Grassroots calling for Resource Persons

From Bunge La Mwananchi

Dear Kenyans and friends of Kenya,

We are looking for patriotic Kenyans who are thoroughly informed on how to link community localised issues to the national policies; are dynamic on national agendas, and are available to volunteer their time to serve as Resource Persons during the upcoming Kibera Wananchi Congress, (herein referred to as the congress). The congress will bring together 1,600 grassroots leaders (drawn all wards in Langata constituency, the 13 villages that form Kibera slums, the diverse ethnic groups, the churches and mosques, active CBOs and NGOs, soccer groups, women and youth groups etc) is scheduled to take place at St. Jude’s Catholic Church near Katwekera area on 23rd and 24th November 2009. The congress dialogues are designed to allow the participants to articulate their understanding on the topic of discussion and their suggestion for wayforward. The moderator/Resource person helps focus the participants and concretize resolutions. We are looking for Resource Person to facilitate tent/group discussions on the following thematic areas:

1. Education and Training

2. National agendas, Governance challenges and Citizens responsibility

3. Impoverishment, Food Security and Opportunity for Wealth creation

4. Land problem, housing and slum upgrading

5. Politics, Conflicts and Peace Building

6. Health, Sanitation and

7. Insecurity and Community Policing

8. Alcoholism and Substance Abuse

9. Sports, Sports opportunities and Sports Infrastructure

10. Gender based challenges

The congress is aimed at empowering and strengthening the capacities of Kibera Citizens in rights awareness, policy analysis, advocacy and networking through a 2-day dialogue activity. At the end of the congress, the grassroots leaders shall outline and adopt resolutions from their dialogues. The resolutions shall be compiled into Kibera People’s Manifesto for change. Similar people’s congress are scheduled to be held in identified constituencies in Central, Coast, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western regions and then culminate with a National People’s Congress.

If you are available to serve as Resource Person on the said dates, please contact us before 19th November 2009 on this email: grnyongesa@yahoo.com or tel: 0720 451 235.

Silencing Kenya's activists...

Apr 11 - Human rights campaigners in Kenya have accused the country's security forces of carrying out extra-judicial killings that have claimed at least 500 lives since 2007.

A UN Special Rapporteur was appointed to investigate in February 2009 and recently accused Kenya’s police and military of intimidating human rights defenders, in a country where freedom of speech once ranked among the highest on the continent.

Several activists in Kenya say that they fear for their lives.

Story filmed and written by Njuwa Maina for Reuters Africa Journal.

Action Alert re Arrest of Philo Ikonya, Fwamba Crispus, Patrick Kamotho

WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW

PLEASE CIRCULATE AS WIDELY AS POSSIBLE

(1) Send a text message NOW, to Kenya's President, Prime Minister, and Attorney General. Use the one below, or craft your own. Phone nos and Email ads available HERE

Mr. Kibaki / Mr. Odinga - we hold u accountable 4 police violence and illegal arrests against Philo Ikonya n other civil society activists. Release them NOW and fire Police Commissioner Ali.

Other Suggested Message:

Mr Kibaki / Mr. Odinga, I urge you to act immediately to release Philo Ikonya, Fwamba Chrispus, and Patrick Kamotho from illegal police custody. Police Commissioner Ali must be fired for presiding over escalating police violations of civil and human rights in Kenya.

To President Mwai Kibaki: president (at) statehousekenya (dot) go (dot) ke

To Prime Minister Raila Odinga: railaodinga (at) yahoo (dot) com

Signed: Name, Organization / Affiliation (if any), City, Country

3) If you are a Kenyan repeat steps 1) and 2) with your own MP and other parliamentarians. Contact details for Kenyan MPs here.

4) If you live outside Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2), directing the texts and emails to the Kenyan Ambassador or High Commissioner in your country. Contact details on this link:

5) If you are a foreign national living in Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2) with the Ambassador or High Commissioner of your country in Kenya. Contact details on this link

6) Copy to the Feedback Form on the site of the Kenyan Police Force HERE

7) Copy to Kofi Annan, in his capacity as the head of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process, through his spokesman: Nasser Ega-Musa: Nasser (dot)Ega-Musa(at) unon (dot) org

Arrested and beaten for asking for food...

From Mars Group Kenya

Philo Ikonya, Fwamba FC Fwamba, and Patrick Kamotho have been beaten and arrested by Police while demonstrating against lack of Unga, and corruption in Government at Parliament Buildings. Philo Ikonya and Fwamba FC Fwamba arecurrently being held at Central Police Station. The whereabouts of Patrick Kamotho are still Unknown.

On Friday, 3 other colleagues were arrested while sharing information on Corruption with other Kenyans. Two were released and Rosemary Otieno was charged with a bogus charge at the City court.

The Grand Coalition Government has allowed the Kenya Police to continue harassing Kenyans who exercise their Fundamental Rights as guaranteed under the Constitution Of Kenya. Agenda 1 of the National Accord was to restore the Fundamental Rights of all Kenyans with immediate effect. Can Kenyans continue to pay for this Government?

The time to admit failure by this Government to deliver the National Accord is now. We demand the immediate, unconditional release of our colleagues, and call for the Commissioner of Police, Major General Hussein Ali to resign with immediate effect on the basis that his force is unable to deliver on Fundamental Human Rights for Kenyans.

The Tool in Your Hand...

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