Mwandawiro Mghanga Defends Cuban Human Rights Record
To: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Dear High Commissioner,
Ref: Testimony for Cuban Good Record on Human rights
I am writing on behalf of Kenya – Cuba Frindship Society (KCFS), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and also as a former Member of Parliament of Kenya who served in the Parliamentary Committee for Defence and Foreign Affairs, 2003 – 2007. In these capacities I visited Cuba three times and while there travelled in several places and met many people officially, in various institutions and in the streets. In Kenya I have hosted many ordinary Cubans. Again, as one of the persons who was in the forefront in the struggle against dictatorship and for democracy and human rights in Kenya, I have suffered arrest, torture, detention, imprisonment and exile. That is why I am a committed activist of democracy and human rights and while in Cuba, I always took particular interest in how the people of the country live.
I therefore authoritatively testify that in Cuba, democracy and human rights are not abstract concepts that benefit only the class of the few rich while hoodwinking the oppressed and exploited class of the majority. Democracy and human rights in socialist Cuba are part and parcel of real life in theory and practice. The Cuban Revolution freed, saved and strengthened the Cuban nation. The Cuban people broke the yoke of dependency, institutional racism, women’s discrimination, nepotism, political corruption, murders and political disappearances, illiteracy, chronic unemployment, insalubrity, ideological domination, imposition of pseudo-cultural patrons which are alien to it, as well as of hunger and misery.
After bitter experiences with neo-colonial capitalism, the Cuban people struggled for social and national liberation that succeeded in 1959 and initiated the road of establishing socialism. Since then, the courageous and educated people of the Island nation have continued to build socialism while standing firmly with their leaders in defending their revolution from imperialism led by the USA. Socialism in Cuba is not imposed upon the people by the leaders but is a popular political, economic, social, cultural and ideological system consciously chosen and sustained by the citizens of the country of all walks of life. It is a faithful expression of the will of the Cuban people and nation in the exercise of their legitimate right to self-determination.
In fact, Cuba continues to prove to the world that it is not true that democracy can only take the form of multipartism and the content of capitalism. The one party democracy in Cuba is more participatory and real than that found in capitalist countries. For it is based on a society based on equality and social justice. Every citizen is not only subject of the political power, but also beneficiary and co-owner of the patrimony, the riches and the nation’s fundamental means of production. Every citizen has access to the basic services such as education, health, social assistance and security without any kind of discrimination.
Finally, the brutal and unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed against Cuba by the United States of America is not only a gross violation of the democratic and human rights of the Cuban people, but also a crime against humanity. The blockade that has not succeeded in making the Cuban people abandon their socialist way of life must be brought to an end in the name of democracy and human rights.
Sincerely yours,
Mwandawiro Mghanga, Chairman SDP, Chairman KCFS
Over Ksh 60,000 Raised For Landless Wachira Kirira
ODM-Scandinavia and Narc Kenya-Scandinavia have raised a total of Ksh 64,000 in support of
George Wachira Kirira
Mr. George Wachirira Kirira whose land was grabbed recently by Mr. Joe Maina Ruthithi under circumstances that both ODM-Scandinavia and Narc-Kenya Scandinavia believe are shady.
The cash, which was raised in Stockholm last Tuesday, was sent to Mr. Wachira on Friday 8th August via Western Union to help him cope with his difficult condition following the demolition of his house by State authorities acting in cahoots with Mr. Ruthithi, the man responsible for Wachira’s problems.
In a text message, Wachira’s son thanked Kenyans who helped raise the money and expressed the family’s appreciation of the political, economic and moral assistance from both ODM and Narc-Kenya Scandinavia.
Wachira’s land, which is valued at Ksh 4 million was taken over by Ruthithi as compensation for Wachira’s failure to pay a fine of Ksh 80,000 imposed by a Court in an assault case presided over ten years ago. At the time Wachira’s land was seized, the fine had accrued an interest which brought the total amount to Ksh 240,000.
According to ODM-Scandinavia and Narc-Kenya Scandinavia represented in the Wachira campaign by Mr. Martin Ngatia (Vice chairperson) and Mr. Daniel Mwaura (Narc-K Chairperson), the taking over of Mr. Wachira’s land was fraudulent because the value of the land is far much higher than the amount Wachira is alleged to be owing Mr. Ruthithi.
