ODM-Scandinavia’s Statement On Assassination Of MP David Kimutai
The Orange Democratic Movement – Scandinavia sends deep condolences to the family of the late MP of Ainamoi, Hon David Kimutai Too who was assassinated today Thursday January 31st. Hon Kimutai is the second casualty of a clear strategy of political assassinations designed to reduce the number of ODM MPs so as to deny the Party a numerical advantage in Parliament.
On Tuesday morning, Hon Mugabe Were, the MP of Embakasi, was gunned down outside his residence in a bloody assassination which ODM Scandinavia believes, was planned and executed by government agents sponsored by the corrupt and thieving Kikuyu ruling class seeking to intimidate the opposition and millions of Kenyans who voted against Kibaki on December 27th.
The assassination of Hon David Kimutai comes less than 24 hours after the corrupt Minister of Internal security Professor George Saitoti issued a shocking “Shoot to kill” order to police who were advised yesterday to execute anybody erecting barricades on roads or “carrying offensive weapons”. We take note that Kimutai was shot dead by a traffic policeman.
ODM Scandinavia hopes that Human Rights organizations in Kenya and abroad continue to document the endorsements “to kill” by blood thirsty agents of Kibaki, documentations which, we hope, will be used against the culprits in the Hague in future because crimes against humanity must not go unpunished anywhere in the world.
There is no government in Kenya and what we have is a gang of vicious political gangsters who conspired and stole elections from ODM and who, unable to control the massive pressure from the Mass movement opposed to the emergent Kibaki dictatorship, are resorting to murderous tactics as a matter of political survival. The face of this gang, which believes that Kenya belongs to Kikuyus, is represented by a cabal of nasty thieves and robbers permanently pitching tent at Kibaki’s backyard at State House.
With an open and active campaign of political assassinations by PNU now underway, ODM Scandinavia believes that the situation in Kenya will get worse before it gets better. What is known is that throughout history, there are few examples where a government has stolen elections in broad day light, imposed itself on the people, commanded its security forces to “shoot to kill” innocent civilians and proceeded to govern peacefully. Theoretically, it is difficult to rule a people against their will and the situation in Kenya is no exception. There will be no business as usual.
Despite the emerging and scary tendency of political assassinations, Kenyans have said “No” to rigging of elections and ODM Scandinavia believes that political assassinations and other dirty tactics in the book will not contain the situation if there is no long-term political settlement agreeable to both ODM and the Kenyan people. ODM has already laid its cards on the table with “Kibaki should step down” and a “Re-run of the Presidential vote” being high on the list of options for discussion.
BLOOD OF WERE, TOO AND OTHERS SHOULD “WATER THE TREE OF LIBERATION”
The Assassination of Too is yet another warning as to the kind of characters who have taken over the Kenyan State machine. At each and every stage, and with each and every dirty tactic that comes to light, indications are that Kenyans are in for a long and bitter struggle because Kibaki and his loyalists appear determined to hold on as long as possible.
There are hopes pinned on the Annan talks. But signals indicate that the PNU gang seem to be buying time with the talks acting as a pretext to prolong Kibaki’s illegal occupation of State House, looting of State coffers, entrenchment of dictatorship, promotion of corruption and propagation of a mediocre “Kenya belongs to Wakikuyu” doctrine.
Why is PNU not serious about mediation? After the so called talks began, police sent by PNU have shot dead numerous Kenyans, the illegal government has failed to protect innocent civilians being massacred or evicted from their homes especially in the Rift Valley, Kibaki has said that he is the “duly elected President” of Kenya, tough talking by Police commissioner continues, the Mount Kenya Mafia has revived and armed the murderous Mungiki terror gang, the ban on political rallies continues to stay, the ban on live coverage by the media has not been lifted, two ODM MPs have been assassinated in less than 72 hours while, most importantly, Kibaki has travelled to the AU Summit as “President” even as the so called talks continue.
These are not the actions of a Party seriously interested in resolving the crisis in Kenya and our message is that Kenyans should brace themselves for a protracted anti Kibaki, anti-PNU struggle whose immediate and most serious consequences will oscillate between blood-letting and police brutality on the one hand and political assassinations – State terrorism on the other.
During this struggle, Kenyans will continue to die, property will continue to be destroyed, insecurity will increase while political uncertainty and “Peace” will continue to remain the buzz words in the mouths of Kenyans and the Media. There will be no peace without justice and this should continue to be ODM’s key slogan because Kibaki must go!
ODM SUPPORTERS SHOULD STOP RELYING ON DISTANT OUTSIDERS
It is good that the African Union is trying to intervene in the situation. But, after allowing Kibaki to attend the Summit in Adis Ababa, ODM supporters should begin relying more on themselves as the only major force that will be able to defeat the Kibaki dictatorship. This is the message ODM leadership should be sending to supporters because relying on detached and distant outsiders calling themselves “International community” is increasingly proving to be unreliable and outrightly deceptive to say the least. While the Party should engage serious allies, bogus interventionists speaking unclear languages and chasing after their strategic and political interests should be shunned.
