Category Archives: Human Rights

Opening New Avenues For Empowerment: ICTs For Persons With Disabilities

From: Yona Maro

Building on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, this Global Report addresses strong recommendations to all stakeholders – from decision-makers to educators, civil society and industry – on how concretely to advance the rights of people living with disabilities. These recommendations draw on extensive research and consultations. Studies launched in five regions have allowed UNESCO to understand more clearly the conditions and challenges faced by persons with disabilities around the world.

To empower persons with disabilities is to empower societies as a whole – but this calls for the right policies and legislation to make information and knowledge more accessible through information and communication technologies. It calls also for applying accessibility standards to the development of content, product and services. The successful application of such technologies can make classrooms more inclusive, physical environments more accessible, teaching and learning content and techniques more in tune with learners’ needs.

This UNESCO publication not only makes a major contribution to the understanding of disability, but also highlights technological advancement and shares good practices that have already changed the lives of people with disabilities. It also makes concrete recommendations for action at the local, national and international levels, targeting policy and decision makers, educators, IT&T industry, civil society and certainly persons with disabilities.
Link:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0021/002197/219767e.pdf

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KENYA: THE TRUTH AND JUSTICE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION {TJRC} DID SHODDY, SHALLOW AND HOLLOW JOBS AND FAILED TO CONVINCE KENYAN OF ITS SERIOUSNESS.

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COMMENTARY By Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City

I have sat down for a length of time perusing and scrutinizing the report released last week by the Truth and Justice Reconciliation Commission and found them to be shallow shoddy and hollow, not even worth reading any sane person.

Perhaps the Bethwell Kiplagat team just wanted to justify the millions of taxpayers money its members had consumed during the stormy period it conducted it half-baked inquiries.

The TJRC did not caste its net wide open, though it came up with some names of leaders both in the present and past it has recommended should be probed further so as to ascertain the truth about their wrong doing.

In regards to past politically motivated assassinations TRC reported is highly rubbished for merely bush-beating, which are devoid of any iota of the truth.

The TJRC chairman Kiplagat himself had long been rejected by the entire Kenyan society that he was not the right person for the job, but insisted on carrying it out and even went to court so that he could be clear to proceed on with the job. Those had loudly raised objections knew it pretty well that Kiplagat was not the right person taking it into account his covert operations and flirting with RENAMO of Mozambique and its renegade forces under the rebel leader Dr Dhlakama .

The TJRC came out with the large number of names of innocent Kenyans, which it has recommended should be probed further in connection to human right abuse of the past regimes.

Conspicuously missing from the names that the TJRC wanted to be investigated was the name of the late James Kanyottu, the former director of the security intelligence police unit, which was known as the {Special Branch}.

Kanyottu who has since died after retiring from the security intelligence service which he headed ever since 1965 after succeeding Benard Hinga might have gone into his grave with the heaps of secrets about the past political assassinations in this country, therefore any inquiry report which exclude his names is considered by Kenyans of average intelligence as shoddy and shallow and not worth its salt.

Kanyottu might have not personally participated in actual assassination exercises, but definitely knew the political enemies of the victims who might have been involved in hatching plots to eliminate those whom their perceived to be their political enemies.

During Kanyotu’s rein as the head of the security intelligence five senior Kenyan politician were gunned down or killed

The victims were Pio Gama Pinto, a specially elected member of parliament who was the first to die I a series of well hatched plots of assassination, Thomas Joseph Mboya, C.MG.Argwings-Kodhek, Ronald Gideon Ngala, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki {JM} and finally Robert John Ouko being the last one to die.

From my own intelligent guesswork Kiplagat ‘s commission job was only to rekindle the communal emotions of families and relatives of the victims while serving the interests of some evil and invisible forces still operating lie mafia groups in this country.

For Mr Kanyottu, there was no way someone of the late Tom Mboya status could be assassinated without the knowledge of the head of the national security intelligence unit unless the unit’s operations had long collapse or were on the verge of total collapse.

If it was so Kanyottu couldn’t have lasted on his job for close to 40 years after those painful events of the early and late 1960s.

We have been eagerly waiting to read from the TJRC report as to who ordered fro the closing down of all the phone communications between Nairobi an Addis Ababa as from June 29,1969 to July 4,1969 on the very day Mboya and his delegation to the UNCEA returned home to be killed the next day July 5,1969.

There were strong rumors making the round in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi ad its environs, that some of the late Mboya’s closes friend who hah heard o the assassination rumors made frantic effort to reach him in Addis Abba by phone for the purpose of alerting him about the dreadful rumor in Nairobi, but Nairobi Addis phone were severed off at the external-telecom. Surely such events if it is true they took place could not have escaped the knowledge of the head of the nation’s national security organ, and here is where the name of Kanyottu comes in hand.

Obviously someone in a very senior position in the government of the day might have been the one who ordered the phone line between Addis and Nairobi line severed of for a specific pupose.

These are some of the area which were so fertile for the TJRC team to visit an make thorough inquiries because all the records in those institutions are said to be still intact for probe.

In the case of Dr. Robert John Ouko, reports were made I courts tat his phone lines at his Koru Farm in Kisumu had also gone off during the fateful night of his mysterious disappearance and death. Obviously the head of the security intelligence cannot be exonerated for having been totally ignorance of these events.

The same could be said of the deaths by faked road accidents of Ronald Gideon Ngala and CMG Argwings-Kodhek. Like Mboya both died while serving in the cabinet as Minster for Foreign Affair and minister for Power and Communications respectively. All the four Mboya, Ngala, Argwings-Kodhek and Ouko were the possible future presidential materials during the reign of the late Jomo Kenyatta. And as such Kenyans were expecting Kiplagat’s TJRC to caste its net much more wider and come out with some truth about thee past politically motivated killings in Kenyatta instead of writing rubbish and perhaps copying some old reports from other regions.

Leo Odera Omolo

UGANDA: RESPECT LAW,MUSEVENI TOLD BY LAWYERS

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By Agwanda Saye.

The East Africa Law Society has demanded Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to respect a court order directing withdrawal of security forces from besieged media houses.

The legal body with 15,000 lawyers as members has also called on the Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to force the Government of Uganda to uphold the rule of law and withdraw military and security forces from premises of The Monitor and Red Pepper publications, KFM and Dembe FM.

East Africa Law Society (EALS) President Mr. James Mwamu called on EALA to leverage its ongoing session in Kampala to call on the Government to respect the East African Community (EAC).

“Uganda should adhere to its commitments to observe individual and media rights and freedoms as contained under Articles 6(d) and 7(2) of the Treaty establishing the EAC,” Mr. Mwamu said.

The EALS President said that the Government of President Museveni should refrain from undue interference with well-meaning individual and commercial investments.

Mr. Mwamu said that the professional body with a membership of 15,000 lawyers across the region is exploring regional judicial avenues to guarantee freedom of the media in Uganda.

The EALS expressed similar sentiments in a letter dated May 27 to President Museveni, East Africa Legislative Assembly Speaker and EAC Secretariat Secretary General.

EALS is the umbrella regional Bar Association of the legal profession in East Africa and brings together the six national Law Societies of: The Burundi Bar Association, The Kigali Bar Association, The Law Society of Kenya, The Tanganyika Law Society, The Uganda Law Society and The Zanzibar Law Society; as well as their respective individual membership.

“We intend to explore other avenues to ensure cessation of the unfortunate state of affairs in the unlikely event that military forces in Uganda continue disregarding the rule of law,” Mr. Mwamu said.

He said that that a free independent and pluralistic media environment is crucial in a democratic society. “It acts as a forum for the public to access information and services understand and exercise their rights,” Mwamu said.

The EALS President also called on the EAC Secretary General to exercise his oversight mandate to ensure compliance of States with their obligations and commitments.

Mr. Mwamu said that the obligations are detailed under Article 29 (1) and (2) of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.

“The Government of Uganda should abstain from any actions that have the potential of derailing the proposed political federation of the EAC,” Mr. Mwamu said.

Ends

Kenya & World: UHURUTO ICC CASES NOW A STATE ISSUE

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from: Judy Miriga

Good People,

Rising insecurity is growith at an alarming worisome level in Kenya.
The Government of Kenya must address and contain the situation
before it gets out of control.

Judy Miriga
Diaspora Spokesperson
Executive Director
Confederation Council Foundation for Africa Inc.,
USA
http://socioeconomicforum50.blogspot.com

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ICC chief slams critics after African Union attack

By AFP
Posted Tuesday, May 28 2013 at 23:52
In Summary

The ICC is currently facing mounting diplomatic pressure over charges of crimes against humanity filed against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice President William Ruto linked to political unrest in 2008 when neither were in office

Bensouda vowed that the ICC would “continue to be independent, to continue to be impartial, to apply the law strictly without any political or other considerations.”

Forty-three African countries have signed the ICC’s founding Rome Statute and 34 have ratified it. This makes Africa the most heavily represented region in the court membership

UNITED NATIONS

The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor hit back at critics Tuesday, a day after the African Union accused the tribunal of racism.

Fatou Bensouda said the critics were defending “perpetrators” of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The prosecutor did not mention any particular group. But her comments came only a day after an African Union summit said the ICC was targeting the continent on the basis of race.

“We all know who the voices are,” Bensouda told a meeting at United Nations headquarters when asked by an African diplomat about “voices” questioning ICC tactics.

“The voices are those who are trying to protect the perpetrators of these crimes. They are not the voices who are supporting the victims of these crimes,” said Bensouda, who is from Gambia.

