Milking the Rhino Trailer

 

A ferocious kill on the Serengeti… dire warnings about endangered species… These clichés of nature documentaries ignore a key feature of the landscape: villagers just off-camera, who navigate the dangers and costs of living with wildlife on a daily basis. When seen at all, rural Africans are often depicted as the problem — they poach animals and encroach on habitat, they spoil our myth of wild Africa.

Milking the Rhino tells a more nuanced tale of human-wildlife coexistence in post-colonial Africa. The Maasai tribe of Kenya and Namibia’s Himba — two of Earth’s oldest cattle cultures — are in the midst of upheaval. Emerging from a century of “white man conservation,” which turned their lands into game reserves and fueled resentment towards wildlife, Himba and Maasai communities are now vying for a piece of the wildlife-tourism pie.

Community-based conservation, which tries to balance the needs of wildlife and people, has been touted by environmentalists as “win-win.” The reality is more complex. “We never used to benefit from these animals,” a Maasai host of a community eco-lodge explains. “Now we milk them like cattle!” His neighbor disagrees: “A rhino means nothing to me! I can’t kill it for meat like a cow.” And when drought decimates the grass shared by livestock and wildlife, the community’s commitment to conservation is sorely tested.

Charting the collision of ancient ways with Western expectations, Milking the Rhino tells intimate, hopeful and heartbreaking stories of people facing deep cultural change.

Visit the official website: http://www.milkingtherhino.org

Visit the film’s official website, http://www.milkingtherhino.org

http://intercontinentalcry.org/milking-the-rhino-conservation-in-post-colonial-africa/

We’re not benefiting from the Wildlife conservation.

The tittle should actually read something like this:
Unfair distribution of natural resources, The case of Wildlife Conservation in Laikipia County
Unfair distribution of natural resources in laikipia county is generating a negative attitude towards wildlife conservation especially following the Eland land saga. ……

The Maasai/Samburu and other pastoral communities DO NOT(EQUALLY) benefit from natural resources in their midst.
Anglo Maasai Treaties have violated our rights to lands and natural resources thus minimizing our chances of surviving any kind of change.
Keeping our normal lifestyle is no longer an alternative since we do not own any land neither do we have resources to buy any while our population is expected to rise. The lands were sequestered to British ex servicemen and mobility.
There was no compensation for, neither was there restitution after independence.
Those acts violated the Indigenous Maasai rights to natural resources like grazing spaces for their livestock.
We are requesting the president to recognize our plight particularly regarding the Eland case which is still in court. The President of Kenya should not allow the Maasai/Samburu land in Laikipia to be donated to, sold, or converted to a National park before the court case is settled.
The history of the said land does not begin from the forceful and brutal eviction of the people who occupied it.To better understand the case, we need to gather facts from the country’s 100 years history.

Although the people from Eland land ware kicked out without a proper compensation or re-allocation in place,the community managed to open a case in court asking for the land sale or donation from AWF to the KWS to be stopped til the case in court is settled.
The government of Kenya’s main purpose by constitution is to protect the Kenyan people against internal and external enemies at all times.
All the Maa/Samburu people who occupied the Eland land may not be able to write this open letter or join the ongoing social network discussions to seek a honorable re-dress. Therefore, as a community Para-legal Worker, I have taken the mandatory obligation to initiate a dialogue. Injustice committed against one of us is injustice against all of us.
The Maa people who were made squatters have been among the most significant actors in protecting the wildlife in their neighborhood. These people have not yet seen the financial benefit of wildlife conservancies because the solid foreign income the country generates from tourism is yet to trickle down to the main protectors of this national treasure we’ll inherited. Since independence, it has been the government and the private settler and other native entities who have continued to enjoy the conservation revenues.
Aside with the economical injustice against the Maa indigenous and protectors of the wildlife, the nominal effect of the eviction is that the now made squatters shall have to move themselves to some place.
And where will that “place” be?
My personal guess is as good as your, may be Mukogodo colonial reserve of 1934 will be the new home for the forcefully evicted Samburu people.
As I write this, the systematically marginalized Mukogodo reserve residents are asking the president to give (us) land. This community have a viable land case that should be addressed and especially within the context of our homegrown constitution.
We have a lot of faith for our new constitution that it will have a lasting political solution for this borne of contention.
Unequal allocation of land before and after the colonial era is the bases of all injustices in Kenya. Land is the basis for our survival as a people, an inextricably linkage to self determination.
We believe that it is the root cause of tragic occurrences as the 2007 Post election violence that left more than 1.500 people dead and more than 600.000 people displaced.
Poor management and crime against the people of Kenya with impunity has fostered a culture of the strong feeding on the poor and ignorant. The ignorance of the masses, the negligence of the elected leaders and the systematic suppression of our unitary government is reflected on the plight of many Kenyans and in particular, the even more marginalized indigenous Maa/Samburu ethnic groups.
The Maa people have not been successful in pursuing land legal cases ever since their territorial lands were robbed from them before and after the colonial era.

