THIS IS A PART OF THE PETITION PRESENTED TO UK PRIME MINISTER HON. GORDON BROWN BY KENYANS ON FRIDAY 8TH FEBRUARY, 2008
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COVERING NOTE

We, the undersigned, petition the British Government to support the rule of law in Kenya, upholding the principle of democracy by recognising the current incumbent Government of Kenya as the legitimate Government of the country, until such time as the High Court of Kenya makes an order after a successful petition against Kibaki’s election. We petition you to take position over this matter by maintaining that violence, rape and other violations should stop altogether.

We petition the Prime Minister to put pressure on the opposition to stop inciting ethnic violence, arming and training groups of civilians to kill innocent Kenyans and to stop giving financial support to those causing violence and indeed calling for mass action in order to cause violence.

To notify the opposition that should they not heed this warning, perpetrators will be prosecuted.

We petition the Prime Minister to support the Government of Kenya financially to help those who are displaced and rebuilt Kenya

We urge the Prime Minister to share thoughts with the United Nations, United States of America, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other political and economic groups to provide economic assistance to Kenya thereby supporting the country to deal with the current situation and start the healing process.
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MAIN PETITION
Prime Minister office required a contact person and address and the committee agreed to use Mrs. Mabel Muruli Mark address
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The Right Honourable Gordon Brown MP
10 Downing Street
London
SW1A 2AA

Dear Prime Minister

RE: KENYA (ON BEHALF OF KENYAN COMMUNITY ABROAD)

Forgive us for troubling you, we are Kenyan Citizens in Diaspora and have been very concerned like many people by the dramatic events of the recent weeks affecting our home country Kenya.

Like many people we have suffered bereavement as our families and friends became victims of violence.

Kenyan community in the UK numbers at about 100,000 in total and a similar number are British subjects settled and living in Kenya and that’s why Kenyans came together to organise a petition to engage your Government’s interest in the problems of our country.

I must say that at first we as Kenyans, hesitated contacting you because we were not sure of what practical help we could seek or indeed you could offer. However, the majority of Kenyans in Diaspora firmly believe that your Government could make a very worthwhile practical contribution to resolving the real human difficulties that currently exist.

As a matter of fact there has been a long history between our two countries and although Kenya is a sovereign state, its constitution and the machinery of Government owes its very existence to the legacy of former British Rule.

Why British Government Should Be Involved

Kenyans in Diaspora feel that the British Government should become involved by taking a position over this matter.

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Firstly, the British ex-pat community numbers about 100,000 and there are significant British interests in the country which help Britain’s trade position and influence in Africa. The level of civil unrest and the potential for civil war would not only have a damaging effect on the Kenyan economy and indirectly on Britain, but could destabilize that part of the region altogether.

Secondly, Kenya as a former British colony retains considerable respect for Britain and its institutions and traditions. Indeed we have little doubt that the right message from your Government would have a profound influence on the actions of people in Kenya and that would assist in helping stabilize the situation and to close down the current conflicts.

Thirdly, as a democratic country and one that espouses the rule of law and more latterly human rights, it would be in line with Britain’s view in respect of such matters to uphold these principles for the good of all.

As a group, we believe that until such time as there has been a proper investigation into the outcome of the election results by the Kenyan Judiciary, those results should be upheld and the incumbent Government recognised until such time as the Kenyan Courts determine otherwise. It would be particularly helpful if your Government agreed to support the rule of law by recognising the existing Government subject to efforts to establish the veracity of the election result, but maintaining that violence, rape and other violations should stop altogether.

More importantly the opposition who are inciting civilians and sponsoring mayhem will not feel empowered to continue to do so if the Government has British support.

TRUE STORY

We all agree that the social and political events in Kenya do require sensitive management and stakeholders, Governments and Organizations interested in Kenya need to seek to obtain information from credible organizations on what really happened, root causes of violence and conclude on what can be done to avoid/stop potential disruptions.

MEDIA

Sadly recent media reports have given a rather muddled view of the reasons for the current unrest which has been unhelpful. Clearly the media was compromised by the opposition party.

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A number of misleading statements have been made by various interested parties and other stakeholders and we would like to set the record straight. The media in their reporting have created a conflict for political reasons to empower the opposition with the support of have-nots in Kenyan society as against the haves, evidenced by the fact that the crowd we all saw in the streets was not representative of the 30 million odd Kenyans living and working in Kenya. This has made the world to think of Kenyans as a category rather than individuals even though people are pretty similar no matter what country they come from.

It is however very clear that all over the world in elections, allegations of foul play by losers is bound to arise especially in hotly contested elections, but that in itself does not constitute the opposition taking matters into their own hands especially when there are constitutional avenues of addressing such grievances. Even if they suspect that the courts could sacrifice impartiality at the alter of partisan political interests, courts must be given a benefit of a doubt and where possible stakeholders can ensure that the courts are fair.

