our moral duty to be there for them and to invite my friends like you to come around and be with us as we support Akanga and Philipa to fulfill their wedding wish.
The event will be a very entertaining Party in the Sollentuna library building- the new “Yes We Can” hall and no entrance fee will be required. To recover the cost of hiring the hall, music and security, food and drinks shall be sold at very reasonable prices by the fund raising committee for the couple.
The dividends from the sale of food and drinks will be our contribution to the wedding. You can as well make a financial pledge to the couple at will or buy goods that may be auctioned during the occasion.
Music shall be provided by DJ Jimmy and Dj Dr Mukasa the best DJs in our community. The party shall begin at 09.00pm – 05am
Address: Sollentuna Bibliotekhuset, opposite Scandic Star Hotel
GPS- aniaraplatsen 2
NIGHT BUSES -Tcentralen to; 697 mot Dandyrydssjukhus, 598 Upplands Väsby, 197 Sollentuna (all stop at Aniaraplatsen bus station)
Pendeltåg- take the last wagon from Tcentralen
Yours indeed :
Samson Mande-Network for Africans Unity
Gofrey Etyang- Chairman,
Fund Raising Committee
Raila Picture Harvests 08
Pictures: Keegan Kagwe
Maina Kiai in Stockholm Part 1-5: Kenya Police Cannot Investigate Itself
PART 1: KENYA POLICE CANNOT INVESTIGATE ITSELF
PART 2: KENYA HAS AN ABSENTEE PRESIDENT
PART 3: WITHOUT CONSTITUTIONAL REFORMS, KENYA MAY BE TENSE
PART 4: INDICTMENT AGAINST KIBAKI OR RAILA WILL BE DIFFICULT
PART 5: QUESTION FROM MR. MARTIN NGATIA
Raila Pictuture Harvests 09
Pictures by Keegan Kagwe
Maina Kiai in Stockholm Part 6-7: Impunity Started with Kenyatta’s Land Grabbing
PART 6: IMPUNITY STARTED WITH KENYATTA’S LAND GRABBING
PART 7 FINAL: POLITICAL CLASS FEARS CLASS BASED POLITICS IN KENYA
Letters from Shiku: Walk the Talk and Save Mau Forest
Real destruction of Mau is in tea plantations by fat land grabbers
One of Kenya’s most powerful men has just been in Stockholm. Apart from being powerful and famous, Prime Minister Raila Odinga is one of the leaders who has taken a passionate stand to save the Mau forest. Already millions of Kenyans are starving, rivers have dried up and thousands of animals have perished in drought.
Currently the settlers are in a mad rush to squeeze the last penny from the forest before they are evicted or re-located. This has resulted in aggressive felling of trees. The trees are then sold off as logs in a bid to maximize their profit out of the forest before the government takes a stern move. Thus Mau forest is drying with every click of a second.
The Prime minister should not be shuddered by a selfish slice of Rift Valley MPs who are busy antagonizing his efforts to conserve Mau. These politicians shouting loudest own huge chunks of land which they acquired illegally. These are the same guys who sold part of `their’ land to innocent poor farmers. The list which was tabled in Parliament by the Prime Minister revealed that the beneficiaries of Mau forest are rich and politically connected individuals. Why then should they be compensated?
Noble Laureate Prof. Wangari Maathai recently requested the government to consider the plight of the millions of Kenyans at stake but should not be cowed by the few self-seekers who fail to see the importance of conserving Mau forest and see voters instead of destruction.
Mau forest is Kenya’s biggest catchment area. The rivers that flow from it feed savannah of Maasai Mara as well as four other national parks. The famous “Pink Lake” is in danger because all the rivers that feed it have dried up.
The outcome of Mau destruction has been felt far and wide. The Mara river, which is fed from the Mau forest, is having low water which is threatening to dry up any time soon. The recent wild beast migration from Mara to Serengeti was not spectacular as it has been in the past. No hunting by crocodiles as the beasts leisurely walk in and out.