The Maa/Samburu people find themselves on the loosing side because of notoriously poor leadership and, yes, ignorance of the masses and the silence of the good men and women out there.
Land case is a good example for serving justice but justice is not served in our formal legal systems. You need to be aware of the formal law and wealthy enough to “buy” justice. If you don’t have enough money to “buy” yourself a good lawyer, you’ll most likely loose.
Suppose the Samburu people of Laikipia looses the court case? Where shall all the forcefully evicted people go?
Laikipia is completely patched with animal sanctuaries and parks. The only human accepted areas are townships and Mukogodo colonial reserve.
If you ask anybody, those Samburu who’re now squatters, kept cows therefore they’ll not re-allocate to townships. They’ll most likely end up in Mukogodo reserve.
However,the land on which Mukogodo people occupy is barren. It can not take more people neither can it take any wild or domestic animals. It is dead.
That land can only be used for modern hybrid farming. That is if the government, community or other wealthy entities introduce green houses irrigation schemes and maybe zero grazing as a change of lifestyle among the Laikipia Maasai.
Given a good and just hearing, we might turn a tragic systemic injustice into an orchestrated harmony of peace and tranquility.
But still, Mukogodo has limited chances of supporting our community. It has become over grazed by both goats,sheep, donkeys and cows. The Eland eviction might end up creating resource based violence between the The Maa/Samburu in Laikipia in the very near future. Worse though, the Samburu cows from Eland will not survive the dry weather in Mukogodo.
Maasai domestic animals who’ve adapted to the harsh conditions in arid and semi arid weather still die during long droughts and famines due to various reasons. There is no proper grazing management due to lack of land.
The Maasai in Mukogodo can not follow their old seasonal migratory roots because they’re enclosed in small patch of dead land between huge White settler ranches. Moreover, poor animal marketing leads to the death of many animals who would otherwise be sold before the onset of the dry season.
The non existence of a meet industry in the neighborhood does not help the Mukogodo situation either. The prices are controlled by buyers.
The desperate seller will eventually have to submit to the buyer’s terms.