An African Union summit on Monday called for the ICC charges to be halted. Kenya has asked the UN Security Council to “terminate” the case.

“We should not take what ICC is doing to turn it on its head,” Bensouda said at the UN meeting on enforced disappearances organized by France and Argentina.

“The true victims of the crimes are the victims of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide, not those who perpetrate them. And now we see that that those voices, what they are all trying to do is protect those who perpetrate the crimes.”

“I think this is an insult to the victims,” she added.

“I think this should not be happening and anybody who is concerned about addressing crimes of this nature — against the thousands and thousands and thousands of victims, African victims — should be concerned about what is happening right now,” she told the UN meeting.

Bensouda vowed that the ICC would “continue to be independent, to continue to be impartial, to apply the law strictly without any political or other considerations.”

African governments often express bitterness that all ICC investigations target the continent.

But nearly all of the eight investigations — from Uganda to Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali — were referred by the African countries themselves. Forty-three African countries have signed the ICC’s founding Rome Statute and 34 have ratified it. This makes Africa the most heavily represented region in the court membership.

Tiina Intelmann, president of the 122-country assembly of ICC member states, acknowledged that the perceived “Africa-only” focus of investigations has created difficulties for the court in dealings with African states.

“Let us not forget, however, that the current focus on the African situations also means a focus on African victims,” Intelmann said in a commentary.

A trust fund set up by the ICC statute has helped about 80,000 victims of “atrocity crimes.”

“It is fair to say that without the activities of that fund, all those African victims would have received little or no assistance at all,” Intelmann added.

Security risk as police bosses fight for power

By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, May 28 2013 at 20:51

In Summary

He did not directly accuse Mr Kimaiyo of attempting to scuttle the recruitment but he may have been reacting to a memo sent on Monday night by the Inspector General advising senior officers not to apply for the positions. The application deadline was Tuesday.

Tuesday, 10 hardcore criminals escaped from Kamukunji police station and a police officer was arrested allegedly after attempting to hijack a trailer. Crime has reached almost unprecedented levels in addition to the massacres in Busia and Bungoma and terror attacks in Garissa and Wajir.

Police bosses are embroiled in deepening wrangles and turf wars even as security deteriorates across the country.

A cold war between Inspector General David Kimaiyo and the chairman of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), Mr Johnstone Kavuludi, burst to the open Tuesday as the two battled over the recruitment of county commanders.

They are also fighting over proposals to amend the law to give the Inspector General more authority in the appointment, transfer and disciplining of officers.

Tuesday, Mr Kavuludi sensationally claimed that there was a plot to derail the recruitment of 47 county police commanders by anti-reformers.

“There has been a concerted attempt to derail the vetting and interview of officers for the position of county commanders. However, we are pleased to note that the Commission has received over 300 applications for these 94 advertised positions,” he said.

Mr Kimaiyo has previously denounced the recruitment, saying he and his two deputies were not consulted by the commission.

Mr Kavuludi and other commissioners were attending a meeting in Naivasha to agree on the criteria for vetting of the county police bosses. Mr Kimaiyo had apparently excused himself from the workshop to deal with the wave of insecurity in the country. His absence at the important process hints at the disastrous alienation of top police officers from essential functions over a force for which they have command responsibility.

Police reforms carried out since the election are an interesting experiment. It remains to be seen whether a commander can effectively control a force whose members he has no power to hire, sack, promote, transfer or discipline.

The NPSC has nine members. The IG and two other representatives of the force are ordinary members and business can be transacted without them.

In contrast, the 11-member Judicial Service Commission chaired by the Chief Justice is predominantly made up of lawyers: Three judges, one magistrate, the Attorney-General and two lawyers nominated by the Law Society of Kenya.

The in-fighting in the leadership of the police force is already having an impact on policing. There are signs of worsening discipline in the force as well as disenchantment and apathy, especially from the officer cadre which is facing the sack in the reforms.

Mr Kimaiyo’s position on the recruitment has shifted dramatically over the past month.

On April 16, he wrote to NPSC recommending the appointment of county commanders to replace Provincial Police Officers whose positions have been scrapped. The letter was titled: “Proposal for the selection and appointment of police officers to the position of officers commanding police counties and review of appointments at formations and directorates at the headquarters levels.”

Mr Kimaiyo suggested the hiring of County Kenya Police Service Commanding Officers (CKPSCO), County Administration Police Commanding Officers (CAPSCO) and County Criminal Investigations Officers (CCIO) to head police activities at the counties for the regular, AP and criminal investigation departments.

Mr Kimaiyo could not be reached to comment on the apparent change of heart.

At issue also are proposed amendments to the National Police Service Act.

Yesterday, the NPSC blamed “forces opposed to police reforms” for the amendments which — if passed — will significantly empower the office of the Inspector General while weakening the commission.

“It has come as a shock to the National Police Service Commission that some senior officers in the Public Service who are not members of this commission, have proposed amendments to the National Police Service Act, 2011, with the intention of derailing police reforms,” Mr Kavuludi said at the workshop at Sopa Lodge in Naivasha.

“The proposed amendments, which are being done clandestinely, are intended to severely water down the powers of the Commission. These amendments have neither been done with our knowledge, participation or approval, nor the participation of other stakeholders,” he said.

He added that the amendments include a “frightening indemnity clause” where police officers who carry out illegal orders from their superiors are protected. He asked MPs to reject the changes.

The amendments propose independent powers for the Inspector General to promote, transfer and discipline officers.

It also wants the Inspector General to be the one who receives reports recommending disciplinary measures against officers such as interdiction or suspension. Currently, NPSC receives the reports.

Mr Kimaiyo was quoted on Sunday confirming that he is aware of the amendments. He, however, said they did not originate from his office.

Additional reporting by Macharia Mwangi and Joyce Kimani

Fear as Mungiki resurfaces, threatens to cripple business
Updated Tuesday, May 28th 2013 at 21:45 GMT +3
By Eric Wainaina

Kiambu, Kenya: Resurfacing of illegal gangs in Kiambu is worrying the business community.

Members of the outlawed Mungiki sect are alleged to be forcibly demanding money from matatu operators and business people in various shopping centres.

The Provincial Administration has confirmed that the members of the illegal sect are plotting to reclaim their previous status of controlling major economic sectors.

Affected areas are Kiambu, Gatundu, Lari, Githunguri and Kikuyu where they are also reportedly recruiting new members.

A matatu operator plying between Kiambu and Githunguri on condition of anonymity said the operators give Sh200 daily to the illegal gangs.

“We give them money though not openly. They resort to violence once we refuse to remit the levies,” the operator said.

Operators plying between Gatundu, Thika, Kiganjo, Kiambu, Ruiru and Nairobi said the sect members have been demanding a levy of Sh200 from each matatu.

Last month, a matatu was set a blaze in Gatundu town after the operators allegedly declined to give the money to the sect.

Three matatu sacco officials in Gatundu have been murdered and Mungiki was blamed for it. The gang is also demanding money from business players and developers who are setting up buildings in the county, causing fear among the business fraternity.

Arraigned in court

“They are collecting money from any income earning activity and given a chance, they will end up sending away investors because they also pose a security threat,” Paul Mwangi, a Githunguri resident said.

Kiambu County Commissioner Wilson Njega said they had arrested some of group’s members demanding cash from a construction site owner and were arraigned in court.

“We are alert about this group ( Mungiki) and are not going to give them any chance to regroup,” Njega said.

Even Shabaab knows greed has got no borders in Kenya

Updated Tuesday, May 28th 2013 at 21:10 GMT +3

Patesh alleges that the Tofu was spoilt and the Morning Harvest Bran Flakes had small insects in them.

About six months ago, Patesh claims to have bought an oat meal package from the same shop that had the “same insects”. He returned the package and was reportedly promised action would be taken to avoid recurrence of the problem.

“I think Uchumi Capital Centre is not doing a good job at checking on expired products,” concludes Patesh, whose contact is hitenke@yahoo.com. Is this the case, Uchumi?

And Mr Phillip Olang’ alleges there is something that Nakumatt Lifestyle has been unable to give him despite him needing it desperately (remember their motto; “You need it, we’ve got it”. Olang’ has been seeking replacement of his smartcard since February but he is yet to get a new one. His contact is phillipolang@icloud.com.

DON’T YOU FORGET

Did Orange take client back to world wide web?

Recently, Telkom Orange’s customer Nancy Laura of Langata, Nairobi wrote here about delay by the firm to resolve an issue she had complained about. Nancy reported that although she paid for Internet for her Telkom Orange ASDL line in early April, her line, unfortunately, went dead on April 14. She then reported to Orange and received complaint reference numbers for both the landline and the data service that was disrupted. However, Orange did not sort out the problem and her visits to the company’s offices near Wilson Airport yielded only promises. The reference numbers she was given are 853901 (landline) and 853902 (Internet). Nancy said the line goes off every month yet she has never received any refund for lost data service. Did Orange address this customer’s complaint?

RVR is ‘off track in Embakasi’

Mr Philip Musembi is appealing to the management of Rift Valley Railways to make all efforts to keep passengers who use the train on Embakasi route off harm’s way.

On May 15, 2013, he claims to have witnessed two of the train’s last passenger wagons leave the tracks at Avenue Park Phase 1 towards the Embakasi village terminus and “rolling on the ground like a bus for a distance of about 3km”.

“The Embakasi railway track is an eyesore, pathetic and a disgrace. But despite numerous complaints from passengers, RVR has done nothing about it,” laments Musembi.

Right of Reply

Samsung explains jumbled digital television signals

This is in response to a complaint in PointBlank on May 22, 2013 raised by Antony Irungu in regards to scrambled signal on his Samsung digital television.