In a statement released last month, the Scandinavian based branches of ODM and Narc-Kenya said that Mr. Ruthithi is a known extortionist who simply exploited the court case to take over Wachira’s land and render the old man and his family homeless.
“We are seeking the intervention of both the Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki to save Mr. Wachira’s land who has been rendered homeless”, Mr. Ngatia told KSB. The two parties are also seeking the intervention of Mr. James Orengo, the Minister of Lands and Settlement.
The parties have resolved to fund raise in aid of Mr. Wahira. The idea is to raise the Ksh 240,000 allegedly owed by Wachira so that he can get back his land and lead a normal life.
Okoth Osewe
Hot Gossip And Kenya Stockholm Harambees – Part 1
As the summer heat began to regress, a season of “Open Houses” and harambees in Kenya-Stockholm also began to open up following a series of bereavements among Kenyans in the city. The trend has not relented because this Saturday the 9th of August, a harambee has been called by the St Klara Church to raise funds for the transportation to Tanzania of the body of Mr. Emanuel Seka, a 26 year old Tanzanian national who lost his life last week after drowning in a lake at Södertölje in the suburbs of Stockholm.
Emanuel was a special individual to a section of Kenyans who knew him in life. He was the Youth leader at the Swahili congregation at St Klara Church where many Kenyans worship on Sundays. The harambee will be led by Pastor Beatrice Kamau of St Klara Church who was one of the last people to speak to Emanuel last Wednesday before he left us without notice.
The Harambee will be held at Skarpnäck Alle 31-34 from 12.00 – 22 hrs and will bring together East Africans, friends, sympathizers and well wishers who have been so much touched by the sudden demise of Emanuel, a jolly boy who looked like he had the future set before him following his arrival in Sweden about a year ago before death struck on a Sunny afternoon.
Last Saturday, Mrs Nancy Osumba, a Kenyan, had a harambee at her residence in Rinkeby following the demise of her step daughter in Kenya. The 40 year old mother of five passed away after an attack by high blood pressure, a disease she had been living with for years since her husband died ten years ago.
Funeral harambees have become more of personal engagements for many Kenyans in Stockholm than official mass functions they used to be and of late, attendance has been strictly based on personal Networks.
According to a survey conducted by KSB, some Kenyans believe that people should not organize harambees simply because a relative has died in Kenya. The thinking among these Kenyans is that funeral harambees should be reserved for close relatives such as a brother, a sister, a father or a mother.
The argument is that if everybody were to call harambee because a cousin, an uncle, an in-law, a step father, an aunt, a grandpa, a neighbour and what have you amekitoa, then the Kenya-Stockholm community will be kept extremely busy digging into their wallets “round the clock”, an undertaking which, some Kenyans told KSB, is impossible under the difficult economic conditions in Stockholm.
The argument is that at any given time in Kenya-Stockholm world, someone is losing a relative and that if every Kenyan were to call a matanga-related harambee, some Kenyans in this city may have to be evicted from their homes for failure to pay rent if they have to attend every harambee that pops up.
AVOIDING HARAMBEES BECAUSE OF INKASSO PROBLEMS
Others may have to go without Internet connections at home and read KSB at work or elsewhere while others may have to archive their mobile phone sets because of harambee related bankruptcies that might render them incapable of paying their bills, detouring to the liquor store or having one at Vasa to gather the latest hot gossip in town.
Another Kenyan told me that some harambees just embarrass him because a very close friend calls a harambee following the death of a niece who passes after a long illness. His problem is that if he doesn’t attend because his classification is that it is a “bogus harambee”, his absence may destabilize the friendship while if he attends, he might end up contributing nothing because his economy is on the rocks with some bills hanging dangerously at Kronofogden where he has a “payment program” while others are lazing around at Inkasso and he has to make several phone calls to prevent these bills from acquiring wings to fly to the Kingdom of Kronofogden.