The pastoralist feels they are smoothly robbed in which ever business they venture into.
What do you do with your cows if you have no one to sell them to?
We produce a lot of raw material but we can not depend on them for a living.
For us, it’s like giving away a heifer for a peace of moccasin shoe for a school child.
I know of many resilient families who’re traumatized by the death of their animals but they keep on repeating the same process. Personally, I know this is near to insanity because we can not continue repeating the same traumatizing process and expect to get different results. Mukogodo people must embrace change or they die off like the big animals who may have been to big to change. That is the height of my personal self criticism.
But how then can we move on when we have limited resources.?
One idea could be:
Masses of unused land must be acquired by the government and be relocated to the needy people.
Then there after: Programs to develop acquired land to be formulated and implemented for the common good.
People must be activated to be more productive. How can we do that in Mukogodo?
Our people are living on handouts and relief food. It is a shame to our government when Maasai culture is as valuable to the tourist department as any other resource. Given the acquired productive land, the Laikipia population shall be re-organized in schemes for irrigation and eco-tourism programs under the watchful eye of our unitary and regional governments.
Animal and human Rights::We belief in the notion that all human beings are created equal. We all have the right to quality living. Animals too, have the right to be protected by us and respected as very reliable allies in our existence. Therefore, the acquisition of land must be done under stewardship of the constitution placing significance on balance sharing of our common natural inheritance.
Regarding the Maasai culture and the need for diversity: Our culture is vital but it is dying out at an alarming rate. It is almost only practiced for tourist entertainment. Maasai people must be given equal opportunities to integrate their culture with that of the modern world. This is in line with the right to multiculturalism and bio-diversity in both Animal and human kingdom. We confirm this to be an essential pillar for our liberties ,respect and equal acknowledgement between human and animal kingdoms.We therefore affirm that we can not conserve one life at the expense of another. The locally available resources are enough for all of us, we managed properly.
Recommendation
The Anglo-maasai treaties that led to the lost of land and natural resources such as The white highlands violates our social-cultural, economic and political rights. The Constitution of Kenya must find a long lasting political solution for such land sharing injustices in laikipia county. It’s very significant that the government refrain itself from perpetrating such injustices by not allowing itself to be manipulated like in the case of Eland farm. The government should denounce the land sale or donation by AWF to KWS or any other related purchase until the court case is settled. The Government should, even after the court case is settled, supervise a long lasting political solution for the land crises in Laikipia and else where. This step is to prevent future occurrences of such tragic violence like the 2007 post election violence.
2. More significantly, the government must with immediate effect compensate, and settle the forcefully evicted Samburu population. Failure to this, will lead to resource based violence wherever the Samburu Eland population will seek refuge.

3. Community owned fair-trade eco-tourism.
The idea of moving people for the sake of animals is perilous to the main idea of conservancy. Conventional knowledge dictates that if the community is involved in wildlife conservation and they get to utilize the generated wealth, the result will be obvious. The moment the population see their lives changing to the better due to the wealth generated by proper management of their wildlife, the more they’ll want to be involved.
A positive attitude will be projected when the community feels that they have full control of ownership, access and utilization of the solid foreign currency generated from the conservancy.

4. So far, the Maasai feels entirely excluded in terms of access, control, ownership or utilization of any conservancy Revenue from tourism and other natural resources from Maasailand. The revenue must be re-invested to improving the lives of Maasai people and those other communities living within the region.

The region must benefit from resources within their jurisdiction. Tricky point: The government should consider to fully ratify and implement the international convention that observe the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities. The UN draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.
Kenya should not reserve itself on the ILO convention 169(108) regarding the rights of indigenous peoples.
In case of impossibilities to return lost land to Maasai, then restitution and compensation should be mandatory.

5. Similarly, private companies that are operating in Laikipia County must create employment opportunities to locals instead of importing workers When 99.9 percent of the Laikipia youth are jobless.

The game park and privately own huge lands surrounding Mukogodo shall contribute to our well-being.

6. Dormant land must be allocated to landless combating appraisal schemes like community irrigation and green house farming programs.Land acquired through criminal means must be returned to the people of Kenya.Infrastructure development.

7. Roads and social services establishment. Pri-schools, polytechnic, colleges and heath facilities should be considered a priority for a prior maintenance of our people while the local government establishes itself in the new county head quarters.

8. Training, health and veterinary personnel in pastoral areas should also be prioritized . People should feel they run their own-community appraisal issues. The main issue is to attain a natural co-existence between the Human and The Wildlife Kingdoms with both parties gaining from the peaceful nature of the other.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

November E-news: Stop Killing & Starvation of Samburu People in Kenya

 