If majority of Kenyans have not yet recognized Kibaki as President, any government which recognizes Kibaki should be “an enemy combatant” in the eyes of the Kenyan people because such recognition amounts to supporting a thief who stole elections and who should be rounded up, defeated, arrested, chained and caged at Kamiti maximum security prison together with his accomplices.
The life and blood of Hon Were, Hon Too and hundreds of Kenyans who have lost their lives since Kibaki stole elections in December and installed himself illegally as President will not be in vain but will continue to water the tree of liberation from the ruthless Kibaki dictatorship currently ruling with an iron fist.
As ODM supporters prepare to bury Were, Too and other victims, let us remember that in every liberation struggle, there is a price to be paid. ODM Scandinavia and others who believe that the current struggle must be won should take solace in the words of the Party leader Hon Raila Odinga who said that ODM is ready “to pay the ultimate price” to win the right of the Kenyan people to change their government through democratic elections. From our view, it’s now or never.
The Party has now paid with the lives of two of its MPs and hundreds of supporters who have been murdered, maimed and crippled by Kibaki’s agents.
ODM-Scandinavia hopes that the Party’s leadership in Kenya will not betray the blood being spilt by Kenyans for the sake of liberation of our beloved country from the hands of corrupt, dirty and blood-thirsty home guards who are in a state of panic as a result of the crimes they have committed against the Kenyan people.
As the struggle continues, the price tag (in terms of blood) for liberation might assume an even upward spiral. May the assassination of Were, Too and hundreds of other Kenyans continue to inspire and embolden all Kenyans struggling for a fundamental political change in our country currently represented by the Orange Democratic Movement.
Martin Ngatia
Vice Chairperson
ODM – Scandinavia Executive committee
ODM-Scandinavia’s Message Of Condolence To Hon Were’s Family
The Orange Democratic Movement – Scandinavia sends deep condolences to the family and friends of the late Hon Mugabe Were, the Embakasi MP, who was gunned down “by unknown people” outside his house in Nairobi on Tuesday at around 12.30 AM. His assassination, which, we believe was political, came at a difficult time when Kenya is plunged into deep political, economic and social crisis occasioned by the rigging of elections by Dictator Mwai Kibaki last year.
Just like more than 1000 Kenyans who have lost their lives since Kibaki stole elections, the murder of Were was a despicable and abominable act which ODM Scandinavia condemns in the strongest terms possible.
After rigging elections, the Kibaki dictatorship proceeded to interfere with Press freedom by banning live coverage of events in Kenya. It then curtailed freedom to free and peaceful Assembly and now, it is under suspicion for involvement in a bloody political assassination of an opposition MP.
That was after the government failed to guarantee the sanctity of life as policemen watched with glee at Naivasha when innocent civilians were being pulled from Public Service Vehicles and murdered by marauding youth armed with pangas and other crude weapons.
The uselessness of life in Kenya under the imposter and fake government which cannot protect its own citizens was witnessed by the roasting of families in their houses in Naivasha after government failed to act. ODM Scandinavia believes that the assassination of Hon Were was a well planned operation in continuation of the process of intimidation and terror to scare Kenyans fighting against the ruthless Kibaki dictatorship.
In Kisumu, evidence abound that Kibaki police is responsible for over 80 executions of civilians in the streets, having shot Kenyans to death under the pretext of “controlling crowds”.
In the Rift Valley, the government has totally failed to stop a dirty and systematic ethnic cleansing of the Kikuyu ethnic group who have been evicted from their land, their homes burnt, property destroyed, thousands injured and more than half a million Kenyans converted into internal refugees in various parts of the country.
As fingers continue to be pointed in the direction of the Kibaki dictatorship following Were’s assassination, we wish to emphasize the fact that those who stand to benefit from the assassination is the fake government which might be on a plot to reduce the number of opposition MPs in Parliament where PNU has a minority MPs. Raila Odinga, the President elect, has already alluded to this strategy publicly.
The possible government involvement in the assassination of Hon Were should underline the fact that the Kikuyu ruling class in control of the State machine is ready to do anything to cling on to power. It is a further warning that the struggle against Kibaki and his cronies will not be easy and is bound to be rife with more danger, deaths, blood shed and political assassinations. ODM Scandinavia has little hope that the real culprits will be brought to face justice because of past experience with Kibaki’s bogus justice system.
When Professor Odhiambo Mbai was assassinated by suspected government assassins a few years ago, the killers were never brought to book. To appeal to a fake government that has just stolen an election and possibly assassinated an opposition MP is the same as telling the robber to investigate himself and deliver justice to the robbed.
There will never be justice in such a situation and it is for this reason that the struggle against the Kibaki dictatorship should continue if Kenyans expect the rule of law now and in the future.
In just a period of thirty days, the illegitimate government has let down the Kenyan people. Killing MPs like Were or shooting Kenyans in the streets after stealing elections and curtailing freedom of Assembly will not stop Kenyans from fighting for freedom.