If you are not versed in the terminolgy, Inkasso is where the Swedes retire your bill when you first become unable to pay it after two warnings and Kronofogden is the agency that could descend on your door-step to collect your valuables in the house for sale to recover debts if you fail to respond to Inkasso demands. Kronofogden can also attach your salary and make life impossible for you in Sweden. A bill of 200 kr could spiral to 1000 kr within two months and even if you manage to pay later, you will have a computerized “economic stigma” on your record for five years making life hell on earth here at the North pole.
Because of the strong belief among some Kenyans that harambees should not just be called because someone you are related to has kicked the bucket, DJ Jimmy had problems recently when his mother in law passed away and he called a fund raising. Anti-Jimmy propagandists called an emergency meeting at a joint in Sveavägen to analyze the situation and to chart out a response to the harambee.
When they emerged, they were not even concerned that Jimmy had lost a dear In-Law. They claimed that Jimmy did not have an In-Law in the first place because he was single. To spice up the tale, they claimed that Jimmy was probably one of the most well known bachelors in Stockholm whose seductive powers only rivals those of another Kenyan whom some ladies nick-named Mufyekaji.
According to experts who spoke to KSB, the Kenyan had allegedly downloaded almost every pant among Kenyan ladies in Stockholm while he is also known to have installed some kids among Swedish women. The ladies came to “respect him”, not because of the way he had treated them but because of his dexterity in soothing romantic nerves and constructing mega highways leading to the bed room. They were falling like trees being swept by typhoon Fyeka and before they knew it, they had climaxed. It is for this reason that they nicknamed him Mufyekaji. Others called him Kifagio (broom) while others thought he was a “sweeper”.
“REWINDING A CASE OF DEATH” TO FUND-RAISE FOR HOLIDAY IN KENYA
Despite the Kenya-Stockholm harambee politics, Kenyans still attended the Nancy harambee together with the Jimmy harambee even though those who passed away did not fall into the bracket of “close relatives” as far as some Kenyans are concerned.
Jimmy later called KSB to clarify his position and to attack those who were peddling lies that he faked the death of his Mother in Law to cone Kenyans out of their money. This is how serious it got and at a time when a fellow countryman was in deep mourning.
I attended both “Open Houses” and interestingly, no one was talking about the supposed controversial nature of the “Open Houses”. Instead, the discussions focused on social life in Stockholm, politics and culture and everyone seemed happy. But once people left the venues, stories began to surface. This is how some Kenyans operate. They can’t face you and say that this or that is not correct but once the event is over, they begin to say that “I don’t know what is wrong with Nani these days. He shouldn’t have called that harambee…”. If you are new, welcome to Kenya Stockholm.
One day, Githuku wa Muirani called a harambee because he had lost three relatives in the United States. People rushed to Muirani’s residence to pray, console the family, donate cash and show their solidarity. But once the harambee was over, maneno began to spread – eti those who died in the US were not Muirani’s relatives and that the Prayer meeting that was called by the Kenyan was designed to cone Kenyans out of their money through the exploitation of a tragic case of murder.
Imagine, Muirani had to release a statement through KSB to answer Kenyans who claimed that the 8,000 kr or so that was raised was never even sent to Kenya in the first place but was converted to private use by Muirani.
A copy of a Western Union receipt had o be scanned and published at KSB to silence these critics. After the publication of the evidence that cash was sent, critics went silent. That is Kenya-Stockholm. The propaganda professionals retreated to await for another opportunity to get to work.
Okoth Osewe
Hot Gossip And Kenya-Stockholm Harambees – Part 2
It did not take long. Haya. A Kenyan lost a sister and called a harambee. If we go by the rules, this should have been a genuine case where nobody was supposed to say anything. What happened after more than 10,000 kr was raised?
Maneno came out that the Kenyan’s sister never actually died but that the Kenyan had simply tricked Kenyans in order to raise funds to go for holiday in Kenya. The only “evidence” that was produced was talk that the Kenyan had travelled with his girlfriend to Kenya after the harambee to enjoy life.