This is where you come in, we want to invite you to open your eyes to Kenyan ethnicity history and culture and understand how these ethnic killings came about, after which, we urge you to offer a different approach to solving the ongoing issues, and also to support Kenya in building a positive image..

It has been established beyond words that the current dispute in Kenya was not over elections, the dispute was over land, wealth and power dating from when Kenya got independence, hence the killings, otherwise people could not just kill their neighbours because of how they voted.

KENYAN HISTORY

Luhyas occupy Western Province and are mainly farmers and office workers.

Kalenjins & Maasais occupy Rift Valley and are good at keeping cows, goats and sports.

Kikuyus dominated the business world; commerce/trade and usually work hard and as a team.

Luos occupy the Lake Region. Their main activities are fishing and office working.

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Naturally Kikuyus are wealthy by all standards because of working hard. When Kenya got independence from the British, many Kikuyus bought land from the British and settled in Rift Valley and elsewhere.

The Kenyan constitution gave that every Kenyan was free to buy and own land and property in any part of the country legally. With that in mind Kenyans migrated freely to wherever they could buy land, settle and make homes.

ELECTIONS

When President Kibaki won the elections in 2003, the Kenyan economy was on its knees, crime was unbelievable. He quickly changed things around and soon the economy was booming. There was no crime on the streets. There was free primary education, tourism was booming so was farming. President Kibaki is a doer!

He brought the Kenyans together. The opposition knew of his track record they had to find something entertaining to voters. They came up with Majimboism.

ODM (Opposition) knew that elections would be a close contest and that President Kibaki would beat them hands down, hence the strategy. They planned to heighten anti-kikuyu sentiments especially in Rift Valley and planned to say that votes were rigged if Kibaki won. Evidenced by their meeting notes (see attached). ODM (Opposition) made unrealistic promises of changes which have given birth to violence.

MAJIMBO

Majimbo meant that Kikuyus had to return to their ancestral land in Central Province regardless. They had to leave behind their life long savings, loved ones, property and wealth. This excited the majority of communities who were jealous of Kikuyu dominance. It was music to their ears very soon there were leaflets even before the elections warning Kikuyus to leave or face the music.

They also paid the media who openly campaigned for the opposition and have continued to do so e.g. standard newspapers and KTN, evidenced by their own notes of September notes attached. Please also see how much money the media was paid.

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A few days to the polling date, members of the Kikuyu community in the Rift Valley Province and in Nyanza were being warned to prepare to leave for their ancestral land as soon as the opposition took over power. In Eldoret, Kisii, Kisumu and Busia the Kikuyus were being openly harassed and intimidated, ethnic cleansing began way ahead of the 27th December poll.

RIFT VALLEY

The reason why the Rift Valley has become the epicentre of the conflict is rooted in history.

Once a homeland of the Kalenjin and Maasai, much of it was seized early last century by the British, who turned it into a paradise of farms and mansions.

Instead of being returned to those tribes on independence, the farmland was sold to anybody who had money especially the Kikuyu;s (Kibaki’s tribe) Although the constitution granted Kenyans of any tribe the right to live anywhere in the country, the spread by Kikuyus across the Rift Valley triggered bitterness, jealously and grievances.

The opposition ODM campaigned along this lines telling Kalenjin and Maasai voters that, if they voted in the opposition ODM they would ensure that the Kikuyus would be thrown out of Rift Valley, Western, Mombasa and their land and property would be distributed freely to the other tribes. The opposition especially William Ruto (ODM MP) made hate speeches throughout the campaign so did the opposition hence why people believe that violence was pre-planned and was going to happen regardless of results of elections.

Despite knowing clearly that the large farms of former British settlers were sold in the open market and it is fair to say that Kikuyus benefited because they were commercially aware and were able to afford them they still capitalised on them.

William Ruto one of Odinga’s top aides became the greatest warlord in the Rift Valley. He poisoned Kalenjins against Kikuyus. There were leaflets all over warning Kikuyus before elections to expect trouble, hate speeches were broadcasted live on the local.

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Kalenjin Radio stations, media houses, Mulembe FM and it was said that young Kalenjins and Luhyas youths were being indoctrinated against the Kikuyu while undergoing circumcision in December as a rite of passage while being given instructions of what to do.

These youths were told Rift Valley and Western Provinces were there and no one should be left there. No Kikuyus or Kambas. They were told to kill and destroy property of foreigners. This was powerful that it affected even the most educated people.

It is extremely disturbing that the opposition sanctioned protests and still are. Massive destruction of life and property of individuals from particular communities (Kikuyu), President Kibakis tribe. This style and actions were pre-meditated, they were pre-planned. The mobilization of ethnic hatred, the victimization of certain individuals (the Kikuyu) for voting in a certain manner and the campaign for economic sabotage of businesses owned by people from a certain tribe or ethnic group which is Kikuyu is genocide.

Why did the ODM organise mass burials for persons from certain ethnic groups and fail to do so for others? Such biased and suspect actions leave no doubt in ones mind as to the agenda the opposition was and is still pursuing.