ODM Scandinavia appeals to Kenyans not to give up this struggle even in the face of this latest assassination which, we believe, was engineered by government agents acting on orders.
Martin Ngatia
Vice Chairperson
ODM Scandinavia
Latest SMS Circulating In Kenya
Mugabe Were was killed by EAGLE SQUAD of C.I.D under the command of I.P Maina. They are hunting for Hon Sirma, Hon Ruto and Hon Kapondi. Be alert. Sambaza.
Okoth Osewe
Opposition MP Shot Dead In Nairobi
A Kenyan opposition MP has been shot dead in Nairobi, police say, adding they could not rule out a connection to disputed presidential elections. Hon Mugabe Were, newly elected MP for Embakasi, was shot dead as he drove up to the gate of his house in Nairobi just after midnight, Eric Kiraithe, Kenya police spokesman was quoted as saying.
Death & Destruction: An Appeal To Kenyans In Stockholm
My heart bleeds today when I read and hear what is happening in our beloved country Kenya. Kenya as we have all known, has been a peaceful country though we have had problems here and there.
Dear Kenyans, it is now a matter of life and death. Our country is collapsing as we watch. I appeal to all Kenyans around the world particularly those in Stockholm that let us forget our tribal differences, join hands together as Kenyans and save our country.
It is not about Raila Odinga, Mwai Kibaki, Daniel arap Moi and other Kenyan leaders. It is about our country. This time, it is not about ODM and PNU. It is about our beloved brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, grandparents, neighbors and all Kenyans affected in the situation.
People are being brutally killed, property is being destroyed and we are here enjoying the peace which the white man has created. We enjoy good facilities, we move freely and sleep peacefully. Kenyans today do not move freely, they sleep in fear while they no longer know what peace is.
I would like to drive some points home by looking at the definitions of the following words: Tribe, Tribalism and Primitive.
The Oxford Guide to the English Language defines “Tribe” as a racial group especially in a primitive culture living as a community under one or more chiefs; set or class of people.
When we look at this definition, we notice that this is exactly what exists in our country and it is unfortunate. We still have chiefs who order the administration police to humiliate people in the village. This definition fits what is happening in our country today.
“Tribalism” is a word which has become a thorn in our flesh. Wikipedia defines tribalism as the very first social system that human beings ever lived in and it has lasted much more longer than any other kind of society. It is sad to note that tribalism is very much alive in our country and it is the source of all the deaths that we are now experiencing.
Wikipedia continues to say that conflict in tribal societies can never achieve absolute scale of civilized warfare. Can one Kenyan come to his or her senses and agree with me that this is really degrading since this definition fits exactly what is happening in our country?
Lawrence Keely in his book “War before civilization” wrote that tribal violence is much more lethal. This is true, when we look at the current happenings in Kenya. It is so lethal that it has cost hundreds if not thousands of lives.
Tribalism as a sense of identity can clearly play a big role in motivation of aggressive wars and some examples are the second world war and the slaughter of the Cathars by the Crusaders in 1209Ad, says Wikipedia. Ordinary Kenyans, are we heading there? Are we about to start our own Kenyan war or our own slaughter?
“Primitive” is a subjective label used to imply that one thing is less sophisticated or less advanced than some other thing. Primitive culture is one that lacks major signs of economic development or modernity. In Kenya today, we believe that a particular tribe is more sophisticated than the other and that is why we think or believe one particular tribe should lead the country.
I believe we are a primitive culture because we lack major signs of developments. Look at our roads. It takes eternity and real hell to travel on our Kenyan roads. Look at our economy, it is down to the rocks. The gap between the rich and the poor is so wide. One does not need to go far, just compare the salaries of our Members of Parliament and Medical doctors. Is it fair? All these pitfalls have been brought about by tribalism.
Tribalism is lethal and it clouds one’s mind. One can never think beyond tribal factors if one is a tribalist. Tribalism makes one proud and mean. It makes one greedy too and that is exactly what is happening in Kenya today.
Dear Kenyans, I call upon you to think wisely. Let us join hands and fight against bloodshed in our beloved country. Let us build a Kenya that will be comfortable for all. At the end of all these, we will all go back to Kenya.
What type of a country do we want to go back to? What type of a country would we like to invest in? What happened to the Kenyan pride? What happened to the most beautiful country in Africa? Kenyans have been known to be hospitable for a long time. How are we known today? What type of image are we projecting to the world?
My plea goes to Kenyans all over the world and particularly in Stockholm. I call upon all Kenyans who love our country to join the new Movement that was formed recently. It is called “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (MOREDEK).
It is not political. We want to look at ways of ending the current bloodshed in our country. We want to end this thorn in our flesh called tribalism and that is why this Movement is relevant. All Kenyans are welcome to join hands and work towards the restoration of democracy and pride in our beloved country.
Our country is in tears, who will save our country? We are the ones to do it and this means acting now.
Chebet Keter.
MOREDEK Writes To Swedish Government
The following download (pdf) is a letter/Press release to Swedish government asking for action on the situation in Kenya.