Promoting the rights, voices, and visions of the world’s Indigenous Peoples

Action:  Send emails to Secretary-General of the Commonwealth before Nov. 26, 2009
See model letter
Kenya has had a deplorable record of violating the rights of its Indigenous citizens, both during colonization and after. Beginning in February of this year, the Kenyan government has carried out massive and well-organized attacks on Samburu villages by combined police and military forces and the use of government-funded mercenaries from Somalia. The government used helicopters, bombs, apparent chemical weapons, and ground forces on unarmed villagers, and they confiscated the people’s only food source, their cattle, prompting a famine that has killed hundreds more people. The mercenaries hired by the government have kidnapped and murdered children, beheaded sleeping adults, and seized even more cattle. Hundreds of Samburu women who live near police encampments have been raped. This ongoing violence and intimidation appears to be motivated by government oil leases recently awarded to Chinese companies to drill on Samburu land in violation of their rights.
Environmental concerns compound this humanitarian disaster. The Samburu pastoralists manage several wildlife conservancies in collaboration with environmental organizations, combining conservation with small-scale eco-tourism. Government forces brutally shut down these conservancies in February and confiscated all their anti-poaching equipment. Since then, over 50 elephants have been killed in the region, and the Samburu have been powerless to stop the poaching. Chinese companies that are building a road through Samburu territory may be associated with the poaching. 
Read background information on the situation.

What You Can Do:
The Commonwealth nations, including Kenya, will meet in Trinidad-Tobago November 27-29. The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth has invited citizens to send him their comments and concerns in advance of the meeting.
Please send a message today, urging the Commonwealth to demand an immediate end to the campaign of terror being waged against the Samburu people, and an independent investigation and prosecution for these atrocities.
Send your message to:
Mr. Kamalesh Sharma
Commonwealth Secretary-General
asksharma@commonwealth.int
and info@commonwealth.int
See model letter
NOTE:  We are currently receiving reports of further air and land attacks on the Samburu by hundreds of Kenyan police troops during the week of November 16.
Please keep visiting http://www.culturalsurvival.org for updates and for more actions you can take

Open Letter to Mr. Secretary-General, Commonwealth

Dear Mr. Kamalesh Sharma

Commonwealth Secretary-General
asksharma@commonwealth.int
and info@commonwealth.int

Kamlesh Shaman. Commonwealth Secretary General

Please bring to the immediate attention of the Commonwealth ministers an ongoing humanitarian and human rights crisis in Kenya.

The Samburu Indigenous People are being systematically killed, terrorized and deprived of their livelihood in an apparent effort to remove them from their lands so that Chinese companies can conduct oil explorations there.

I urge you to undertake immediate investigation of alleged acts of mass murder, torture, terror and theft of Samburu cattle (their primary food source) by Kenyan military and police forces and by mercenaries in their employ.

These atrocities have been reported to Kenyan government authorities to no avail. The international community, and particularly the Commonwealth nations, must act to prevent genocide of the Samburu people.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this issue of grave concern.

Sincerely,

Saidimu Ole Ngais

http://diasporakenyan.se

dk@diasporakenyan.se

Stockholm, Sweden, November 20^th 2009.

F.G.M. Maasai must own process of abolishment.

It’s not our backbone, cut it off!

Marafiki, I thought I should blog on my facebook response to a Solace, a community trainer of trainers based in Luoland.

I wanted to pass my regards to her and share my ideas on how to go about the problem of FGM in our community. I like the idea that the community should own the strategies to eliminating the vise as much as they own other development projects in their areas, if that is the case.

The Maa community is conservative and so we must be very careful but with zero tolerance to any inhuman treatment of children, including cultural or traditional practices which were formerly regarded as a necessary rite.

Solace and I are in agreement that before we can apply these proven strategies to generally wipe out FGM, we should firstly move to save the girl from the razor. They are cutting them this December and so you are already called to duty. Spy on your family and stop the cutting of your sister. You know how this is difficult, to fight against your roots….

If there is any refuge home, it is advisable to take away the threatened girl and thereafter, communicate with the concerned entities. Initiate a dialogue and tell the family that it is all for the good of their family, and start talking about Michelle Obama, Malia and Sacha, tell them about Ole Kaparo and Ole Ntimama are not cutting their daughters and they have not gone mad…. I suppose all those uncut girls are al self reliant, well educated, and are economically

As Solace and I believes, the process can be risky but we are left with no option. I said before, it is not just the cut that is the problem, it is all that comes after the cut that is harmful, not just to the girl, but to the entire Nation of Kenya. Maasai society must have well educated and independent women to work for Kenya or the Maa society won’t be complete.

On the facebook chat box, I had written that “The elders will not be reading this unless someone who is anti-people tells them. I take the risks and let me be culturally punished for that.

