Dear Kenyans and friends of Kenya,

Bunge La Mwananchi¢s Jeevanjee Gardens meeting ground was the scene of scuffles with the police yet again today, 11th July at 1.45pm.

Bunge La Mwananchi members had gathered for debates at their ussual meeting place in the park. Their discussion at that timewas about Witchcraft and Superstition.

The participation huge (could be estimated at 250) this maybe because of the amazing tales of witchcraft and superstition as different communities narrated their stories.

While members were engrossed in the debates and counter debates, the police officers from Central Police Stattion showed up an announced and ordered our members to disperse threatening to beat them.

Some of the people scampered for safety, but we urged our members not to obey that order. We told the police officers that we were not going to comply with their orders because it violates our civil liberties, our individual and constitutional rights. We told the police officer that Jeevanjee is park where Kenyans who cannot afford something to eat come to while away their lunchtime break before they go back to work. We also meet here to discuss matters that affect us individually and communally, and that is human right.

When it became apparent that we were not going obey their orders; the officer stepped aside and called for reinforcement. In a shortwhile the Officer in Charge of Station (OCS- Central) appeared with another contigent of 6 anti-riot police. They rained teargas in our meeting place dispersing everyone caught in the melee. They attempted to arrest Samson Ojiayo but on second thought they let him free ( FYI we have some parts these caught on camera).

When the tension had eased, after about 20mins, I approached the OCS to demand an explanation over their repeated attempt to restrict Bunge La Mwananchi¢s meetings at Jeevanjee Gardens, yet this our traditional debate venue and meetings have been held there in the past without police interference.

The OCS indicated that he was receiving and acting on orders from his superiors as far up as being above the rank of PPO. It is good to quote him here,said in swahili: ” do not ask me questions, I have a job and my job is to make sure you do not meet here”, “I told you that you should find alternative place to meet not in public square where you disturb people”. “We are not going to arrest you so that you can make money…we will know what to do”. He further informed me that if Bunge La Mwananchi wanted to meet in peace it had to be registered so that they can know who we are but they cannot be permit us to just exist.

On further persuasion, he also informed me, said in swahili: “personally I am not against you meeting here. I received orders and I have told you that before”. Then he added that if any complaints were to be lodged by Bunge La Mwananchi they would have to be lodged with his superiors as far above over the rank of PPO for anything to be done.

It is important that I mention that since 31st May 2008 after Bunge la Mwananchi held a peaceful protest against unchecked increase of food price, the protest which was violently disrupted and also had our members arrested by police officers; there has been a concerted effort by the Government of Kenya machinery not to allow us to meet. Our members continue to experience police harassment and threats; sometime our members have been arrested and kept overnight in the police cells only to be released without prefered charges in the morning. We have had also incidences of plain clothed police giving threats that our members are going to start disappearing like Mungiki. Till 630pm we had police stationed at the park to make sure we do not meet.

This trend reversed or subsided a little for a couple of days when Hon. Julius Kones demanded a ministerial statement in parliament from the Minister for Security on why the police were harassing and threatening Bunge la Mwananchi members. The Minister for Security was not available to take the question. However, it seems the police officer have gotten new energy and they are back to harass us.

This is a systematic determination by the government machinery to role back our democratic gains by cutting back our civil liberties, individual and constitutional rights. This should and must be resisted. We are calling on Bunge la Mwananchi members and friends both at home in diaspora to come to our rescue. We need to go to our courts for help. We need finances to carry out this. We need legal expertise. We need some ideas on how to frame the issues. We want your support…please get in touch with us with whatever support you can give or find out what you can do.

On behalf and for:
George Nyongesa
Bunge la Mwananchi
www.bulamwa.co.ke

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Date: Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:48:45 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: Police teargass Bunge la Mwananchi Jeevanjee meeting!

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We will definately ensure that we carry our activities according to the existing law. Time for political chaunivism, confrontations, clashes with police etc are over. We need now to embrace a new political dispensation of progressive politics of patriotism , democracy and development using the exisitng channels. The police have a role to restore law and order and not harrass people like this even during this time of peace.