Okoth Osewe
MOREDEK Not To Attend UHCK Funds Drive
The Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (MOREDEK) received an invitation to attend the January 26th funds drive organized at Bagarmossen Church by the recently formed “Humanitarian Cause for Kenya (UHCK)”.
In view of the complicated circumstances under which the funds drive has been called, MOREDEK would like to take a position in relation to the funds drive.
MOREDEK is a neutral non profit making organization whose main aims and objectives are; to fight for the restoration of democracy in Kenya, struggle for the respect of Human rights following the rigged elections in Kenya and to address the humanitarian crisis following sporadic violence and killings that erupted across the country soon after Mr. Mwai Kibaki was unlawfully installed as President of Kenya.
While MOREDEK appreciates the invitation, the Movement will not be in a position to attend the funds drive because the Movement has not received any official document outlining what UHCK stands for. MOREDEK therefore finds it difficult to engage in joint work at this point in time, given that there has been no discussions between the two groups to establish common points of agreement.
MOREDEK believes that Presidential election in Kenya was rigged and that Kibaki is in power illegally presiding over an equally illegal government that has not been recognized by world governments, the United Nations and other credible International institutions.
We hope that the MOREDEK position will not be misconstrued to mean that the Movement is opposed to the UHCK funds drive now and in the future.
Our members, supporters, friends and sympathizers have express freedom to participate and contribute to the funds drive and other UHCK future activities as individuals.
Regardless of the MOREDEK position, the Movement hopes that there will be openings in the future through which the two organizations will be able to work together as the search for a lasting and peaceful solution to the crisis in Kenya also continues.
Okoth Osewe
Moredek’s Interim Chairperson
Kenya Crisis: A Piece Of Advice To US And British Imperialism
Throughout the 2007 election campaigns in Kenya, the general demeanor of the United States Ambassador to Kenya Mr. Michael Ranneberger suggested that the US government was strongly behind Raila Amollo Odinga for Kenya’s Presidency.
It was therefore utterly petrifying to experience Ambassador Ranneberger congratulate robber Mwai Kibaki minutes after the old man stole the vote in full view of both local and International media. While still at Kenyatta International Conference Center, the crime scene, the Ambassador proceeded to urge Kenyans “to accept the results” and seriously advised ODM leaders to go to court if they were not satisfied with the results.
But that was before the outbreak of macabre violence across the country, merciless slaughter of civilians from both sides and wanton destruction of property as ODM supporters took to the streets in protest. Realizing that they were standing on the wrong side of the conflict, the US government quickly withdrew its congratulatory message to Kibaki as the Ambassador hurried to shift positions to the effect that the elections were dogged by “irregularities during the tallying process”, irregularities which, he said, needed to be addressed.
The Ambassador knew that the vote had been stolen. In fact, the Molo vote was stolen in his very presence at KICC. Despite hard facts and evidence from his European colleagues that showed that Kibaki had rigged elections, the US continued to tell Raila to “talk to Kibaki” to find some kind of political settlement.
A government of National Unity was proposed together with the option of a Coalition government. Even US government Intelligence agencies did not alert the Ambassador that after the hurried congratulatory note to Kibaki by the US State Department, the US Ambassador to Kenya had lost the confidence of ODM leaders while trust in US government’s ability to resolve the crisis had also been undermined in the eyes of ODM supporters who were fighting the war in the streets. Subsequent appearances on Kenya TV stations by the Ambassador were seen as theatre.
Jendayi Frazer, top American diplomat, was jetted in to repair the damage. Unfortunately, she was never briefed that Kibaki had betrayed a deal of a Coalition government with Raila’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) soon after Raila campaigned for Kibaki and made him President with his famous “Kibaki Tosha” declaration.
Frazer was also not updated that Kibaki abused a “Government of National Unity” he created with KANU and Ford People soon after LDP walked away from the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) government. As Frazer drummed the Unity and Coalition government options as a solution to the crisis, little did she know that she was beating the drums to people whose mind set was shifting to “Mass action” as a solution.
WHY IS US GOVERNMENT UNEASY WITH RAILA AS PRESIDENT?
As if that wasn’t enough, the thick-headedness of the American government was played out in its doomed strategy based on the robbed talking to the robber for a share of the stolen property under the terms of the robber with Government of National Unity or Coalition government acting as a platform for negotiations. Kenyans were being told that they could have a new version of democracy where the winner plays the under dog and the big looser calls the shots. It was an insult to the intelligence of Kenyans and African people.
In the end, the Ambassador failed while Frazer returned home empty handed, quietly and without the pomp and publicity that greeted her arrival. In the meantime, the violence, the killings and the shooting by police continued.
From the behavior and actions of the Americans, the Bush administration was largely viewed by ODM to be on the side of some “power sharing deal” which was not selling. Why didn’t the Americans come out forcefully to denounce Kibaki and to tell him to step down especially after massive evidence emerged that Kibaki had rigged elections?