First, we are very proud indeed to have him as our customer. We take great pleasure in this and hope that we will continue being his preferred brand for all his electronics and household appliances for a long time to come.

His query relates to receipt of digital signal in his integrated TV. We apologise for getting back rather late, but it was because we needed to conduct some checks with the Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) with regards to his query.

As you are already aware, whereas Samsung provides the TV set, provision of content is by licensed service providers, in this case Signet (KBC) and Pan Africa Network Group (PANG).

Currently, and as confirmed by CCK, signal feeds of some local media houses disappeared from the digital platforms for unknown reasons.

This is currently being probed with the hope of resuming normal service as soon as possible. This could be the reason as to why he may be receiving the scrambled signal message even for channels that are free to air (FTA). To contact Signet, you need to reach KBC, while for PANG he may contact StarTimes.

It is also important to note that the digital signal is not yet available nationally but is being made available progressively by region/town. The following towns already have access to the signal: Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Meru, Eldoret, Nyeri and Kisii. Where there is no signal, one receives a ‘No signal message’.

Emmanuel Abraham Naicca,

Manager – VD,

East and Central Africa,

Samsung Electronics East Africa

Migori TV enthusiast who can’t decode CCK message

I recently complained here over unavailability of digital television signals in Migori. Later, one of the Communications Commission of Kenya officials informed me that signals from Signet and StarTimes are found within the environs of Kisii. Does he want me to relocate in the area to make use of the decoders? Migori residents are not getting justice.

It’s worse when the decoders are being sold but we can’t get the service. The funny thing about it is that the signals are being received on the Kenyan-Tanzanian border, which is about 60km from Migori. Can we be given concrete reasons as to why we can’t get the service? I can be reached at petersonoush2003@yahoo.com.

Peter Auma,

Migori

Leader raises concern over crime wave
Updated Sunday, May 5th 2013 at 22:11 GMT +3
By ERIC WAINAINA

KIAMBU; KENYA: Kiambu MP Jude Njomo has protested over increasing in security incidents in the area.

This follows a Friday midnight raid at Kiambu Municipal Council offices, where a watchman manning the premises was murdered and another critically injured. The armed gang broke into the council offices where they made away with Sh220,000 and the mayor’s chain.

Njomo said, previously, in security had gone down in the area but the recent trend is worrying.

“Cases of breakages in homes and institutions have gone down. We were only suffering from computer thefts in learning institutions but now it seems the gang is back and terrorising and killing their targets,” the MP said after visiting the facility.

Kiambu Municipal Council offices were reserved for Kiambu Governor but William Kabogo said they are in bad shape and not enough to host him and his staff.

Organised gang

In the recent past, several cases of breakages in learning institutions and Government offices where culprits steal computers have been reported across the county.

Njomo said he had had a meeting with the area security committee where he raised the issue. He said the return of criminal activities would hamper development and scare away investors.

On Monday last week, a gang unsuccessfully attempted to raid Kiambu High School.

“Police should get to the bottom of this matter because it seems there is an organised gang targeting various institutions and the situation should be contained before it’s too late,” Njomo added.

County Commissioner Wilson Njega said they have commenced investigations to nab the culprits who are still at large.

“We took samples of fingerprints at the scene for forensic examination and we are also following leads which could help us get them,” Njega said.

Decade’s Largest Global Conference on Women and Girls bagan today in Kuala Lumpur

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From: Dickens Wasonga
Date: Tue, May 28, 2013 at 1:20 PM
Subject: Decade’s Largest Global Conference on Wom?e?n and Girls bagan today in Kuala Lumpur
To: jaluo karjaluo

Thousands of international leaders and advocates call for investments in women’s health and rights at Women Deliver 2013.

By: Dickens Wasonga.

Today, more than 3,000 world leaders, policymakers and advocates representing over 150 countries convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Women Deliver 2013, the decade’s largest meeting focused on girls’ and women’s health and rights.

The conference will feature more than 100 sessions with talks by some of the world’s leading voices on girls’ and women’s issues, including Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Chelsea Clinton, Board Member of the Clinton Foundation; Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Foundation (UNFPA); and Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

Malaysian Prime Minister Honorable Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak led the opening ceremony on the first day of the meeting.

The Women Deliver 2013 conference will focus on themes including:

· the economic and social benefits of investing in girls and women;

· how to achieve the goal of reaching 120 million more women with voluntary family planning services by 2020; and

· the need to place girls and women at the heart of the post-2015 development agenda.

During the meeting, organizations such as the World Bank, the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organization will release major new research and reports focused on the benefits of investing in girls and women.

“Women Deliver 2010 was critical in showing that investing in girls and women is not only the right thing to do, it is also good for the economy and good for society,” said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who gave opening remarks at Women Deliver 2010 and later that year launched the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health. “Women Deliver 2013 will be an opportunity to keep up the pressure and to affirm our plans for the period ahead.”

Women Deliver 2013 takes place at a critical time, just days before the Secretary-General will receive recommendations for the post-2015 development framework. Conference speakers and attendees will call for action to ensure that girls and women are prioritized in the lead-up to the 2015 Millennium Development Goal deadline and beyond.

END.

POPE FRANCIS SOUNDS ALARM OVER THE PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2013

In his homily during the canonisation ceremony on Sunday, Pope Francis sounded the alarm over the persecution of Christians today, stating: “We ask God to sustain the many Christians who, today, in many parts of the world, right now, still suffer violence.”

Apart from Vatican’s concern over attacks on Christians in the Middle East, including Egypt’s Coptic Christians, churches in Nigeria suffer a great deal in the hands of Islamic fundamentalists, Boko haram. Churches have been bombed in Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia, Syria, just to mention a few.

Since Islamists rose to power after Egypt’s 2011 uprising that forced out longtime autocrat Hosni Mubarak, Christians have grown more fearful of intimidation and violence from fellow Egyptians, especially ultraconservative Salafis.

Muslims have attacked churches there and forced Christians to close their shops. Members of the Christian man’s family have been arrested, including his mother and father, after a prosecutor accused them of collaborating in hiding the woman.

In the past, similar incidents have triggered deadly sectarian violence. In 2010, the ultraconservative Muslim Salafis claimed that Camilla Shehata, a Coptic Christian wife of a priest, had converted to Islam, but was abducted by the church to force her to return to Christianity.

Iraq’s branch of al-Qaida used the incident as justification for an attack on a Baghdad church that killed 68 people, and threatened to conduct similar attacks in Egypt until the church released her. On Dec. 31, 2011, a suicide bomber killed at least 21 Christians at a church in the port city of Alexandria — an attack linked to the Shehata case.

In May 2011, at least 12 people were killed and a Cairo church was burned in clashes after a Christian woman had an affair with a Muslim man. When she disappeared, the man alleged that Christian clergy had snatched her and were holding her prisoner in a local church because she had converted to Islam.

Separately, dozens of mostly masked protesters hurled stones and firebombs in clashes with riot police at Egypt’s presidential palace in a Cairo suburb. Protests have become a weekly occurrence in Egypt with unrest continuing since the 2011 uprising.

In Asia the story is the same. Asia News recently published a terrifying story. “Christian tombs were recently desecrated and a young Christian woman was gang-raped for an entire night. In both cases, police refused to file a First Information Report, allowing the culprits to escape justice.”

The Christian minority in Pakistan is persistently abused. “Whether it involves Christian-owned land and property or individuals who are targeted because they are defenceless, victims will not find justice with the country’s legal system.

The Pakistan Christian Post reports: “Muslim landowners destroyed and desecrated a Christian graveyard, using a tractor to plough over a number of tombs. Buried coffins were broken and the bones of the dead were brought to the surface. The local police refused to open an inquiry, whilst the landowners utter threats against local Christians to get them to stop legal proceedings.”

Islamic Jihad circulated this frightening report from Pakistan: “A powerful Muslim businessman, with the help of a group of accomplices, kidnapped two Christian sisters, forced them to convert to Islam and marry him.

“The girl’s father reported the kidnapping to the police but the police blocked investigations by reversing the facts: the daughters fled because of their father’s violence.

“A priest from the diocese of Faisalabad points out that the kidnapping of young women has become “common practice”, because the authorities and police are “puppets in the hands of extremists.”

The word “violence” can be defined to extend far beyond pain and shedding blood. It carries the meaning of physical force, violent language, fury and, more importantly, forcible interference.

Violence also refers to that which is psychologically destructive, that which demeans, damages, or depersonalizes others. In view of these considerations, violence may be defined as follows: any action, verbal or nonverbal, oral or written, physical or psychical, active or passive, public or private, individual or institutional/societal, human or divine, in whatever degree of intensity, that abuses, violates, injures, or kills.

Some of the most pervasive and most dangerous forms of violence are those that are often hidden from view (against women and children, especially); just beneath the surface in many of our homes, churches, and communities is abuse enough to freeze the blood.

Moreover, many forms of systemic violence often slip past our attention because they are so much a part of the infrastructure of life (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism). Thus, under his definition, Christian violence includes “forms of systemic violence such as poverty, racism, and sexism.

Approximately 10 per cent of the 2 billion Christians in the world suffer persecution. This means that some 200 million Christians suffer harsh repercussions because of their religion.

Persecution of Christians often serves as an indicator of the status of religious freedom for other minorities, since where Christians are persecuted, other religions tend also to suffer.

A more startling figure on Christian persecution was published by the German news agency, IDEA. It claimed that since the crucifixion of Christ, more than 43 million Christians have been killed for their faith.