Every Kenyans has a right to life, to live and to own property anywhere in Kenya as long as purchased through proper channels. Every Kenyan has a right to vote and to be voted into office it is absurd for people to be forced to vote in a manner they are against. Undoubtedly there was resentment building up over years from less successful elements of Kenyan society. Nevertheless, successive Government s have remained firm that those acquiring land lawfully are to be entitled to enjoy the fruits of their labour and be able to live under the rule of law as to the ownership of their land and property. Unfortunately the opposition exploited that and offered to give this land back to Luos, Kalenjins and Maasais; a recipe you will agree for conflict.

ELECTIONS

The opposition having no funds for campaign made a lot of promises to individuals and company’s who paid out heavily for the campaigns. Some companys were promised tenders, others businesses e.g. arms deals and individuals were promised jobs.

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They then used the money to bribe returning officers and polling clerks each returning officer in ODM friendly zone was given Kshs 100,000 each, Deputy Kshs 50,000 each and Kshs 10,000 for each clerk to favour the opposition.

The opposition were so organised in their rigging that it almost went unnoticed. The vast majority of voters were elderly and needed help, whenever they asked for help, they were told that if they did not want to vote in the opposition they only had to put an X on all opposition candidates by crossing them out, little did they know that by so doing they were actually electing the candidates they did not wish to elect.

Other people who did not know how to read or write were simply told that “Kibaki” and Kalonzo (The Government) had stepped down for the opposition because Kibaki was too ill to lead and Kalonzo had agreed to be a Prime Minister and so they were to vote the opposition only. That explains why the opposition had the majority of MPS in parliament. We therefore must appreciate the fact that the elections were hotly contested and the difference was some hundred thousand votes only. All in all, Kibaki was rightfully elected as in elections there must be winners and losers infact in his final campaign at Uhuru Park the opposition leader (Raila Odinga) made it very clear that he would not accept election results if his party lost. There was therefore only one choice for the opposition and that was victory. Anything else was unacceptable. There was only one option if they lost “violence”.

The Kikuyus have taken the beating almost passively. Kenyans in Diaspora watched helplessly on television as their houses, businesses, homes went up in flames, we have the majority of people here today affected.

It is also worthy noting that the Kenyan police is divided along the tribal lines in matters that have led to this state of affairs. They therefore just stand by and watch as mobs mess with helpless people.

It must worry all persons of goodwill that should matters get worse and the military get sucked in, the same division will define itself. This would be the final death nail to this once most promising African country. If we could sink into interline warfare that could go on for several decades.

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UK and indeed the international community should therefore seek to be part of the search to a just and speedy resolution to this conflict by endorsing Kibaki as President elect.

Britain should take a lead by telling the world that.

Kenya like other countries is constitutionally democratic country governed by the rule of law. Kenya has got to apply the law in order to govern the country as well as resolve social and political conflicts and that should not be frustrated by any one.

Following the December 2007 elections, the President Hon Mwai Kibaki was dully declared the winner and constitutionally sworn into office under the constitution. The President has full mandate to conduct all the affairs of the state until the end of his 5 year term. This can only be changed or terminated by an order of the High Court after a successful petition against his election or indeed in any of the other circumstances provided for within the law.

Under the same constitution of Kenya there are clear processes and channels on how elections should be conducted and how grievances arising from the conduct of an election should be arbitrated and better still the roles of various institutions in the electoral process are clearly laid . No one is to resort to demonstrations instead of challenging results using the channels provided.

We petition the Prime Minister to put pressure on the opposition to stop inciting ethnic violence and to stop arming, training and giving support to those who are causing violence.

To notify the opposition that should the war continue their leaders will be dealt with according to the Kenyan laws.

We petition the Prime Minister to support the Government of Kenya financially to help those who are displaced.

We urge the Prime Minister to share thoughts with the United Nations, United States of America, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other political and economic groups to provide economic assistance to Kenya thereby supporting the country to deal with the current situation and start the healing process.

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We urge the Prime Minister to accompany a few members of the Kenyan community to visit the affected areas and talk to victims to give them confidence and hope and to show UK’s concern and to also show those involved that we can no longer tolerate disintegrating communities we are sure this will end violence.

In pursuance of our cause, a petition has been prepared and I would hope that you would feel able and for that matter your colleagues too, to take note of the signatories to it. We are all genuine people wanting a civilized resolution to this very human problem and to bring an immediate end to the bloodshed and violence which is marring our beautiful country.

We thank you for your patience and for finding time to read this petition. We hope that our requests will meet your kind consideration.

Yours faithfully,

Mabel Muruli Mark

ON BEHALF OF THE KENYA COMMUNITY IN THE UK

Compiled by the Organising Committee and final draft by Mrs. Mabel Muruli Mark

(SEVERAL OTHER MEMORANDUM AND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE WAS HANDED OVER).

http://www.misterseed.com/NEWYEAR/MEMO1.htm

Sent by Kiambu.