The answer is that Americans are not comfortable with Raila as President of Kenya. Raila had declared that if he seizes power, no Kenyan Muslim will be taken to Guantanamo to be persecuted after being picked from Kenya on suspicion of terrorism. For the Americans, a Raila Presidency carries with it the risk of loosing Kenya as a play ground where their Security and Intelligence services can conduct operations, make investigations, arrest Kenyans at will in the name of fighting terrorism and take them away like captured rats for further investigation away from Kenya where they begin to be referred to as “Enemy combatants”.
The US felt safer with Kibaki who has allowed them free access to all corners of Kenya including the Port of Mombasa which has virtually become American territory. American and British solders routinely play “War games” in North Eastern province where they are known to rape and impregnate young girls at will. In fact, Mombasa is the ultimate “Sex resort” of American solders known for preying on underage girls in exchange for dollars as the Kenyan government looks the other way.
From the pattern of vote casting, Kenyans voted out an old, pre-independence generation of politicians including Kibaki who entered Parliament in 1963. His Octogenarian Vice president was also kicked out.
ODM is a team of a young generation of hot-blooded Kenyans not so much bound by imperialist concerns. The implication here is that the US government is committed to maintaining the Status quo where the old guard has been ruling and playing ball to ensure that the political, economic and strategic interests of American imperialism are safe guarded. To let in a group of new comers led by “A Communist” Odinga is the last development the US government wanted in Kenya. In congratulating Kibaki in the face of rigged elections, could the US government have been afraid of a “generational change” in Kenya’s political leadership?
BRITAIN AND UNITED STATES SHOULD CHANGE SYNTAX
The immature position of the US government has greatly backfired because it has reduced to almost zero the ability of the US government to play a role or even influence events in the current crisis.
Mass action called by ODM will be a major destabilizing force to the Kenyan economy which Kibaki needs to hang on to power. However, the biggest loser will be Western Imperialism also responsible for the ultimate milking of the country resources through multinational companies, unfair terms of trade, political control, unequal lending terms through economic weapons like IMF and World Bank, support of dictators like Moi and now Kibaki and exploitation of the country’s natural and human resources.
If the leading Imperialist countries in Kenya – United States and Britain – cannot take a clear stand that is in line with the popular aspiration of millions of Kenyans who voted for change, they will continue to become irrelevant in the search for solutions to the crisis.
If these countries are in need of serious advice, a recounting or tallying of the vote has become outdated because of tampering by the fake government and other malpractices. The option of a Government of National Unity or a Coalition government between the robbed and the robber is as dead as a dodo.
What is selling is that Kibaki should step down. If the Britons and the Americans are wise enough, they should be calling for a re-run of the Presidential vote. They should also change their syntax and replace the phrase “There were irregularities during the tallying process” with “The votes were clearly stolen by Kibaki who should step down”.
If there is anybody who should be “talking to one another”, it is the Brits and the Yankees who should be discussing the horrendous mistakes they made soon after vote stealing in Kenya as they prepare to make amends which could sound more appealing to the Kenyan voters who feel cheated and who are paying with life and blood to try and reverse the process.
Both Britain and their Yankee counterparts should begin to view and accept Raila as President of Kenya if they want to be on the safe side because the issue is not going away “as had been expected”.
At least, the Brits are showing the way because they have made the first step and said that they do not recognize Kibaki’s government. That is the stuff ODM supporters (who control the streets) would like to hear because it is the way forward.
Okoth Osewe
UHCK Invitation To Fundraising At Bagarmossen Church
The United for Humanitarian Cause for Kenya (U.H.C.K) Interim committee cordially invites all Kenyans, friends and well wishers to a fund-raising ceremony to be held on Saturday 26th January 2008.
The fund-raising is aimed at raising money to assist victims of violence that has been going on in Kenya. The initiative arose a few weeks ago in response to the current humanitarian crisis in Kenya to help suffering citizens. This is just the beginning of what will, in future, be a series of events and actions geared towards the realization of the above mentioned goals.
The fund raising will be held at the Bargamossen church from 14.00 to 21.00, and will begin with a service led by Pastor Samuel of the Bargamossen church, Pastor Tony Muraya also of the same church and Pastor Beatrice of St Klara Kyrkan.
Details of the exact Programme will be relayed this week prior to the aforementioned day.
All Kenyans and friends are welcome to come together and help out our fellow citizens back in Kenya who are in need at this time. For further details, kindly contact the Chairman Mr. Githuku wa Muirani on telephone number 0736779031.
Karibuni!
The U.H.C.K. Interim Committee.
Situation In Stockholm After Election Rigging
Since December 27th, events have been moving so fast and the situation in Kenya also changing at an alarming speed. I have hardly had time to examine the situation among Kenyans in Stockholm which has also been changing with equal speed.
Prayers continue to be held by different denominations, a demonstration has been held outside the Kenyan Embassy in Stockholm, new organizations have been formed, hate SMSes have been circulated by supporters of Mr. Mwai Kibaki, Kenyan bloggers have written and linked up different stories about post election violence, representatives of groups have appeared on Swedish National TV stations to explain the crisis in Kenya, debates on telephone have escalated while Vasa, the Kenyan drinking hole, has been the centre of hot gossip, rumours and dirty propaganda from both sides.