It includes persecution of Catholics mostly, before and at the beginning, of the Spanish Civil war (1936–1939) which involved the murder of almost 7,000 priests and other clergy, as well as thousands of lay people, by sections of nearly all the leftist groups because of their faith.

The Republican government which had come to power in Spain in 1931 was strongly anti-Catholic, prohibiting religious education – even in private school, prohibiting any education by religious institutes, seizing Church property and expelling the Jesuits from the country.

During the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939, and especially in the early months of the conflict, individual clergymen and entire religious communities were executed by leftists, which included communists and anarchists.

The death toll of the clergy alone included 13 bishops, 4,172 diocesan priests and seminarians, 2,364 monks and friars and 283 nuns, for a total of 6,832 clerical victims. On the night of 19 July 1936 alone, some fifty churches were burned. In Barcelona, out of the 58 churches, only the Cathedral was spared, and similar desecrations occurred almost everywhere in Republican Spain.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

KENYA & WORLD: PRESS DAY MARKED AS TWO JOURNALISTS RECEIVE DEATH THREATS

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

Today is World Press Freedom Day. Although the day gives people the chance to pay tribute to media professionals who risked or lost their lives in the line of duty, in Kenya as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports-Kenya: 2013 – Committee to Protect Journalists, the day is marked at the time two investigative journalists have received death threats.

Mohammed Ali and John-Allan Namu, investigative journalists from the private KTN television network received threats from anonymous callers and via social networking sites on Wednesday, according to Namu and Willis Angira, associate producer for KTN.

David Ohito, news editor of The Standard, which is also affiliated with KTN, told CPJ that the threats were linked to an investigative story aired on KTN two weeks ago, called “Inside Story: Death in Ten Minutes” that suggested foul play in a helicopter crash that killed former Interior Minister George Saitoti.

It is also being celebrated at the time police were also implicated in the January 2009 murder of Weekly Citizen journalist Francis Nyaruri, shortly after he investigated corruption within the police department.

Nyaruri was brutally murdered in western Kenya in January 2009 while investigating suspected corruption in a police construction project. The investigation has not yielded arrests to date.

Just recently a correspondent for The Star daily newspaper was found dead Sunday morning in his house in the coastal city of Mombasa. A housemate found reporter Bernard Wesonga with blood on his nose and mouth at around 11:30 a.m. according to Star Deputy Editor Charles Kerich.

Local journalists said Wesonga, 27, was with friends at a local pub in Mombasa Saturday night, leaving around 10 p.m. Wesonga had told friends he recently received anonymous threats via text message in connection with a story that described allegations of unlawful shipment and sale of fertilizer that had exceeded its expiration date. Authorities have not established a cause of death.

Against the background that on Saturday, March 9, 2013, US President Barack Obama made a statement in a gala for journalists in Washington that appeared to suggest that Kenya is not a safe destination for foreign correspondents.

“They’ve risked everything to bring us stories from places like Syria and Kenya, stories that need to be told,” he said. Syria is currently in the midst of a bloody civil war that was started on the pretext of removing its dictatorial ruler Assad from power. The conflict in Syria has killed more than 70,000 people.

The period following the Kenya’s last presidential elections in 2007 was marred by widespread ethnic violence. Over a thousand people were killed. Kenya’s journalists, especially those working independently, found themselves the targets of public anger, police intolerance and political fury. Many were threatened, injured, attacked and had equipment damaged or taken.

In Nairobi the day will be marked with two key celebrations:

1)The regional journalists convention – Second Annual Journalism Excellence Awards (AJEA) Gala, an event that seeks to acknowledge, identify and promote excellence in media in Kenya

2) The Executive Council meeting of World Association of Press Councils (WAPC, which will draw participants of press councils from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Somalia Burundi, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Nepal, the United States of America, Pakistan, India, Malawi, and North Cyprus among others.

These events will focus on safety and protection of journalists and encourage Development Journalism in Kenya in respect to Vision 2030.

Each year since 1997, the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize is awarded to honor the work of an individual or an organization defending or promoting freedom of expression, especially if it puts the individual’s life at risk.

The award is named after a journalist murdered in 1986 after denouncing drug barons. Last year it was awarded posthumously to a Russian investigative reporter who was murdered in a contract-style killing in 2006.

Established by the General Assembly of the United Nations in December 1993 as an outgrowth of the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African Press, World Press Freedom Day has only been celebrated since 1993. This seminar took place in Namibia in 1991 and led to the adoption of the Windhoek Declaration on Promoting Independent and Pluralistic Media.

It has much deeper roots in the United Nations, Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration on Human Rights which states that everyone “has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”.

The Windhoek Declaration called to establish, maintain and foster an independent, pluralistic and free press. It emphasized the importance of a free press for developing and maintaining democracy in a nation, and for economic development. World Press Freedom Day is celebrated annually on May 3, the date on which the Windhoek Declaration was adopted.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

USA: Shut down Guantanamo

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From: Manuel de Lizarriturri

Below is an email from Manuel de Lizarriturri, a MoveOn member who started a petition on the MoveOn website, where anyone can start their own online petition.

President Obama: Deliver on your campaign promise and shut down Guantanamo.

Sign the Petition!

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289657&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx&t=4

Dear MoveOn member,

President Obama promised during his campaign that one of his top priorities would be closing the prison at Guantanamo. The New York Times reported on April 25 that the treatment of detainees is inhumane. It’s time for the president to deliver on his promise, and for Congress to allow him do so.

That’s why I started a petition to the United States Congress and President Barack Obama, which says:

Mr. President, when detainees with no hope of release go on a permanent hunger strike and are force-fed through nasal tubes, America can no longer claim to be the worldwide champion of human rights. How can you sleep at night knowing you have reneged on your campaign promise? Please close the Guantanamo Bay prison now!

visit the address here below to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

http://www.moveon.org/r?r=289657&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx&t=5

Thanks!

–Manuel de Lizarriturri

This petition was created on MoveOn’s online petition site, where anyone can start their own online petitions. Manuel de Lizarriturri didn’t pay us to send this email—we never rent or sell the MoveOn.org list.

Want to support our work? MoveOn Civic Action is entirely funded by our 8 million members—no corporate contributions, no big checks from CEOs. And our tiny staff ensures that small contributions go a long way. Chip in at web address below.
https://civic.moveon.org/donatec4/creditcard.html?cpn_id=457&id=67060-21095459-cBVl2Yx

Kenya: GOD FINALLY HEARS THE CRY FOR JUSTICE BY BUTERE GIRLS

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
*The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images*
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2013

At last the High Court has lifted a ban on the controversial play ‘Shackles of Doom’ by Butere Girls High School saying the move by the government was unlawful. Justice David Majanja ordered that the play must be shown because the Constitution does not allow a ban and it is not enough for the ministry of Education to ban it without reason.

Banned without reason because what the play depicts is real in Kenya. The play captures national ills of nepotism and tribalism which has tempered with development in Kenya since 1963 when Kenya got independence. The play was allegedly banned by the Kenya Schools and Colleges Drama Festival Executive Secretary Patrick Sirengo Khaemba.

The suit was filed by human rights activist and a long time friend of mine Okiya Omtatah.

The Permanent Secretary for Education George Godia and Attorney General Githu Muigai were listed as respondents.

Shackles of doom is play that depicts a film shoot set in the land of the Kanas, who refer to themselves as the TRUE KANAS, their land is oil rich but they are ignorant of the treasure that lies beneath their soil….a delegation arrives to their land and offer a beautiful lady – Wamaitha, to be married off to Lopush who is “Kana” in exchange of land where they settle.

Wamaitha is 3 weeks pregnant when they come and Kimani who is purported to be her guardian is responsible, she is married off against her will and her community with great determination and strong will construct “Mafuta Oil Refinery Company”.

During appointing of human resource, job opportunities are given with biasness and nepotism! The people of Kana demand for equal opportunities but are dismissed; only one person is considered from the marginalised community but as a watchman.

On the eve of Lopush and Wamaitha’s wedding, Kimani who is the CEO of the refinery company has an order to deliver 600 barrels of oil and dictates that everybody works on the night shift including those who were on duty during daytime. Lopush is not spared either because of his wedding that is coming up at the break of dawn; he is forced to be on duty as a security officer.

Kimani invades Lopush’s house demanding for intimacy from Wamaitha, of which she declines and they are caught up in the argument by Lopush who has absconded his duty in rebellion. Kimani hides in the children’s bedroom but unfortunately Lopush finds him, Wamaitha insists that the daughter can bare her witness that she did not fornicate.

As a matter of bad fortune she finds the daughter dead, still and lifeless when she goes to wake her up. Kimani is accused of her demise. A technical hitch occurs in the Mafuta Oil Refinery Company and there is a fire breakout at about the same time, angry villagers are summoned and just when they want to deal with the accused murderer (Kimani), his wife calls and says they are trapped in an inferno and Lopush has the keys to all the exits.

The whole village rush to help but they find a tragic scene, everyone has been consumed by the inferno, Wamaitha breaks news that her dead daughter was Kimani’s child.

The film director calls for cut and signifies end of their shooting, one member of the cast however retorts that the film has no credible resolution and cannot compete favourably, she suggests that all the communities be equally represented in employment opportunities for good relations, harmony and peaceful coexistence. Cameras were rolling in the meantime and the director terms the resolution to be credible.