Someone must take the heat.” I am sure there are many elderly members of our society who are against FGM too and because they have seen how devastating it is for our women.

They admit that it was a mistake and we want to take it back. If you are that kind of elder, we ask you to help us in convincing those who are for FGM to drop it and let our sisters have access to their bodies. The good thing is that, we the men, the ones who are supposed to marry these women, are totally against FGM. We want our women the way God created them! Don’t you? I doJ.

In an argument with myself, I try to answer the questions, why do we cut our girls. Solace also asked this question and she knew that we must first understand the reason behind the cut, if we will be able to safely abolish it once and for all. They cut my grandmother so that she would stay away from foreign men while my grandfather was roaming around with his lifeline, the cow! He would move with rains until the circle is complete. The circle repeated itself annually, and so did FGM. You won’t have any other ingenious and powerful tool to control women’s sexuality. But we are not moving any more. Maa is a changing people!

Today, we have neither land, nor the lust to move around. We have neither cows nor the youth to take care of them because our children are crying for formal education and you cannot combine them both. Or can you? Can you hold the spear and the pen both sustainably and dynamically compete with this aggressive global community to survive?

In the times of my grandparents, they sent the brightest to take care of the cows and those who were perceived to be poorly gifted, or from the not favored house, to be assimilated by the “White culture” and his white education which was believed to be harmful to our survival.

That is why we migrated away from the influence of the “evil culture” which was out to dissolve our dignity, integrity and sense of common belonging.

Fighting FGM is like fighting your own back, like wishing to cut off your thumb figure, those who can live without their thumbs can go ahead and cut it off… Others think that we cannot cut off our backbone; we would not stand to be ourselves no more. Problem is, FGM was never authentically any backbone for our people’s survival!

It was a tricky, indeed smart control strategy, a powerful means to cub the power of the woman! My grandfather and those of his age group must have been scared of the women especially when they knew the mythology of Wangu Wa Makeri! My mother was cut because that is what they have always done!

My sisters, all of them apart from the last one, whom I protect, were cut, so that I can get school fees because boys have more value than girls. They were cut because only then, the Ngais family is seen as a respectful and well ordered authentic Maa family.

Question today is, Are Maasai men scared of their women? Why do they thing that their women’s power is in their private part?

Since we are not migrating anymore and we are with our women all the time unlike our grandparents, do Maa men think that this retrogressive cultural practice is still necessary? Why?

And why not? Since FGM becomes precedence to women oppression, we have no alternative, than to ensure that all Maa Males and Females stand up and defend their family members from this barbarism.

If you can save your little sister, then you can also be strong enough to defend the location, division and region, honestly, you will indeed be a patriotic citizen of Kenya with the entire mandate to defend our MOTHER COUNTRY!

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

The girl who silenced the world for 5 minutes

PS: Manasseh Mankuleiyo: I Prayed 4 You Merry Christmas

Yes I prayed for you for your family and for your country

Luke 2:14   (Luke 2)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Dear family and friends

Avoid Chrismas, Do Christmas

There are two spirits that I need to talk about

A) The spirit of Chris mass….As  a boy this is what I thought christmas was called (Chrismas) whoever this guy Chris was created selfishness,\becuase  Chrismas is a time of getting, getting, getting, me, me. It is a time you worry about what to buy for whom, worry if they will love or hate it, a time to worry about finances. A time to shop until you drop, eat until you drop, drink until you drop.

Day after chismas leaves you feeling exhausted, worried, angry, tired, disappointed and hateful

B) The spirit of Christ mas…..A time to Glorify God for the gift of his son and for our salvation, a time of wishing good will and care to all men

Christmas is a time of giving not getting, giving not only material things but giving hope to the hopeless and above all pointing people to the baby at the manger who is the  hope of the world

I don’t know why but it makes me feel good to give, giving leaves me feeling warm all over, loving all over and lightens my daily burdens, putting a smile on someones Else’s face makes my face and heart smile

