Kenya Stockholm Blog

Kenya Crisis: Pro-Democracy Group Formed In Sweden

On Sunday, a follow up meeting of a meeting held on Friday was held in Stockholm by Kenyans and friends of Kenya to chart out the direction of the struggle against rigging of elections in Kenya. The meeting, which was attended by 27 people from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Sweden, set up a group called “Movement for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (MOREDEK).

The task of MOREDEK will be to fight for the restoration of Democracy and Human Rights in Kenya following the stealing of the vote by Mwai Kibaki. The group’s position is that Kibaki did not win the December 27th elections and that Raila Odinga was robbed of victory. The group intends to engage in mobilizations in Sweden and the world to engage the International community to get involved in the struggle to restore democracy which is under threat in Kenya.

Different working groups to deal with different issues were formed as part of the group’s strategy to deal with issues confronting it. These groups will cover the following areas: Media, Humanitarian and Human Rights, Political Parties and Swedish Institutions, International Relations, Non Governmental Organizations and European Union. Individuals present volunteered on areas where they could be of help.

A five man Interim Committee was set up to oversee the work of the working groups while it was agreed that the group would have regular meetings to discuss its activities and progress. The following were appointed to head the Committee. Okoth Osewe, Beryl Otumba, Sussane Wise, Andreas Bohlin, Nixon Andu and Per Karlsson. The Committee was given the mandate to help consolidate MOREDEK and to prepare for elections.

The following will head different groups: Esther Anyango and Andreas Bohlin (Media), Samson Mande and Nixon Andu (Humanitarian and Human Rights issues), Beryl Otumba and Okoth Osewe (International Relations), Godfrey Etyang  (Political Parties and Institutions), Sussane Wise and Mrs Hellen Opwapo (Non Governmental Organizations) and European Union (Per Karlsson and Chebet Keter).

It was agreed that the working groups will remain open as MEREDEK makes its agenda known and recruits new members interested in working within the group. It was also agreed that MEREDEK would reach out to other Kenyans, friends of Kenya, organizations and interested parties who want to act for a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Kenya.

The Interim committee was given the task of working out a Constitution outlining the aims and objectives which were discussed at the meeting while it was also agreed that a brief Press release about the group would be prepared by the Media group as soon as possible for circulation.

Members of the group observed that the crisis in Kenya is not purely a result of ethnic rivalries but more about a savage attack on democracy in Kenya which had deprived Kenyans the right to change their government through elections.

The group will meet again on Sunday at 15.00 hrs while members of the Interim committee will meet on Thursday this week to co-ordinate work.

Others who attended the meeting were: Elisha Ogembo, Maximilian Muwuluzi, Dan Aroka, Ruth Bohlin, Sospeter Odhiambo, John Agunda, Gillian Connet, Grace Nyambura, Antony Adiwa, Florence Odhiambo, Joyce Khamugisha, Carolin Odera, Tonny Odera and Martin Ngatia.

Okoth Osewe
 

January 14, 2008 - Posted by makozewe | News & Analysis