The play is* written by award winning play-wright Cleophas Malalah, the Kakamega MCA for Mariakalo Ward. The play won Zonal, Divisional, District, Regional levels but banned from being staged at the National Drama Festivals set for Mombasa this month on claims that play is hate speech.*

* *

*The play calls for a thorough clean up of the mess in government key position jobs awarded to one particular ethnic and regional community. It calls for clean up in the *Ministry of Internal Security and Provincial Administrative beginning with Permanent secretary post, CID Director, GSU post, NSC – Peace and Conflict Management, Government Printer and Senior Director Administration/Internal Security.

Other messes that the play calls upon for a clean up include the Finance Ministry beginning with Permanent Secretary, Pensions secretary, ERD director, D/Finance secretary, and Controller and Auditor General.

Another key position the play calls upon for a clean up include Central Bank beginning with its Govern, Deputy Governor, Kenya Revenue Authority Commissioner General, Board Secretary, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Investigation and Enforcement, Deputy Commissioner, Administration and Deputy Commissioner Procurement.

Other key positions that need clean up include Commissioner for customs services, Senior Deputy Commissioner (Customs), Deputy Commissioner, Finance and Commissioner Domestic Taxes (LTO).

Senior Assistant Commissioner, Security, Senior Deputy Commissioner, Southern Region and Commissioner of Investigation and Enforcement post- Kenya Airports Authority MD, and General Manager Finance.

General Manager Marketing and Business Development, General Manager Information and Communication, Technology, General Manager Security Services, Head of Corporate Communications / PA to the MD, and Head of Procurement and Logistics.

Ministry of Industrialization, Chairman of the National Standards Council, Permanent Secretary, and Chairman of the Board-Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC)- Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.

Company Secretary, Chief Manager, Energy Transmission, Commercial Services, Distribution Chief Manager, Planning, Research and Performance Monitoring; Eng. Kenya Petroleum Refineries General Manager, Finance Manager, Human Resource Manager and Engineering Manager.

It is Kenyan people’s hope that after Sunday performance by Butere Girls High School Drama Club, current government headed by Hon Ohuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto would have heard the cry of these tender girls, crying for their beloved country Kenya-to act and made balance in these key posts among other posts.

*Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ*
*Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578*
*E-mail **omolo.ouko@gmail.com***
*Facebook-omolo beste*
*Twitter-@8000accomole*

* *
*Real change must come from ordinary people who refuse to be taken hostage by the weapons of politicians in the face of inequality, racism and oppression, but march together towards a clear and unambiguous goal.*

*-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ*
*UN Disarmament*
*Conference, 2002*
* *

?AIDS Rights? The statement about Japanese writer Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO was again refused to enter into Mainland China 20130405

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From: Chang Kun
Changkun2010@gmail.com
April 5, 2013

Through the mail from him:“ today I , ASO SEIICHIRO, was again refused to enter into Mainland China at Lo Wu Control Point in Shenzhen City. Why? I always have a good influence in Chinese NGOs, the government is unhappy? They also closed the Dali’s film festival today.” We regret to hear that, and are unhappy about what that had happened.

Last time when he was refused to enter into Mainland China was on November 5, 2012. He planned to enter into China from Beijing international airport, but the police stopped him and arranged for his return to Tokyo. Later we learned that it was the first time he was refused to enter into China. Because of at the eve of the eighteenth Congress of the Communist Party of China, some of friends blind encourage him that it was just an accident. If he chose Pudong International Airport or Guangzhou, Shenzhen, maybe everything is going well.

But it is inexplicable to hear he is again refused to enter into Mainland China at Lo Wu Control Point in Shenzhen City. We are also quite angry for it. Even thousands of mountains also could not prevent the flow of a stream. Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO is a very gentle man. He lets more Japanese people to know civil society of China by his own thinking and writing. He promotes the exchanges of culture between China and Japan, and strengthens the understanding and reduces conflicts. How commendable things there are! What’s more precious, ASO SEIICHIRO has been visiting many activists no matter how hard. He introduces the Japanese how the activists’ work and their ideas. Is that really a problem?

I strongly believe that the decision involve Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO is very unwise.

In summer of 2010, I and Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO was acquainted with each other. Since that, he came into China nine times. No matter where he was, such as in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou or Chongqing etc, he always visited to my office, have fun with our friends. We talked and even debated something, but still more tolerance and understanding.

During the communication with Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO, his strong civic spirit and civil society consciousness deeply touched my friends and me. For example, he doesn’t give others in trouble as soon as possible. It is something like the consciousness of rules, and also it has become the important language during the AIBO Youth Center’s education work of “Rule Consciousness”, which is a public service community, was started on May 4th, 2010, in Linquan City, Anhui Province which is mainly to carry out the work of civil rights education and change the social environments of my hometown.

Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO is more than 20 years older than me. But our friendship is so profound that it cannot use any simple word to describe. I can’t forget when he bought bottled water to flush the toilet in the middle of the night, and then he seriously said that he would suicide if he didn’t do it. That’s a day the water supply was cut off without note.

In December last year, Japan’s Kyodo News agency reporter Mr. WATANABE Yasuhito went to Zhengzhou City to interview me about the good friendship between ASO SEIICHIRO and me, which made me surprise.

Today, the gentle man, Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO who is promoting people-to-people culture exchange and strengthening the understanding and reducing conflicts between China and Japan was again refused enter into Mainland China. I was very sad and can’t understand about it.

We hope the relevant departments can truly know more about Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO, and allow his free enter into Mainland China in accordance with the law.

At the same time, we are firmly opposed to swindle or infringe behavior upon the interests of our country, such as swindling the money in the name of the so-called “stability, deliberately making the barriers to the social development and progress in the name of the so-called “merits”.

Contact ASO SEIICHIRO:
Telephone in Tokyo: 08054124915
Telephone in China: 15820785674
Mobile phone in Hong Kong: 852-56250302
E-mail: gikyoudai@hotmail.com

Contact Chang Kun:
Telephone: 13349108944
E-mail: Changkun2010@gmail.com

KENYA: UNCOVERING NEPOTISM ISN’T HATE SPEECH

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
FRIDAY, APRIL 5, 2013

Butere Girls High School drama club and the entire school are so disappointed. Their drama, ‘Shackles of Doom’, which depicts unequal distribution of resources and dominance of top positions by main ethnic groups, will not be staged at the national drama festivals, despite topping the western region contest.

The play was stopped by the Drama Committee even after Butere District Education quality assurance officer Isaac Ngaya said he watched the play and found no offending sections that warranted censorship. The claim was that the play contained hate speech and for that matter it was offensive.

The play acted by two girls wondered whether nepotism will really end in Kenya. Even before Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have not been sworn in their government has been accused of nepotism.

The girls were wondering why in Kenya any leader who comes to power immediately exercises nepotism. Among the most powerful posts have been awarded to Uhuru Kenyatta’s Central and GEMA as well as Ruto’s Rift- Senate Speaker … Ethuro … Rift, Nat. Assembly Speaker … Muturi … Eastern-the girls were crying and wondering who will represent Western, Northern and Coastal who feel cheated by Rift Valley and Central!

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is not spared either. He made sure his ODM party awarded his elder brother Oburu Odinga by nominating him to parliament after people rejected him during the ODM nominations.

Similar case applies to his sister Ruth Odinga who has been awarded ‘deputy governor’ even after Kisumu people rejecting her. Ruth had known before general election that she was going to be awarded the post of deputy governor.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day a day late with pupils at Shiners Centre in Kisumu town on February 14, 2013, Ruth introduced herself to the pupils and staff as “the Kisumu County Deputy Governor and Raila’s sister”. She signed the visitors’ book ‘Deputy Governor Kisumu County’.

This could imply that even if Raila became the president nepotism was not going to end. Earlier on Raila had been accused for having allegedly favoured his relatives and friends as well as the financial heavyweight Luos in the former cabinet appointment to the grand coalition government.

Dr. Oburu Oginga was appointed an Assistant Minister of Finance. The other centre of controversy was the appointment of Mr. Phillip Onyango Sika as the PS in the Ministry of Metropolitan development. The new PS hails from gem constituency also in Siaya and is the relative of the Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo whose mother is the younger sister of Raila Odinga’s mother.

Critics blamed Raila for having ignored Migori, Rachuonyo, Kisumu and Nandio districts only concentrating with appointment of people from Siaya and Bondo districts.

Even Kenyatta was not spared either. He used nomination slots to nominate his relatives. He paid back his first cousin Beth Mugo with a TNA nomination to the senate after Mugo stepped down in favour of Mike Sonko who was elected Nairobi senator.

One of the adjudicators at the regional level, Prof Christopher Odhiambo of Moi University, said their role is not to censure but to suggest improvements in case a play contains offending information.

The author of the play, Cleophas Malala is a politician and a scriptwriter, but his play has been adjudged to be politically incorrect. Despite the ban, Mr Malala says his plays are motivated by his desire to fight for the rights of the oppressed, especially the marginalized ethnic communities in Kenya.

In the zonal, district and regional competitions the play by Butere Girls emerged the winner despite the fact that someone loyal to the government thinks it has a political twist.

The play was motivated by unequal distribution of resources in the country. The play depicts a film shot in the land of the ‘Kanas’, who refer to themselves as the ‘True Kanas’. Their land is rich in oil, but they are ignorant of the treasure that lies beneath their soil.

Malala cited an audit by the Commission for Integration and National Cohesion (NCIC) on distribution of public appointments which showed glaring inequalities in public jobs.

“I am just replaying what happens in our society and even NCIC knows that, so what is my sin?” Malala wonders.

The fact however, remains that the unequal distribution of wealth has always been a huge problem in Kenya since independence that has plagued society throughout the ages. Even as forms of governments of Kenya have changed, the unequal distribution of wealth has remained a constant.