Folks Lets Have Christ Mas

MERRY CHRISTMAS

*COME LET US GO CELEBRATE!!*

Announcement from Bishop Manasseh.
Dear family and friends,
This is an invitation for those within or know someone who is within close
proximity of Wichita Kansas
MY wife and I are going, I will be guest speaker for the dates mentioned
(Please check Flyer Bellow)
ALL ARE WELCOME {ALL} and if you cant make it please pray for us
Hosted by; Breakthrough Community Church, Pastor Joseph and Lynne Sakuda
phone 316 518 37722 / 519 99984
We are going to bid the old year farewell and welcome the NEW YEAR with a
heavenly blast, couples; please DO NOT miss the Thursday 16th couple meeting
Blessings
Bwana Asifiwe Bishop na Mrs. Njango,

We pray that you are well and blessed of the Lord, we are looking
forward to your visit:)  Please see below the flyer for the upcoming
meeting

Karibuni katika Jina la Yesu!

Lynne

Surrender yourself to God. Wish for nothing but one thing: that his
will be done, that his kingdom come, and that his nature be revealed.
Then all will be well by Eberhard Arnold

OUR FUTURE CANNOT BE POSTPONED – WHY THE MAASAI YOUTH MUST PARTICIPATE IN REFORMS

I am happy to join with you today in these open plains of Oloyiankalani, Kajiado District of the Great Rift Valley, in Kenya to demonstrate unto God and people, and to ignite an inspiration within ourselves that education is the master key for freedom; freedom from ignorance, poverty, chaos, impoverishment, and freedom from unrepresentative and imposed leadership. You can rise up now and walk into the bank with these words that; ‘If education is good for the Luo it’s good for the Kamba, if it’s good for the Kalenjin it’s good for the Pokomo, if it’s good for the Kikuyu it’s good for the Maasai and thus if it’s good for ANY it is good for ALL’.

But today I am here to tell you why you young people must participate in civic and reform processes. This is because your future cannot be postponed anymore. Forget about the excuses they give you and especially the fallacy that “you are tomorrow’s leaders’’ for you cannot allow your future to be postponed every day. Those who think the youth should always live in subservience, on an endless waiting end, and reserved as gun-powder for the next episode of electoral violence shall suffer a rude shock if we rise up as the youth and reject the business as usual strategy. Reforms are projected into the future. You are the greatest stakeholders of that future. Reforms seek to enforce equitable sharing of resources that include information, educational opportunities, decision-making, public appointments, infrastructure and development. Reforms give you the power to force change. It gives power to regain your rightful position as a citizen of this country. Reforms empower you to participate in the determination of your own destiny.

But since agents of the status quo and oppression know information is power, they want to ensure you don’t get it. You must not allow to be auctioned on the laps of ignorance and hateful politicians who want to reduce you to mere spectators and fence-sitters in that which appertains to your very lives. I am here to urge you to keep hope alive and strive to do better for it’s never over until God says it’s over. The Almighty God the Creator of all the universe has fearfully and wonderfully made you and destined you for the top. This is why you must rise as individuals, as groups and teams to grab the price that God has set before you, their posturing notwithstanding.

For who is he that says and it comes to pass if the Lord commanded it not? All humans’ are mortal but God is mighty. Can a nation be born in a day? Yes it can. If this community and nation can redirect their efforts to support and empower our young people a nation shall be born in a day. But since this bad leadership is our nation’s biggest con we will wait forever to get our rightful position as the youth of Kajiado and of Kenya. Thus we must push and refuse to go under. For as soon as Zion travailed she brought forth her children. We must push to give birth to a new Nation, push for a new leadership, push for a new community, push for a new order, push for a new dispensation of a young generation who God shall inspire, whose service is to their people, whose honor is in their achievement and who shall kick out a leadership that worship their stomach and whose god is their belly.

Whereas this oppressive non-reformist leadership belong to a dying order, you young people are the representatives of a nation reborn. Whereas they believe in money wickedly acquired, you believe in the dignity of your life and the beauty of freedom. Whereas they are fallen and lost all hope you are a risen generation keeping hope alive and striving to do better. My friends, participate in reforms! May this spirit and these virtues be restored in the life of the young people of Kajiado and of Kenya to serve as an inspiration for my two sons, Mayiana and Mandela, their generation and future generations of the Maasai people. God bless this generation.