For some Kenyans who never go to sleep, they could not overstand how the Kenyan could have travelled to Kenya with his fiancée because since he was faced with a funeral, he could have used any extra money to fund the funeral instead of buying an extra ticket and travelling together. To make matters even worse, some Kenyans claimed that it is true that the Kenyan’s sister died but that it was a long time ago and that the Kenyan “rewinded the death” because he had an agenda. Holy smoke!
THE CASE OF A PLASMA TV “BOUGHT WITH HARAMBEE MONEY”
That was after another Kenyan organized a harambee to raise funds for a children’s home. A disco was organized and the thing was well attended. In fact, it was one of the best moments of solidarity with music, culture and fun. But after people dispersed, the propagandists went to work and when they came back with their package, they claimed that cash that was raised was never sent to Kenya.
Interestingly, they knew what the Kenyan had done with the money – bought a plasma TV. The argument was that the Kenyan never came back in public to tell them exactly the amount that had been raised while they also claimed that the Kenyan went silent on the children’s home immediately after the harambee. Another “piece of evidence” was that the Kenyan bought a Plasma TV soon after the harambee. They expected updates about the number of kids who had been sent to school, fed, clothed etc but that instead, spies reported that the Kenyan had entered into the League of “Kenya Plasma” addicts.
Recently, a Kenyan lost a sister and called an “Open House”. As usual, this was another “genuine harambee” and one should not have expected any shit talk but guess what? People came and changad about 8,000 kr but after they left the place, there was a “short period of observation” when nobody said anything then things suddenly exploded.
Stories emerged that the Kenyan had “eaten the money” because she never made any trip home to bury her sister. What was the big argument in this case? That a sister had passed away, Wakenya came and changed 8 thao and she never went home despite the fact that the money was enough for a ticket.
If she didn’t have enough money to spend once she arrived, critics even theorized on what she could have done – told home people that she used all the money she had to buy a ticket and that she had no extra money to spend on anything because her main agenda was to attend her sister’s funeral. “Home people should have accepted this kind of argument”, said a critic who called KSB.
Obviously, the next logical explanation is that this Kenyan may have sent the little amount that was raised to Kenya to help with funeral expenses but if you ask critics, they want proof. Do you mind what someone does with money once you accept to contribute or do you contribute then leave the person to deal with his/her conscience regarding the money raised? The message here is that once Wakenya wamechanga because a brother or sister has died and the amount is enough for a ticket, you have travel upende usipende.
The brother of another Kenyan who lives in Uppsala died. Some Kenyans traveled all the way to contribute. What I don’t know is how some Kenyans in Stockholm knew that the Kenyan never travelled home because Uppsala is far. Stories were soon in the air that the Kenyan haku safari and that he was seen buying bottles of whisky at the System (liquor store) at about the time people changaad. You then begin to hear stories like “Wakenya wanagongwa…”. I have to go now.
GOING UNDERGROUND INSTEAD OF TRAVELLING FOR FUNERAL
On another note, I rarely hear negative talk about a bereaved Kenyan who calls an “Open House” then travels for the funeral. It looks like the only way to be on the safe side is to call an Open House then make sure you travel to Kenya otherwise watakusema. When a Kenyan lost his mom, he called an Open House in Skågos then travelled home. I have never heard anything. That was after another Kenyan lost a brother and called Wananchi at Lidingo. He travelled to Kenya immediately and I have never heard anything.
A Kenyan who lost his father and failed to travel had his own problems when he was seen buying a chicken at a store at about the same time he was supposed to have been mourning with relatives in Kenya. Whoever saw him soon got busy on the phone and when people tried to call him, he refused to answer the phone, probably because he was “officially” supposed to be in Kenya.
According to this piece of gossip, the Kenyan had planned to go underground for two weeks then surface but the problem is that he never stocked the fridge and never calculated that someone who heard him say that he was paying for a ticket the following day would be privy to information that he was seen buying chicken at a local store. This appeared to have been a genuine case because he said he was travelling and people raised enough money for a ticket.
We have heard about the “Outreach Ministry”, the “Ministry of the Wings of Love” and now, welcome to the “Ministry of the Legs of Gossip” in Kenya-Stockholm. The committee will soon organize a symposium to discuss “The General Trends in Kenya–Stockholm Gossip” and the Guest of Honour will be the Minister of Gossip and Rumour Collection Professor Sambaza Maneno. Keep tuned.