That is why the Butere girls’ actress were crying wondering who will save Kenya from these evil ills. They were crying because the unequal distribution of wealth makes the living conditions of the less fortunate undesirable, because the upper class is usually concerned about gaining and maintaining their own wealth first and concerned about others second.

The girls were crying because it is difficult for the poor to rise above the poverty level, because they are dependent upon what the upper class deems is a fair wage for producing the goods that they make.

Against the background that Karl Marx saw conflict as necessary and desirable to bring about social change. This social change would then result in the equal distribution of wealth and resources.

After viewing the suffering of the masses, Karl Marx hoped that they would rise up against oppression and bring about a social change where there would be an equal distribution of resources.

The conflict that Marx spoke about was not necessarily violence. Conflict referred to tension, differences in beliefs and values, conflict of interest and competition. These all exist in every society and according to Marx, they are the basis for social change.

The play reminds me of my own play I wrote in early 1990s when I was the Rector of Keserian Juniro Seminary. The play “But Why” was banned by the Kajiado Drama Committee because it was asking why The Central Bank of Kenya had been used to provide liquidity to politically well connected financial institutions such as Trade Bank, Pan African Bank and Exchange Bank.

Such banks were being used to launder the residential campaign money into convertible currencies abroad. In 1992 alone, the Central Bank printed and released for circulation more than 12 billion Kenya shillings.

This was the time 7 billion shillings was used by Kanu as slush fund to manipulate the electoral process according to Finance Magazine, March 31, 1993. It was also the time 500 and 200 notes were printed, YK’ 92, used most of 500 notes to campaign for bribery and corruption machinery to make Kanu win the elections.

The printing of 500 notes, 200 and 100 was an addition to 2.35 billion. As of the end of September 1992, the amount of currency in circulation in Kenya was 15.85 billion. It was also during this time that Lake Basin Development Authority had been pushed to near collapse due to general elections.

During that time Kenya had been ranked by the World Bank and International Monetary Fund as the 24th poorest country in the world a gross national product per capita of $370 per year-down from the$400 plus attained by the end of the eighties.

The average annual growth rate per capita had therefore been either zero or negative for the eighties. By the year 2000 Kenyan economy was rated negative 0.3 percent according to East African Standard, June 8, 20001.

This was the lowest ever recorded since the collapse of the shilling in 1993 in the wake of the Goldenberg scandal and paper money and the crisis of the 1990’s-instead of answering the question but why the play was banned.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

EAST AFRICA LAWYERS CONDEMN KISUMU KILINGS

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By Agwanda Saye

Lawyers from East Africa have accused police officers of shooting to kill demonstrators in Kisumu over the weekend.

They called for prosecution of the trigger happy police officers towards bringing to an end perpetual shooting of demonstrators using live bullets.

The East Africa Law Society President James Mwamu said firing of live bullets when quelling down demonstrations at the lakeside city must stop.

“We demand an explanation from the police force as the officers seemed to have been given orders not only to shoot but shoot and kill,” Mwamu said.

Mwamu said that several of the civilans who are nursing gunshot wounds at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Provincial Hospital were shot while running away.

“It seems that it is has become a rule in the police force that every time there is demonstration in Kisumu live bullets must be used,” Mwamu said.

The EALS President said that the security officers have in the past five years shot to kill protestors at the lakeside city.

Mwamu was reacting to media reports following demonstrations that rocked parts of Kisumu after the Supreme Court upheld the Presidential election of Uhuru Kenyatta.

Gun shots were heard up to almost midnight as armed police officers dispersed youth from Kondele and chased them to areas such as Nyawita, Obunga and Nyalenda.

“The Constitutional right to life must not be taken for granted and can only be taken away legally,” Mwamu said.

Article 26 of the Constitution provides that every person has the right to life and shall not be deprived of life intentionally except when authorized by the Supreme Law.

“We strongly condemn the shootings in Kisumu that led to the death of two civilians and injuring several others on Saturday evening,” Mwamu said.

The EALS President said that the police must up hold the rule of law arguing that use of excessive force must stop under the new Constitutional dispensation.

Ends…..

Kenya: Dictatorship slowly creeping in as we all watch

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From: odhiambo okecth

Friends,

A few things have been disturbing me, and as is in my nature, I will not keep quiet.

Is Kenya becoming a Police Dictatorship? Why is the Inspector General of Police keen on gagging Kenyans and denying us our freedom to assemble, talk and associate?

We have come a long way with our fight for democracy and reforms. Many Kenyans have been killed in this journey, while many more have been maimed, tortured beyond repair and suffered stints in detention for agitating for change and reforms.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AV7BLbtR0Fs/UUr07q9mmuI/AAAAAAAADWc/YuyuVZajW-4/s1600/DSCF8151.JPG

The more garbage we clear, the more garbage we generate.

We have come full circle and going by the results of the last General Elections which have been disputed, many Kenyans care less about reforms and democracy. But we all care about our freedoms.

The Civil Society have effectively undergone a complete metamorphosis and no one cares about the tenets of democracy any more. Many care only about the many hotel seminars that they attend and the attendant perks that come with such lofty engagements.

This is why many issues of Governance and Peace are only held in seminars and in hotels where the people who attend are the same same people who keep meeting about such things. They move to congregate from one hotel to another in different locations and they have largely remained isolated from the common reality.

Who is going to talk for the common man whose rights of speech, association and assembly is now being slowly eroded by the new Sherrif in Town? Is the Sherrif acting within the law when he declares all meetings illegal? Is he acting on behalf of some other unseen face? Or, is he afraid of something we all do not know?

Our agitation for repeal of Section 2A led to the first Multi Party elections where the Professor of Kenyan politics Mzee President [rtd] Daniel Arap Moi won albeit with a slim majority the General Elections of 1992. He again won in 1997 to complete his two terms in office.

During this time, there was acceleration of reforms and the gains we had made were never eroded.

Then in 2002, we all rallied behind Mzee President Mwai Kibaki. We started seeing systemic attempts to erode the gains we had made. The first such attempt was in 2005 when we were saddled with a watered down version of a Constitution which we effectively rejected.

The second such attempt has been the question of the County Commissioners. The Courts nullified their appointments but the Executive Wing of Government simply ignored those orders. They have now ordered the Ministers who won other posts to resign and that will be effected. It does not matter how much noise the Prime Minister may make on this.

We have seen nothing in the form of national healing and cohesion. Jobs have been given out in a manner that left many people wondering where Kenya was heading to. And the constant rejoinder was that people were being appointed based on their competency. Competency hence become the justification. And Kenyans watched with baited breath as some key State Offices become a preserve of competencies from the appointing authority.

We then went through a General Election that was generally flawed in 2007 and Mzee KIbaki reached a common agreement with Raila Odinga and they formed a Coalition Government. They forgot to punish the people who messed the election that severely caused friction between them. 1,133 Kenyans were killed at that time, 600,000 more were uprooted from their homes and property of unknown value was destroyed across all Kenya. And no one has been punished for this! And now, we are being warned not to talk, not to assemble and not to freely associate!

The International Criminal Court is also now realizing how tough it is to deal with the dark forces of impunity.

As we speak, there is a game of cats and mice going on with regard to resettling those who were Internally displaced. I thought these people were displaced from somewhere, and now that we have peace between the then protagonists, people can just happily go back to where they were displaced from.

I bet Kenya is facing more serious problems and the attempts by the IGP are simply therapeutic. I do not want to believe that we have gone full circle and all that we fought for have come to nothing.

It is also good to realize that material wealth has replaced ideals. Many people have at long realized that ideals do not place bread on the table, while money does. Many are hence throwing all caution to the wind in pursuit of power, raw power and money. And with it, Kenya is being saddled with a leadership that will shame the whole country.

Pray, why must we elect journeymen into our Legislative Bodies- the National Assembly and the Senate? What is the problem with us? The gods must be absolutely crazy and they must be dancing on the graves of all those gallant sons and daughters of Kenya who fought for reforms and return to Multy Party Politics.

I really would not want to imagine that the Police are willing to be major players in silencing Kenyans, or, clubbing Kenyans into submission at a time thugs are running amok across Kenya!

Crime is escalating and the Police are looking helpless about it. Yet, they have the audacity to come policing innocent Kenyans whose only crime seems to be Freedoms of association, assembly and speech.

I would want to believe that their hands are tied and they have enough to justify for their existence.

The dark clouds are gathering and everyone seems to be taking off as the Inspector General of Police assumes new powers hitherto not known in Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,

Komarock Nairobi

World: ?AIDS Rights? A letter from an accuser

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From: Kun Chang

Accuser: Chang Kun, male, born on June 6th ,1985, Han nationality, live in 53-2, Fulin Road, Chengguan Town, Linquan County, Fuyang City, Anhui Province.

Accused person: Public Security Bureau?PSB?, Linquan County, Fuyang City, Anhui Province.

Legal Corporate Representation: Chen Qi, director-general of the Linquan City Public Security Bureau.

Accused person: Chen Jie, male, the inspector of Linquan City Public Security Bureau in Dongguan Local Police Station. The telephone number is 13966587511.

Accused person: Gu Jian, male, the original instructor of Linquan City Public Security Bureau in Dongguan Local Police Station. The telephone number is 13805610988.

The request from the accuser:

A?That Chang Yingbin attacked Chang Kun is illegal. Linquan City Public Security Bureau, Anhui Province, should look into the case and Chang Yingbin shall be investigated for his responsibility.

B?Linquan City Public Security Bureau and the Local Police Station in Dongguan didn’t punish the illegal behavior of Chang Yingbin. So the accuser think they are illegal.