In closing I say, rise up my brothers and sisters, pursue your education like hungry men, follow hard wherever it may be found, grab it and let it stick into your life for it will provide a defense against anyone who wants to extend the period and the suffering of the young people of Kajiado. Tell them straight face that your future and that of this community cannot be postponed. May God bless this generation.

PHILLIP S. WUANTAI

CONVENOR/ASSOCIATION OF MAA ACADEMICS

(This speech was delivered by Phillip S. Wuantai, Convenor, Association of Maa Academics on Saturday 19th December, 2009 at Oloyiankalani Day Mixed Secondary School before a congregation of over three hundred youth during the Education-Open-Day organised in partnership with Esiloyia Welfare and Development Initiative (EWADI), OLmaa Pastoralist and Development Program(OLPADEP), and all local churches from Keekonyokie South location in Kajiado)

No Wood's thicker enough to hide dangerous Wolves! Happy New year 2010!

Happy New year gentle people out there. I have been so happy due to so many good friends around me. However, a few good friends shown at the end of the year, that they weren’t indeed any good buddies for me or anything I cherish.

I want to rejoice for the good moments we enjoyed and if we must continue being no friends, we sincerely have no option than to enjoy our freedoms including that of forgiveness.

The negative energy we have packed in us, can be invest not to destroy each other, but instead, in community building programs. But you should still be warned, not every community builder is genuine. This is one lesson I have just been refreshed on. Some faces like those of well known “straight and clean” golfers who unfortunately got their clean images soiled due to their dubious behaviors, reminds us that no wood is thick enough to hide all Tigers all the time. Certainly not now when the chain-saw effect is devastating the entire globe.

Despite all high tech measures of screening through any suspicious woods which maybe harboring dangerous wolves, some wolves still thing that they are so smart, that they can hide behind a flock of innocent sheep only to start eating them one after the other until nothing is left. People are intercepting even sensitive mails between prominent scientists and doctors. In 2009, people can login to your computer or mobile phone and scrutinize the music or films you downloaded to see if you stole them or not. Before you are allowed to fly, you you must show the world what you have in your underwear, if that is what it takes to be save. (Talk of Big Brother’s society!)

Our society can only be build genuinely, if we truly identify the hiding wolves among our unsuspecting flock in the woods. The year 2009 goes down the human history as one of its kind, where too many wolves decided to ignore the reality that the globe is deforested and hence they have no more hiding place!

Despite all, we should be aware that it is naturally normal for the hunting wolves to migrate from one unsuspecting flock to another since they live upon the death of another animal. They’ll do this until they are caught red handed.

I have been advised my instinct, to let people be trusted while I should work hard to trust people. It is not surprising when you get cheated by people you least suspect, just because you trust them deeply.

While I prepare to celebrate the departure and arrival of old and new year consecutively, I must say, I have been going around debating with myself why President Obama did not bail out Tiger Woods! In the news today, CNN reported that the number one golfer’s promoters lost 12.000.000.000 billion dollars in two weeks time. Did I have the correct Zero’s for a billion? Clearly, Wood is too gigantic to fail. Besides, he’s too qualified to be let drawn in his infidelity.

Should the world bank BAIL out TIGER from his infidelity like they did to the Notorious AIG and other failed American Capitalist Banks, or should he be closed in like Madorf who made off with investors funds in a scam scheme?

How should we judge, say, the Washington government, or our Kenyan Coalition government who borrows and spend billions of trillions every year at our own expense claiming to be defending our national interests?

They(Governments), are doing the same thing Madorf did, but with impunity.

Should we understand the regimes and demand them to be seriously psychologically taken care of, if we will manage the serious chronic failures resulting from the governance of such a well enlightened leaders we entrust the future of, not only our children but of this globe?

It’s new years Eve tomorrow. With those few questions, toast your glass of champaign for an answerer below.

I wish you all the happiness that you inherit from the bailed out 2009 and the springs of new life, that the majestic 2010 will plant in you.