From Reports so far filed by KSB agents in the field, there are three major camps that have emerged in Stockholm. The first one is the camp that believes that the Presidential vote was rigged in favour of Kibaki. Then there is the group that believes that Kibaki won the vote while the third group (dominated by men and women of religion) believes that it doesn’t matter who won or who rigged elections because Kenyans are dying in large numbers and something needs to be done.
The taking of the above positions have led to the creation of two organizations seen to be diametrically opposed to one another. The first group to be formed is called “United for Humanitarian Cause for Kenya” (UHCK). The group has stated in its propaganda that it is purely a humanitarian group and has nothing to do with politics. However, it is headed by Mr. Githuku wa Muirani, the leader of “Kibaki Tena” lobby group which campaigned for Kibaki.
Another top pro-Kibaki personality which sits in the Committee is Mr. Daniel Mwaura, the Chairperson of Narc-Kenya Scandinavia who has been styling himself as a “Kibaki Damu” politician and circulating mountains of anti-Raila emails to contacts in Stockholm. Another key pro-Kibaki personality in the group is Mr. Bryan Njoroge aka Njoro who works with Muirani in the Kibaki Tena Lobby group. Mr. Njoro also runs a pro-Kibaki blog which has become a platform for Raila bashing at every opportunity.
Both Muirani and Njoro have had serious political differences with Mwaura in Narc Kenya, differences which led to their suspension and expulsion from Narc-Kenya soon after they allegedly masterminded an abortive coup attempt against Mr. Mwaura. In the run up to the Kenya elections, Muirani reportedly converted to Christianity, made peace with Mwaura and called for peace and reconciliation among Wakenya in Stockholm. Many Kenyans viewed Muirani’s change of tact as an act of courage because the move (together with his reconciliatory public utterances) amounted to repentance of sins in readiness for a new order.
TWO ORGANIZATIONS SET UP AFTER ELECTION RIGGING
The installation of Kibaki as President has brought together previously warring factions within the Kikuyu community. What has puzzled observers is that despite his conversion to Christianity, Muirani has continued to publish lethal and anti-Raila ramblings which, in the eyes of Raila’s supporters, mean that his newly found Christian affiliations may be a cover up for the sake of making peace with his political enemies within Narc-Kenya and members of the wider Kikuyu community he might have wronged in the past. Muirani is an expert when it comes to manipulating the political emotions of the Kikuyu community in Stockholm and at the moment, what is selling is that members of the “House of Mumbi” are in power “Wapende Wasipende”.
Almost a week after UHCK was formed, the “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (MOREDEK)”, was also set up. Incidentally, MOREDEK did not know about the formation of UHCK at the time the initiative takers sent a message through KSB to attend its inaugural meeting held on Sunday last week. Unlike UHCK which has limited its mandate to humanitarian issues, personalities behind MOREDEK believe that the crisis in Kenya has deep political roots which cannot be ignored.
The agenda of MOREDEK is both political and humanitarian. The Movement has a Committee of seven with myself (also ODM-Scandinavia Secretary) being the Chair. Beryl Otumba, the Secretary, views herself as a Kenyan concerned with the deteriorating democratic and Human Rights situation in Kenya. She has no political affiliations. Other Interim Committee members hail from Uganda, Sudan and Sweden.
An interesting aspect of the emerging organizational arrangement in Stockholm is that Mr. Samson Mande, a Ugandan and worker with the International red Cross, sits in both the MOREDEK committee and the UHCK Committee where he is the Vice secretary.
The permanent position of MOREDEK is that Presidential election in Kenya was rigged and this position is significant because it might define the future relationship between MOREDEK and UHCK in the future. Another key position of MOREDEK is that it is not a pro-Raila group. It believes that the major issues in the situation in Kenya is the open and blatant abuse of hard-won democratic principles which, by virtue of the rigging of elections, means that Kenyans have lost the possibility of changing the Office of President through elections. Violation of human rights is also a key plunk of MOREDEK whose leadership recognizes the need for humanitarian assistance by different organizations inside and outside Kenya.
DIFFERENT POSITIONS AT CANDLE LIGHT AND DEMO AT EMBASSY
The good news is that MOREDEK is seeking to work with UHCK although the key problem is that there is no conduit at the moment to facilitate “talks between the two groups”. The view within MORDEK is that Kenyans must come together to address the democratic, humanitarian and human rights aspects of the crisis in Kenya regardless of their ethnic origin or political affiliations.
So far, there is no evidence to show that there is animosity between Kikuyus and other ethnic groups in Stockholm. There have been incidences where it is clear that there is ethnic polarization but only at the political level.
For example, a “Candle Light” that was organized at Sergels Torg a few days ago was never attended by Luos and a KSB agent reported that the handful of attendees were mainly Kikuyus. A Kenyan from the Luhya community who attended the Candle light, was reportedly rebuked by a top Narc-Kenya official at the function, forcing him to leave. He was accused of being pro-Raila. Likewise, when a demonstration was organized at the Kenyan embassy in Stockholm by ODM-scandinavia, many Kikuyus boycotted the function because they are comfortable with Kibaki as President of Kenya.