C?The accused person Chen Jie and Gu Jian shall be investigated for their misconduct.

The facts and reasons from the accuser:

A?The illegal crime fact of Chang Yingbin attacked Chang Kun. Chang Yingbin was the original deputy director of the Guangming community, Chengguan Town, LinQuan County.

At around ten o ‘clock in the morning on April 4, 2012, Chang Yingbin abused Chang Kun in the crossings of Xinjian Road and Gangkou Road (now it is a waste transfer station). Suddenly, Chang Kun was attacked by someone in the back. Then I ran out, and calling “police, someone is hitting me,”. They drag and hit me a lot, and I stood up finally , taking hold the box car behind me. The police come over, and also there had some riot police. They asked Chang Kun to the police station and assisted in the investigation. Chang Kun stand on the steps, back against the box car, and said to villagers around” I’ve just been attacked, now the police Meng Xianjing (telephone is 13966583485 )asked me to go to the police station to assist their investigation, I am not caught! I’ll come back soon!” the police Meng also loudly said “yes!”

On April 4, at about eleven, Chang Kun was in Dongguan Local Police Station to be investigated. Then he asked the police, why not control the attackers, otherwise they would continue to hit. The instructor of Dongguan Local Police Station GuJian (telephone is 13805610988) said a lot about to protect Chang Kun. At this time, Chang Kun heard that the attackers hit someone again. At last I knew that my mother was attacked by the brain when she was on the phone. She was taken to a hospital by emergency ambulance.

At 12:38 on April 4, Chang kun’s head suddenly was very heavy. Chang Kun can hardly support and put the head on the chair. Chang kun required the police to make a record of the happenings , and the police did it.

But at 14:10 on April 4, Chang kun and some friends came to conference room on the third floor of Kaiyue Wangchao Hotel, Linquan County. When Chang Kun sat on the chair and looked on the phone. Chang Yingbin and some other people suddenly rushed into the conference room. I fall on the floor on my back and lost consciousness.

About 19 o ‘clock on April 4, the police Meng (his telephone is 13966583485)came to the Brain Surgery in-Patient Department 11 beds of People’s Hospital in Linquan County to find Chang Kun. He made a record for Chang Kun. At that time Chang Kun have woke up, and the brain consciousness was relatively clear. But Chang Kun had difficulty in speaking and couldn’t completely say a word. Chang Kun’s upper body can’t move flexible, especially the head can’t turn.

B?The Public Security Bureau took sides in the criminals and his negative act is illegal.

(a), The police on the scene did not take measures to stop the criminal Chang Yingbin, and also didn’t take appropriate measures after the case happened. So that it led directly to Chang Kun and Chang Kun’s mother were attacked again.

At about ten in the morning on April 4, 2011, two policemen in Dongguan Local Police Station arrived at the scene. But they didn’t stop Chang Yingbin’s bad behavior, but took Chang Kun to the police station to make a record. Chang Yingbin beat Chang kun in the presence of the police. So Chang Kun was repeatedly attacked, and the clothes were also tore lousy. When Chang Kun asked the police, why not control the attackers, otherwise they would continue to hit someone? Amazingly, Gujian, the original instructor of Linquan City Public Security Bureau in Dongguan Local Police Station, said what they did are trying to protect Chang Kun. If so, Why don’t you put the violent catch up? Why don’t you stop the attackers when Chang Kun was under beaten? It’s all nonsense, Gujian and the attackers are in the same gang. He is an accomplice dressed in the police uniform. Chang Kun suggest to the leaders that you should get rid of him. Chang Kun’s mother was attacked by the brain when she was on the phone. She was taken to a hospital by emergency ambulance. It’s really can’t speak all his bad behaviors!

On 14:10 in the April 4, Chang Kun was in the conference in Kairui Wangchao

Hotel. Chang Yingbin rushed in it and hit Chang Kun. Chang Kun lost consciousness. The Public Security Bureau took sides in the criminals. May be they are in the same gang?If they don’t have interest relations, how can they neglect Chang Yingbin’s so bad behavior? They are really in for their own selfish, disregard to the state dignity and the law? !

(b). The negative act of LinQuan County Public Security Bureau and the Dongguan Local Police Station is illegal.

on April 4, 2011 at 11 o ‘clock, when Chang Kun was taken to Dongguan Local Police Station to make a record, Chang Kun’s mother was also attacked. On April 4, 2011 in the afternoon, the Public Security Bureau took sides in the criminals and led Chang Kun was attacked again to coma in hospital. All the things, Chang Kun’s father repeated visited LinQuan County Public Security Bureau and Dongguan Local Police Station to ask to punish the murderers all the year. But they all did not take any effective measures, and lack of supervision. In close to a year, they didn’t have any processing results about the case. The criminal Chang Yingbin are still at large.

In addition, Chen Jie(the telephone is 13966587511), the inspector of Dongguan Local Police Station, answered that they were waiting for the instruction of Ge Jinhai, secretary of Chengguan Town.

I am very confused about the relationships between LinQuan County Public Security

Bureau and Chengguan Town? Why the inspector of Dongguan Local Police Station Chen Jie actually need to the instruction of secretary of Chengguan Town GeJinHai? If not so, why LinQuan County Public Security Bureau still don’t handle the case?

According to ninety-ninth regulation of “L aw of the PRC on Penalties for Administration of Public Security”: ” Public Security Bureau has a time limit about the cases, from the date of acceptance of not more than thirty days; if the case is grave and complicated, the Public Security Bureau can prolong thirty days at the next higher level for approval.”

LinQuan County Public Security Bureau neglect the legal regulations of our country.

They maliciously dragged on the case, which is a serious violation of the rights of the accuser Chang Kun! The negative act is illegal. As its agencies, Dongguan Local Police Station disregard our national law, took sides in the criminals, and it is unable to perform a national legal obligation.

In all, the accuser request that the relevant authority should handle the letter. Supervise and correct the wrong act of LinQuan County Public Security Bureau and Dongguan Local Police Station, especially about their negative act and took sides in the criminals. Chang Kun request to punish the criminal Chang Yingbin. Please look into the possible malversation!

Best wishes

Fuyang City Public Security Bureau!

The accuser: Chang Kun

December 17, 2012

Copy to: People’s Congress Standing Committee of LinQuan County, People’s Procuratorate of LinQuan County, LinQuan County Commission for Discipline Inspection, Linquan County Supervision Bureau, People’s Congress Standing Committee of Fuyang City, Fuyang City Commission for Discipline Inspection, Fuyang City Supervision Bureau, People’s Congress Standing Committee of Anhui Province, Anhui Province Commission for Discipline Inspection ,Anhui Province Public Security Bureau, Anhui Province Supervision Bureau, Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Ministry of Public Security, State Bureau for Letters and Calls.

CAMEROON & USA: FEB 2008-TH FEB 28TH 2013-COMMEMORATION RALLY

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From: P. Sylvie Yonke

[image]Paul Eric Kingue (left, beige suit), Ex Mayor of Njombe-Penja still in jail, Lapiro de Mbanga (right, yellow shirt) liberated

[image]Joe La Conscience was liberated, but hundreds or thousands of people arrested in February 2008 are, five years later, still in the various rotten and inhumane jails across Cameroon and many have certainly died there as well.

RALLY THURSDAY FEBRUARY 28TH 2013, FROM 11AM TO 2PM.

IN FRONT OF THE EMBASSY OF CAMEROON TO THE USA, 3400 INTERNATIONAL DRIVE, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20008 OFF CONNECTICUT AVE,

VAN NESS-UDC METRO STATION

CALL NAPI TAGNIDOUNG ABOUT CARS LEAVING FROM YOUR AREA 203-434-2832

“You cannot plow a field by turning it over in your mind” Unknown

Paule-Sylvie Yonke

Balafon Communications
Re-branding the image of Africa
212-510-8512
www.petersmap.com

KENYA: WHY UHURU MAY NOT IMPLEMENT CONSTITUTION

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From: Ouko joachim omolo
The News Dispatch with Omolo Beste in images
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2013

Given that Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta will be voted as the fourth president of Kenya by some sections of Kenyans only, that is Gema and Kalenjins, the communities that have the highest registered voters it will be difficult for him to implement the new constitution.

Kenyans will not stand steadfast in their demand for the truth based on a new constitution because they will have the president who will serve the interest of the communities that voted him.

In this way the constitution will not be people driven because it will not be at the center of people themselves but the parliament or politicians. This will kill the constitution preamble,” We Kenyans”.

Parliament will be forced to amend the constitution that gives much power to those in authority. As such they will use it to intimidate and dictate to people whatever they feel it is on their favor. They will use it to intimidate and dictate because it would have no objectives and visions.

It will not talk about democratic principles that Kenyans should be committed to. It will give the president all the powers to use it in any way he likes. As such it will fail to define the duties of the head of the state and those of head of Government. It will place the president above the law. It will give him power to appoint ministers, public and constitutional officials of his own and taste.

Since the amendment will make president to be above the law, he can dissolve the parliament any time he feels like. He will also not be impeached. With its weakness and indecency, the amended constitution will not protect violation of human rights, guarantee free and fair elections, or directive principles on the management and use of natural resources such as public land, forest, water, wild life, etc.

It will mean that Kenya will be taken back when the police wantonly broken-up peaceful meetings of lobby groups and political parties, even clobbering harmless journalists covering such stories.

It will take us back where many opposition supporters have been inhumanly beaten, injured, and even died. This will give birth to the informal groupings as chinkororos, Jeshi la Mzee and Bagdad boys. In such well planned violence no arrests will be made.