Okoth Osewe
Invitation To “Arise And Shine” Conference
Friends: the Organizing committee and the “Outreach Ministry” cordially invites you to the “Arise and Shine” Conference with International speaker, Bishop Karanja of the “Wings of Love” Ministry. The meetings are as follows:
Friday 15th August 2007 at Bagarmossen Church from 17.30-20.00 hrs.
On Saturday 16th August, we will have a Thanks-giving Nyama choma Crusade for the God answered prayer to our beautiful country Kenya from 14.00 hrs at Fittja Beach. The Nyama Choma will depend on the wheather.
On Sunday 17th August, we will have a service at Bagarmossen Church from 13.30 hrs.
“Arise, Shine, for the light is come and the glory of the Lord is come upon you” – Isiah 60:1. The Committeets again next Saturday. Info: 0736779031 or 0704523798.
Githuku wa Muirani
Deep Condolences To The Osumba Family
Mr. Michael Osumba, a Kenyan who has been residing in Sweden for more than two decades, has lost her daughter in Kenya. The daughter, who was 40 years old and was residing in Kenya, passed away as a result of high blood pressure.
Mr. Osumba is currently in Kenya but friends, well wishers and sympathizers are meeting daily at his residence in Rinkeby (Axbyplan 66) to console the bereaved family. Mrs Nancy Osumba, Osumba’s wife, is hosting visitors at the residence.
The late daughter, whose husband died ten years ago, leaves behind five children. KSB sends deep condolences to the bereaved family and hopes that they will be able to go through this tragic and difficult moment characterized by deep shock and sorrow.
Okoth Osewe
Deep Condolences To Elizabeth’s Family
Elizabeth Wairuri, a Kenya resident in Stockholm, has lost her dad in Kenya. Kenyans, friends and well wishers are invited to an “Open House” at Skarpbrunnavägen 37 BV at Hallunda. Info: Daniel Mwaura at 0736694039.
KSB sends deep condolences to Elizabeth’s family during this tragic moment. The death of a loved one is always a painful event and we hope that the family will gather the moral strength to go through this tragic moment.
Okoth Osewe
Deep Condolences To Emanuel’s Family
Emanuel is a 26 year old Tanzanian national who has been the youth leader at St Klara Church where Pastor Beatrice Kamau is based. At St Klara, there is a Swahili congregation where Swahili speakers especially from East Africa normally meet for worship. Since he came from Tanzania about a year ago, Emanuel has been a member of this Swahili congregation where he was well liked.
On Wednesday this week, Emanuel went swimming at the shores of a lake in Södertälje. He was together with his girlfriend and another colleague.
According to information gathered by KSB, Emanuel first jumped into the water, surfaced and swam a little before coming back to shore. He then took a second dive and all went well. He swam and later got out of the water. When he dived into the water for a third time, tragedy struck.
His friends noticed that he had taken an unusually long time to come out of water (about four minutes). They raised the alarm and some two Swedish boys who were around came to the rescue. They jumped into the water to try and look for him but they failed to locate him. At this point, the Ambulance and other rescue squads had been alerted.
Members of the first rescue team to arrive at the scene jumped into the water but did not find him. This was a specialist diving unit with special equipment. Soon, a helicopter crew arrived and joined the search. Eventually, Emanuel was found. It emerged that Emanuel appear to have been swept away by the waves which moved him from the original point where he entered the water making it difficult for rescue operations to trace him.
When he was found, he was still alive and there were several attempts to revive him. Emanuel was flown to hospital as medics tried to revive him on the way. At the hospital, attempts to save his life continued. He was put on a respirator but unfortunately, nothing could be done further to save his life because he was already brain dead.
An “Open House” has been called at Ottersongvägen 7 in Södertälje where friends, sympathizers and well wishers will begin to raise funds for the transportation of Emanuel’s body to Tanzania for burial.
Emanuel was the only boy child in his family which must be going through a very difficult moment. KSB sends deep condolences to Emanuel’s family during this time of great shock and sorrow. We hope that the family will have the strength to go through this difficult moment.
Okoth Osewe
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