At the personal level, nothing has changed much and it could be safe to posit that Kikuyus with friends from other communities are unlikely to cut off these links because of the situation in Kenya. In the same token, many Luos say that they do not believe that the rigging of elections will cost them their long standing Kikuyu friends in Stockholm.
There is bitterness among Luos in stockholm that Kibaki has sent security forces specifically to kill Luos and other pro-Raila youth in Kisumu and other parts of the country. Similarly, there is equal bitterness among Wakikuyu that members of their community are being killed by other communities in different parts of Kenya.
However, the political consciousness appears to be high among Kenyans in Stockholm where those I have spoken with think that it is unlikely that hatred between communitieswill develop as a result of the situation in Kenya.
What is certain is that the political differences will remain with pro-Raila Kenyans insisting that elections were rigged and pro-Kibaki groups insisting that Kibaki won. Some Kikuyus have privately admitted to me that Raila won elections although they believe that they have to stick to Kibaki as the winner for the sake of not antagonizing fellow Kikuyus. In other words, private and public positions have emerged in the situation and this is the reality in Stockholm upende usipende.
At the end of the day, both UHCK and MOREDEK need to put aside serious areas of disagreements and find common points where agreements can be reached in the interest of Kenya as a Nation.
Okoth Osewe
MOREDEK On Swedish National TV
Beryl Otumba, the Interim Secretary of the recently launched “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (MOREDEK)” has, this morning, appeared on Swedish National TV 1 Channel to clarify the situation in Kenya where the opposition has been banned from organizing public rallies in total violation of Freedom of Association enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution.
Beryl told viewers that the restoration of democracy and respect of human rights in Kenya are key issues that form part of the solution to the crisis. She said that the main problem is the rigging of elections by Kibaki, pointing out that ODM is not in a position to control what millions of Kenyans could do in the process of protesting in the streets. She welcomed the fact that EU is in the process of making an intervention in the situation.
MOREDK’s Executive committee is meeting today in Stockholm to evaluate the situation following ODM rallies yesterday and today. The position of the Movement is that elections were rigged in Kenya and part of MOREDEK’s agenda is to put pressure on both the Swedish government and the International community to take action against the Kibaki dictatorship now killing innocent civilians using security forces. More than 70 Kenyans have so far been shot dead in the city of Kisumu while the death toll across the country as a result of the rigging has now risen to around 700.
Okoth Osewe
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UHCK Leaders Should Not Personalize Its Activities
As I was sleeping at KSB State House, a security alert was dispatched that Saidimu ole Ngais, the President of Chama Cha Mwananchi and Secretary General of the newly launched United for Humanitarian Cause In Kenya (UHCK) had fired an e-mail propelled missile in the direction of KSB headquarters.
Ole ngais’s beef is that as Interim Chairperson of the recently launched Movement for Restoration of Democracy In Kenya (MOREDEK), I am personally responsible for the decision by MOREDEK not to attend the UHCK harambee held on Saturday 26th January.
Ole Ngais is slowly emerging as a Kenyan in Stockholm constantly searching for “enemies” he needs to fight and in the process, he is picking on anybody. Before his tirade directed against my person in an email, he took issue with Mr. Daniel Mwaura, Chairperson of Narc-Kenya, attacking the Kenyan ruthlessly and without proper reasons.
To make sure that his attack is “felt all over”, he copies private email exchanges to members of his mailing list, as part of his exhibitionist strategy. Some mails even find their way in gutter blogs thirsting for material to keep them running.
In an email circulated to Kenyans in Stockholm, the “Massai worrior” advised that I should “chill down” and attend the harambee at Bagarmossen. While giving his attack on myself a personal orientation, he lectured me on what I need to do and what I must not do in a “teacher-pupil” kind of conflagration.
Let us look at the facts. MORDEK announced publicly that it was not going to send any representative to the UHCK harambeee. This decision was taken by members in a meeting held on Sunday the 21st January and the Committee was given the responsibility of releasing a Statement stating the MOREDEK position. As the Chairperson of the Movement, I signed the Statement which was then released.
CONCERNS
Both Ole Ngais and Brother Samson who sit in the UHCK Committee were invited by myself through telephone to attend the meeting and update MOREDEK members about developments in UHCK and how the two organizations could work together. Some leading members of MOREDEK had hoped that attendance by UHCK representatives of the meeting could even increase chances of public debates about the crisis in Kenya and answer some questions which were still hanging. Both Ole Ngais and Samson failed to attend the meeting. It is at this meeting where a discussion on the MOREDEK position in relation to the UHCK harambee also took place and a decision taken that although MOREDEK would not be represented at the harambee, members were free to attend it on a personal capacity or send their contributions.
At the time the funds drive was called, there were several issues which were being raised informally by MOREDEK members which needed clarification and in the absence of such clarifications after UHCK members failed to honour invitation to the meeting, MOREDEK members decided to wait for further contacts. This kind of procedure should be normal in any serious organization or Movement.
