Dear Editor,
 
It is common knowledge that a majority of the urban poor cannot afford basic food for their children. It is in this regard that Bunge La Mwananchi recently organized a public procession to make our voice heard on a matter of public interest. However, ever since Bunge La Mwananchi organized the food protest, the Kenya police continue to make it very difficult for Bunge La Mwananchi members to meet at Jeevanjee Gardens, Nairobi. ( see attached pictures). ptoblmp.htm

We cannot help but wonder: Is it criminal in our country to remind people something they already know? Is our police force justified in harassing Kenyans who are just coming together in a park to cry together over their woes?  Why are the police who swore to protect us violating our individual, human and constitutional rights every time they spot us or hear we are at Jeevanjee Gardens?
 
In a country ridden with crime, in a country where there is one policeman for every 400 people, why is the government wasting 2 policemen everyday to make sure our members do not enter Jeevanjee Gardens; forgetting that it is a park for all Kenyans and not a police post?
 
Bunge La Mwananchi are law abiding citizens and whatever we do is well within our constitutional rights. We therefore request human rights conscious people to join us in demanding the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of police from Jevanjee Gardens. Send the following short message to your Member of Parliament: “protect our right to organize, demand ministerial statement from Minister for Security on why Bunge la Mwananchi cannot meet at Jeevanjee?”
 
George Nyongesa
Bunge la Mwananchi
www.bulamwa.co.ke
+254 720 451 235

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Date:  Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:30:50 -0700 (PDT)
From:  George Nyongesa
Subject:  POLICE TERROR ON BUNGE LA MWANANCHI PHOTO CAPTIONS,
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Subject: Police teargass Bunge la Mwananchi Jeevanjee meeting!
http://blog.jaluo.com/?p=1134
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Get it in writing.  Keep providing a reminder to the officials of a need to live up to the idea. 

Other inalienable rights of persons are to assemble with who they choose, assemble peacefully, and also to petition their government for redress of their grievances.  Some countries have this in their constitution / bill of rights, for all to read.  Some countries acknowledge and currently respect the principle.  Not all countries that are doing one of these will do both. 

A few countries, on the other hand, deny the basic concept through their behavior.  There, remedies are required.

  – – awm – –