We must recognize the effort that was done by our forefathers including Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, Oginga Odinga – the doyen of opposition politics, Joseph Murumbi etc. We must also recognise the second generation including Martin Shikuku, Charles Rubia, James Orengo, Raila Odinga, Gitobu Imanyala, Paul Muite etc who fought through the street amidst tear gas and thrown in jail several times, suffered the dictatorial regimes. The job was not finished. We are here to complete this mission.

Its true and a reality that the current crop of leaders are not going to finish the job. They are recycled products and have no regard to the ideals of what these second generation did -planting the seed of democracy. The mantle was passed to us – we are the generation to finish the business, and usher Kenya to a complete change, patriotism, democracy and development and far above ensure that the spirit of pan africanism is rejuvenated.

The constituion review has remained where it was left at Bomas…..and yet the same faces that were defeated to launch it are promising the same time and over again. What we are instead seeing is Grand Regency, Immigration, etc – all in the name of corruption.

We are now seeing a band of current political entertainers who owe allegiance to nothing except their pockets. Who do not regard the common plea of the ordinary Kenyan. Who do not embrace the ideals of being Kenyan. Who are fond of discussing personal issues in Parliament and not upholidng the spirit of patriatism, democracy, and development. We are seeing a bunch of people who do not have an agenda on any day for the development of the nation. We are seeing leaders who do not see street children, beggars, poverty disease etc. We are having leaders who do not know what is happening in the underground corrupt cells of Nairobi City Council. We have leaders who use chopper and are not seeing the road to Kisii, Kisumu, Mombasa….even the potholes next to Parliament. I am glad that we have leaders who do not have an agenda for traffic jams and provide a strategic plan.

What Kenyans need is real change from the traditional ideas of confrontation and start seeing one another as champions of democracy and development. We need to refocus ourselves to the current global development and make sure that we position ourselves not only in domestic issues but also ensure our struggle result in good result. What Kenyans need is not coffee talk shows. What Kenyan need is not to see the leaders use their money to start 2012 competition. Martin Lunther said ‘ what have you done for others today’. I re-phrase the question – why start this campaigns when we have done nothing as yet?

We recognise the need to have social grouping with real agendas that promote this ideas and ensure that our needs are well addressed. Social evil in our midst need to be stopped by all means and purposes. Dialogue and not clashes with police should be embraced.

By the police stopping Bunge la Wakenya is tantamount to what we have fought and won in the past. This is not the time to see police with tear gas and helmet with rungus chasing their own brothers and sisters on the street. Its time to have mature reasoning and use different mechanism to get our message across. We might not have been luck to be born into well to do political families. We havent inherited any political plate. We are the under-dogs. Down cast, negelcted, forsaken and destitute. But we believe that God has a plan that is unshakable. Our nation is a citadel of peace, a lighthouse from where the beams lights Africa. We are not ready to let that go. We need to have the torch send sparkles of change. One of my favourite Evangelist said ‘Change is painful, persistent, powerful and yet permanent’ Its also time for Kenya and Afrika.

And this is the spirit come 2012 – WE NEED A DIGNIFIED PARLIAMENT THAT WILL CHANGE OUR DESTINY, PROVIDE RESOURCES EQUALLY TO ALL KENYANS regardless of tribe, age, education, gender, sex, or religion.

Kombo Elijah

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Date: Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:14:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: Elijah Kombo
Subject: Re: Police teargass Bunge la Mwananchi Jeevanjee meeting!
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http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=782
Date: Thu, 29 May 2008 12:27:13 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: The urban poor match for food!

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=792
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: Breaking news – Bunge La Mwananchi – Solidarity march for food – ongoing faceoff with police!!
Date: Saturday, May 31, 2008, 1:37 AM

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=845
Date: Thu, 5 Jun 2008 23:25:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: Bunge La Mwananch: Press Conference today!

http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=859
Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2008 12:32:21 -0700 (PDT)
From: George Nyongesa
Subject: Mwananchi to sue the Minister for Security and the Police Commissioner!
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