For example, there was the issue of fund destination which had not been made clear in the invitation letter received by MOREDEK. According to informal reports close to UHCK Committee, funds raised at the harambee were to be channeled through the International Red Cross.
However, other Intelligence reports gathered by myself indicated that a separate account had been opened by the Bagarmossen Church and that it was through this account that funds would be channeled to Kenya. Later, it emerged that funds would be channeled through a Bishop in Nakuru.
I am not writing here on behalf of MOREDEK because I have no such mandate but answering Ole Ngais who published his attack on me at his blog. The question that remained unanswered is the contradiction on the Red Cross-Bagarmossen Church account when it came to channeling the funds to Kenya.
Fund raising is a sensitive issue in Stockholm and the latest controversy involved a case in which Mr. Guthuku wa Muirani, leader of Kibaki Tena Lobby group, had to circulate a Western Union receipt after critics pointed out that funds that had been raised in aid of Muirani’s relatives who were killed in the United States never reached its destination. In the absence of a clear account on how the raised funds would reach Kenya, MOREDEK decided to wait and this position should be perfectly normal.
Another issue which required explanations touched on the composition of UHCK Committee. Although the new group was being sold as a “Non political humanitarian group” which had been born at Bagarmossen church by the faithful, it’s leadership was populated by a coterie of hard-core pro-Kibaki cranks who celebrated soon after Kibaki rigged elections in Kenya.
For example, the Chairperson of UHCK is Mr. Githuku wa Muirani, the leader of Kibaki Tena Lobby group while Mr. Daniel Mwaura, the Chairperson of Narck-Kenya Scandinavia and a “Kibaki damu personality” in Stockholm, also sits in the Committee. Mr. Bryan Njoroge, another leading member of the Kibaki Tena Lobby group who also runs a pro-Kibaki, anti Raila Blog also sits in the Committee.
MANY ORGANIZATIONS GOOD FOR DEMOCRACY
This Committee composition had cast aspersions on the profile of UHCK as a “neutral organization” with the major argument being that if it was neutral, why is it that pro-Kibaki stalwarts are crowding its leadership with known and leading members of Bagarmossen church like Brother Samson and Pastor Tony Muraya taking a back seat?
These are questions which some MOREDEK members like myself expected answered in an open meeting. The view is that if pro-Kibaki operatives were in the Committee, pro-ODM activists could also have been accommodated to give it a neutral outlook.
If you don’t get it, it is like the church in Kenya setting up a humanitarian organization to help raise funds for clash victims, inviting Kibaki to lead it then arguing that the “Church group” is absolutely neutral. Tell that to the birds of the air.
MOREDEK has its own independent Humanitarian wing which concerns itself purely with Humanitarian and Human Rights issues. This wing is being led by Mr. Samson Mande, a Ugandan national who also sits in the UHCK Committee and Mr. Nixon Andu, a Sudanese national. MOREDEK does not therefore need UHCK to conduct humanitarian work in Kenya and the decision by MOREDEK not to participate in the UHCK harambee was not out of any ulterior motive. There is nothing strange in having two different Kenyan humanitarian organizations in Stockholm as long as such organization’s intention is to help victims of the post election violence.
There are thousands of humanitarian organizations doing the same job in Kenya although under different circumstances, just like there are three different Help organizations in Stockholm focusing on assisting needy children in Kenya. These are The Phylis Children’s Home led by Mrs Jacinter Njoroge, The Anna Lindh Network led by Pastor Beatrice Kamau and Beryls Hope led by Ms Beryl Otumba. Jacinter’s Home, located in the Rift Valley, has been hard hit with the crisis in Kenya. KSB has gathered that she is fund raising alongside the UHCK and there should be no problem with this.
This does not overrule the fact that any joint work between two humanitraian organizations could be much more effective. However, before such joint work can continue, there has to be rules of engagement and anybody who questions this view does not understand the art of Networking on a serious scale especially when money is involved.
No organization should try to monopolize humanitarian activities in Stockholm when it comes to the crisis in Kenya. The other day, ODM organized a demonstration outside the Embassy to protest the rigged elections. However, the Party did not complain or accuse other Kenyans who did not attend the demo of being tribalists or refusing to work with ODM. This is how democracy works and the existence of different groups “doing the same thing” is democratic and healthy. Those reading too much into the MOREDEK-UHCK harambee position like Ole Ngais are simply myopic.
After KSB emerged at WordPress in July 2006, several Kenyans based in Stockholm later copied KSB and set up their own blogs. This was positive. It could have been wrong or myopic for KSB to have began complaining as to why these Kenyans were not channeling their info through KSB. UHCK is being used by the likes of Ole Ngais to spread hatred and to victimize Kenyans who are not part of it. UHCK should promote peace among Kenyans, not allow its leaders to personalize its activities through unwarranted attacks propagated via email.
Okoth Osewe
January 28, 2008 Posted by makozewe | Commentary | Leave a Comment