14th June 2009
In his recent speech to the Muslim World at Cairo University, President Barack Obama of the USA said; ‘we must say openly the things we hold in our hearts and that too often are said only behind closed doors. There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground.’
This message came at the very right time in the history of the world.
In all corners, people are not saying openly the things they hold dear in their hearts. Even in Kenya, we do not say openly the things that we hold dear in our hearts. In many cases, we engage in double-speak.
At KCDN, we have decided to talk very openly about the things we hold dear and such was the occasion when we hosted the 2nd Edition of the KCDN Peace Run/Walk yesterday the 13th June 2009.
DO 1 Nairobi East District Mr. Nyenje, stood in for the DC Nairobi East District and his message was that of hope. He let the people know that is spreading the message of peace, national healing and reconciliation, institutions such as KCDN were doing the right thing.
He confirmed that the presence of the Band from the Administration Police was enough indication that even at the Police Force, they also want a peaceful country. Their presence in taking part in the procession must be seen as a sure move in the direction of engaging the masses in seeking a lasting solution to peace, national healing and reconciliation.
He then invited our main celebrant Bishop Dr Julius Mbagaya, President of the Baptist Convention who led the people in reciting a short prayer.
Mr Nyenge then flagged off the procession which was ably led by the Administration Police Band under the Command of Insp. Mwangi. We left the field, turned into Spine Road, went up to Kenol Petrol Station, turned right into Komarock, went up to Car Wash, turned right and headed back to the field. The procession took us 44 minutes.
Back at the field, we had several small games and acrobatic troupes. We had games like; kati, rounders, bano, egg race, skipping rope competition, tag-of-war. The most interesting was bano where Mr. Sylvester Ogola, the student leader from Masinde Muliro University came out the winner.
With the sports and entertainments done, we introduced the rest of our guests to the people. In attendance we had Mr. Elijah Kombo from Bidii and New Vision Africa, Mr. George Nyongesa and Jacob Odipo from Bunge La Mwananchi, Sylvester Ogola the President Masinde Muliro University Students, Mr. David Muriuki from Sauti Moja Kenya, Mr. Chris Kariaku and Mr. Francis Mwangi Chege from the League of Young Professionals, Ms. Caroline Ndungi from Komarocks Residents Association, Ms. Mellen Kinaru the Secretary General Komarocks Residents Association, Mr. Wilfred Kagiri and Mr. Norman Chomba from The Voice Movement, Rev. Johnson Kanyenje The Vicar ACK Komarock [Good Samaritan] and he was accompanied by Mr. Cyrus Mbogo Ireri. Our main guest was Bishop Dr. Julius Mbagaya, the President of the Baptist Convention in Kenya.
Rev Kanyenje told the people to preach peace across the board and use occasions such as what KCDN had done, to help spread the word. He urged people to live as brothers and sisters in the firm knowledge that we are one people.
In his powerful presentation, Bishop Mbagaya paused the question; where is the problem in Kenya? Is it the politicians? Is it the Government? Is it the professionals? Or is it the people? He absolved the Government by looking at how Government makes appointment after vetting based on known academic and other known creteria. He looked at the politicians and returned a verdict of not guilty. They are so few; only 210, and they are elected by the people.
He then zeroed on the people. We are the problem in Kenya. We are given an opportunity every 5 years and we vote in people who cannot make a difference for Kenya. Time has come when the people must wake up and lead the process. Time has come when the people must also have a vetting process that outlines the calibre of leaders that we vote for.
We must vet the leadership that we want. Like it happens to computers, garbage in begets garbage out. When we vote for people who have stolen from State Corporation, Government Departments, or people who have criminal and theft cases pending across the courts in Kenya, we must not expect anything better in return.
Once a thief always a thief. We will only be giving then more leverage at stealing. Hence time has come for Kenyans to wake up. The time is now, the hour has come and we must all join hands to save Kenya.
We then ended our day by joining in the Komarock Peace Declaration herein attached.
Thank you all for having come in those large numbers to make this day a success. Thanks also to all those who supported us in realizing this dream.
Let us meet at the 3rd Edition of the KCDN Peace Run/Walk next year.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi.
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
And we must thank the following people and institutions for their support;
1] Kshs 2,000.00 from Mr. Lenny Amolo of AIG Kenya Ltd.
2] Kshs 10,000.00 from Mr. Eric Jang’olo of Barclays Bank, [But strictly for our rent].
3] Kshs 2,800.00 from Mr. Elijah Kombo of Bidii Africa.
4] Kshs 2,000.00 from Mr. Otieno Sungu of Southern Sudan.
5] Kshs 2,000.00 from Arinolah EN of Southern Sudan.
6] Kshs 3,000.00 from Dr Shem Ochuodho of Southern Sudan.
7] Kshs 15,000.00 from Bunge la Mwananchi- Mr. George Nyongesa.
8] Video Coverage from Dommie Yambo- Development Through Media.
9] 10 balls [5-football, 5 volleyballs] from Text Book Centre Ltd.
10] Administration Police Band.
11] Partnership for Change.
12] Kshs 5,000.00 from Bishop Dr. Julius Mbagaya.
13] League of Young Professionals.
14] Kshs 500.00 from a friend who requests to remain anonymous
15] Kshs 500.00 from Ms Josephine Kamanthe of League of Young Professionals.
16] Kshs 200.00 from Truphena Awuor of the League of Young Professionals.
17] 240 bottles of water from H2O Beverages Ltd
18] Akiba Uhaki Foundation
Note; we have some more Friends of KCDN who had pledges their support. We hope to hear from them soon.
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Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:25:35 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: 2nd Edition KCDN Peace Run/Walk