It will also mean that Kenyan people will not unite actively together to re-build Kenya. As such it will deter a clear reflection of the past, a critical look at the present and a focused charting out of the way forward in resuscitating our country and giving it a new lease of life, in the firm belief that we can and are able to reshape our nation’s destiny.

Even churches will have no voice to call to an end the restoration of the separation of powers between Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary, the restoration of the security of tenure of office, the judges, attorney general and the controller and auditor general.

It will take us back when President Jomo Kenyatta’s had little change in cabinet after the General Election of October 1974. He kept Moi, Mbiyu Koinange, Julius Kiano, Mwai Kibaki, Jeremiah Nyagah, James Gichuru, Jackson Angaine, Isaac Omolo-Okero and Charles Njonjo in their jobs, the most stable ministerial team Kenya has ever seen. It will mean appointing only few new ministers.

For his government to be protected Jomo Kenyatta had to bring in Munyua Waiyaki, who had resigned in 1966 in sympathy with former Vice-President Oginga Odinga, not only to replace Njoroge Mungai as foreign minister but also brought in Daniel Mutinda to replace Eliud Mwendwa as the minister for Ukambani among others.

Against the background that amongst Kenyatta’s 12 nominations to Parliament were two representatives of Kenya’s increasingly influential ethnic or tribal unions: Njenga Karume, chairman of Gema, and Mulu Mutisya, leader of the New Akamba Union (NAU).

In this way Kanu was used by Jomo Kenyatta to discriminate the minority ethnic groups such as Kalenjin, miji kenda, Maasai, Luhya, among others. Kanu was predominantly Luo and Kikuyu party.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail omolo.ouko@gmail.com
Facebook-omolo beste
Twitter-@8000accomole

-Anne Montgomery, RSCJ UN Disarmament Conference, 2002

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

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From: Yona Maro

This report focuses mainly on human rights abuses associated with the CIA’s post-September 11, 2001, secret detention and extraordinary rendition operations.

http://allafrica.com/download/resource/main/main/idatcs/00051925:7f45880f78bf4e14f3d5868829e4b723.pdf

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www.jobsunited.blogspot.com International Job Opportunities
www.naombakazi.blogspot.com

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Kenya: LSK on Limuru Country Club

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By Agwanda Saye

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) wants the Limuru Country Club to uphold gender rights under the Constitution.

LSK CEO Apollo Mboya said that the exclusive club had breached the constitutional provision on non-discrimination on gender.

He said that Article 27 of the Constitution provided that every person was equal before the law and had the right to equal protection and benefit of the law.

“Equality includes the full benefit and equal enjoyment of all rights and fundamental freedoms – irrespective of gender,” Mboya said.

The CEO said that men and women had the right to equal treatment including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres.

The Board of Directors of Limuru Country Club held a meeting on December 18, 2012 and allegedly made a by law to disenfranchise lady members, according to documents at LSK.

“We (LSK) call on the Commissioner of Sports Gordon Oluoch and the National Gender and Equality Commission to intervene on the stalemate,” Mboya says.

The CEO said that the issue was before the LSK Gender Committee which would advise the Governing Council on legal steps to take.

“We shall consider legal necessary legal action if the matter is not resolved amicably,” Mboya said.

Mboya said that LSK was in possession of documents showing that the Board of the golf club passed a discriminatory by law that was not in line with the Constitution.

“The by law says that the golf committee was a male affair …lady golfers can only attend its meetings as guests,” Mboya said.

Rose Mambo, Dr Caroline Wangari and Martha Vincent who are members of the club have instructed their lawyers Murgor & Murgor Advocates to write to the club over the matter.

Lawyer Philip Murgor copied the legal letter to Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Ababu Namwamba and National Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Winnie Lichuma.

Murgor said that the Board of Directors had taken away voting rights of the women and consigned them to mere guests during general meetings.

“We are concerned because Dr Wangari and Ms. Vincent have even served as Lady Golf Captains at the exclusive club,” Mboya said.

He said that LSK was concerned that constitutional provisions as stipulated under the Bill of Rights were increasingly breached on economic, social, political spheres.

“It is high time we accept that society has undergone a complete transformation and the Constitution should be our guide,” Mboya said.

Ends

WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF THE ARRESTED EDITOR OF ALMIZAN NEWSPAPER AND A REPORTER

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From: Maurice Oduor

I want to add my voice here to condemn this inhuman act. Those journalists should be released right away and compensation paid to them and their families for the inhuman treatment meted upon them.

Courage,
Oduor Maurice

– – – – – – – – – – –

On Mon, Dec 24, 2012 at 11:57 AM, Yona Maro wrote:

Press Release

WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF THE ARRESTED EDITOR OF ALMIZAN NEWSPAPER AND A REPORTER

In a clandestine operation by combine security operatives (SSS ARMY AND MOPOL) that took place in the early hours of Monday 24th December 2012, the Editor of Al-Mizan newspaper, Malam Musa Muhammad Awwal and a Reporter with the Newspaper, Malam Aliyu Saleh have been whisked away to an unknown destination.

The security operatives, so…me of whom were dressed in military uniforms clampdown on the house of Malam Aliyu Saleh located at Rigasa Kaduna, where they odered all the people in the compound including women and children to to lay flat on the ground despite the cold weather. Malam Aliyu was brutally beaten by the security operatives. They were carrying sophisticated weapons and detectors and they seized their cell phones after harrassing them.

They searched every nook and corner in the house without coming up with anything having not presented any search warrant to their victim.

They whisked away Malam Aliyu Saleh without any arrest warrant, and his wife and went to the house of Malam Musa located close to Makarfi road by Nnamdi Azikiwe way. There, the security operatives harrassed his wife and beat her up, his son was beaten despite his deteriorating health condition and they also took away cell phones and undisclosed amounts of money. They whisked away Malam Musa Awwal without any arrest warrant as well after thoroughly searching his house and his car.

The wife of Malam Aliyu was later dropped along Makarfi road while they did went away with the two journalists, Malam Musa Muhammad Awwal and Malam Aliyu Saleh in separate vehicles.

The wives and children of the affected journalist have confirmed the incident mentioning that the sophisticatedly armed security operatives numbered more than 40 in vehicles numbering more than ten including an amoured vehicle stationed in strategic locations around the area.

Meanwhile, all security points visited have refused to officially confirm the incident although some of the personnels confirmed knowledge of the incident asking for anonimity.

Although it is not clear why they have been arrested, however it might not be unconnected with the lead story of the current edition of the Al-Mizan Newspaper which revealed the attrocities of the Joint Task Force in Potiskum in which 84 persons have been abducted.
The way and manner those charged with managing insecurity in the troubled areas are operating is not encouraging at all because of the way and manner they highten tension and violate the civil rights of their victims.

On behalf of the I.M.Publications, publishers of Al-Mizan Newspaper, we hereby call for the immediate and unconditional release of our staff whose arrest has violated due proccess and their individual human rights.

We shall not relent in all efforts of making this issue publicized all over the world which will subsquently reveal the inadequacies of the security operatives. We hereby call on the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Guild of Editors, Press Union of the Islamic World, Human and Civil Rights groups as well as all concerned and well meaning personalities that believe in fairness and justice to humanity to outrightly denounce this atrocity perpetrated by security personnels in the name of providing security.

Signed

Ibrahim Musa
(Editor-in-chief, Al-Mizan Newspaper)
2348037023343

Picture 1&2 3 Malam Aiyu Saleh Senior Reporter of Almizan and his Bedroom, 4. Malam Musa Muhammad Awwal Editor of ALMIZAN

Images_WE_DEMAND_THE_RELEASE_OF_THE_ARRESTED_EDITOR_OF_ALMIZAN_NEWSPAPER_AND_A_REPORTER_.mht

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ICTs as a key driver for governance in sub-Saharan Africa?

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From: Yona Maro

Do ICTs drive governance in sub-Saharan Africa? Do citizens? Danida, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, held a conference in Copenhagen on April 12 on the the theme, ‘ICT as a key driver for governance in sub-Saharan Africa: Strategies for using the transformative power of mobile phones and social media.’ Guest speakers debated the potential for mobile phones and technology to boost democracy, transparency, accountability and citizen agency.

Links:
http://www.u-landsnyt.dk/kalender-indhold/konference-informations-og-kommunikations-teknolog

http://twaweza.org/index.php?i=901

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East African, international, news, politics, culture, business, discussion forum

Category Archives: Human Rights

Opening New Avenues For Empowerment: ICTs For Persons With Disabilities

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Decade’s Largest Global Conference on Women and Girls bagan today in Kuala Lumpur

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USA: Shut down Guantanamo

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?AIDS Rights? The statement about Japanese writer Mr. ASO SEIICHIRO was again refused to enter into Mainland China 20130405

KENYA: UNCOVERING NEPOTISM ISN’T HATE SPEECH

EAST AFRICA LAWYERS CONDEMN KISUMU KILINGS

Kenya: Dictatorship slowly creeping in as we all watch

World: ?AIDS Rights? A letter from an accuser

CAMEROON & USA: FEB 2008-TH FEB 28TH 2013-COMMEMORATION RALLY

KENYA: WHY UHURU MAY NOT IMPLEMENT CONSTITUTION

Globalizing Torture: CIA Secret Detention and Extraordinary Rendition

Kenya: LSK on Limuru Country Club

WE DEMAND THE RELEASE OF THE ARRESTED EDITOR OF ALMIZAN NEWSPAPER AND A REPORTER

ICTs as a key driver for governance in sub-Saharan Africa?