If evictions are implemented immediately, the forest could be re-stored within the desired time frame of three years. Kenyans need to do whatever it takes to ensure that the Mau catchment is preserved.
Steve Shiku
Download: Draft Harmonized Constitution of Kenya
Dual citizenship is here to stay for Kenyans
The draft harmonized Kenya Constitution appears to be here after twenty years of struggle. Wananchi are supposed to study the document and make further recommendations to the Committee of Experts (CoE). Today, the Kenyan government circulated a copy of the Constitution to Kenyans at home and abroad.
KSB was not left behind and our readers have the opportunity of downloading a pdf version of this all important document. If adopted, the document will put to an end governance in Kenya under a Constitution which was designed under conditions of colonialism and which did not put into consideration numerous aspects of Kenyan life that were bound to change with time.
For example, the Colonial style Constitution did not envisage a situation where Kenyans would leave the country in large numbers to become known as “Kenyans in Diaspora”. An estimated 2 million Kenyans in Diaspora have been putting their case since the struggle for a new constitution began and these efforts seem to be on the verge of producing results.
Although an amendment was made on the colonial style Constitution to accommodate the new political situation that introduced the post of Prime Minister after the PEV, the harmonized draft takes the matter a notch higher and entrenches the PMs Office in the Constitution. It also introduces rules and guidelines for the PMs Office, a good move forward in Kenya’s democratization process.
Another new item in the draft is the recognition of political parties together with a line-up of rules for setting up parties. For Kenyans in Diaspora, there is one important entry.
The issue of dual citizenship is well taken care of and if nothing is changed after the draft goes through a National Referendum, Kenyans will be able to enjoy the privileges of dual citizenship. Those who took up other citizenships before the new Constitution was crafted will have an opportunity to reclaim their Kenyan citizenship, a welcome news for Kenyans in Diaspora. Read more about the Draft by downloading it HERE.
Okoth Osewe
ALTERNATIVE DOWNLOAD LINK:
John Githongo Lecture at Nordic Africa Institute
Public lecture: Tuesday 24 November 2009, 16:00 – 17:30
John Githongo
Venue: The Nordic Africa Institute, Kungsgatan 38, Uppsala
Governance Reform from Below
John Githongo
Zinduko Trust, Kenya
Chair: Carin Norberg, Director, The Nordic Africa Institute
The struggle against corruption in Africa has come to rest partly on the initiatives of individuals of great convictions. However, the struggle for a fair, just and equitable humanity risks losing direction if it relies primarily on individual initiative at the expense of collective action and on modernizing institutions at the expense of transforming their internal work cultures for better state-society relations. John Githongo’s presentation will reflect on the essentials to transforming institutions and the role local level ideas and participation can play. He will illustrate this using the Zinduko and Twaweza initiatives that he currently co-ordinates.
John Githongo is a Kenyan civil society luminary best known for his role in investigating and exposing the Anglo-Leasing corruption scandal in the country. But, in fact, Mr. Githongo combines in his impressive professional work numerous attributes. These include his extended work in the field of journalism for which he took the third prize of the CNN African Journalist of the Year in 1995, several engagements as a consultant and advisor to international organizations, enormous interests in research and publishing and also serving as Trustee on many local and international organizations. Githongo has been Director, Transparency International (Berlin and Kenya) from 1999 to 2002. He is the founding Trustee of Zinduka Trust, an organization that focuses on governance reforms from below.
The lecture is open to all interested.
Welcome!
Susanne Linderos
Information Manager
The Nordic Africa Institute
P O Box 1703, SE-75147 Uppsala, Sweden
Phone: +46 18 56 22 06 (direct)
Phone: +46 18 56 22 00 (exchange)
Fax: +46 18 56 22 90
Visitiors’ Address: Kungsgatan 38, 753 21 Uppsala
About KSB
New Book On Kenya December 2007 Election Crisis: In Circulation
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