Happy New Year 2010.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Independent interim electoral commission of Kenya Appoints 10 Directors.

Those of you who have been asking to know more about the appointments and names of all those recruited can follow the operation from the iiec.or.ke
The IIEC informs below that the,
The process of recruiting senior officials was done with the help of an HR firm. IIEC is satisfied that those recruited are qualified, experienced and that their composition reflect the face of Kenya.

Kindly study the names and compare with what you have or what you belief is justice. put the iiec into task to explain the criteria they used. In my opinion, I think the the commission should use the proportional representation criteria and Quota system to balance the appointment between the ethnic groups in our beautiful country. We need Quota system to rectify historical injustices e.g. representation in all sectors and political sphere among all groups including gender categories in Kenya.
What is your take? And please don’t come with the critics that we should not put politicize because that will silence the debate.

1. Mr. James Humphrey Obanda Oswago – Chief Electoral Officer
2. Ms Gladys Boss Shollei – Deputy Chief Electoral Officer
3. Ms Immaculate Njenga Kassait – Director Voter Registration and Electoral Operations
4. Ms Sellestine Kiuluku – Director Human Resources and Administration
5. Mr. Dismas Ong’ondi – Director Information and Communication Technology
6. Mr. Gideon Ochanda – Director Voter Education and Partnerships
7. Ms Decimah Isalano M’Mayi – Director Research and Development
8. Mr. Edwin Kenga Karisa – Director Finance and Procurement
9. Ms. Praxedes C. Tororey – Director Legal and Public Affairs
10. Mr. Abdirahman Bilacha Issak – Director Risk and Compliance
11. Ms Lucy Ndungu – Registrar of Political Parties

List of Successful Candidates – Constituency Election Coordinators

Candidates should note that they will be posted to constituencies other than they one they appear on this list. A list of posting will soon be uploading on this page. In the meantime, candidates should get in touch with their respective Regional Coordinators for their letters of appointment and further instruction.

Download List Here
Make your online application by following this link.

Saving Maasai the girl child from FGM

Parents, teachers and teenage girls held a candlelight vigil in Loitoktok, hoping to light up the darkness of cultural attitudes towards a traditional practice that is both physically and mentally hurting young Maasai girls
Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETYpewWBXqg

Jan 20th: Demonstrate for Lake Turkana and humanity

We would like you to join us at demonstrations on 20th January at Lodwar, Loiyangalani and Nairobi. Wherever you will be, your support will be highly appreciated.

Details on the route will follow and it will only be 1.5 to 2 hrs of your time.

Kindly join in the fight for preservation of the environment and livelihood and Human Rights.

Thank you for your continuous support.
For more information visit;

http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=1144030961&cid=457

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=97569135084

Some information about lake Turkana.

Lake Turkana is 250 kilometres long and 50 kilometres across in its widest part. At midday, temperatures can reach 50ºC, but at night, suddenly, a violent storm can suddenly appear, with lots of rain. It can disappear as quickly as it came. It is said that 10 metres of the water evaporate each year, and it is one of the hottest places in Africa. 10,000 years ago the water level was higher than now, and Lake Turkana was one of the Nile sources, as the Nile crocodiles that live there nowadays prove.

Two million and a half years ago the lake was larger and the area more fertile, with a richer vegetal and animal life. An examination of sediments shows that the area was a floodplain—it was humid. So it wasn’t always the dry, dusty place we see in movies. It was in this scenery where a kind of ape that lived in the forest dared to go into open land, into the savannah, where this ape evolved until it was a human being.

Tina Ramme! Is she a stranger in Samburu?

Insecurity in Samburu East, Fundamental rights of Samburu people and advocacy!

Tina Ramme! Is she a stranger in Samburu?

According to the FB comment on January 11^th 2010, Tina Mparakuoni Ramme, asked Samburu East people of Kenya to cooperate with the police during the the January 20^th disarmament operation to prevent any unnecessary deaths. In her own words to Diasporakenyan, she confirmed to have advised the Lerata and East Samburu to – just passively cooperate perhaps, just do whatever you are told—for now, as you would if armed bandits held a group hostage.

Some facebookers may have missed her point and so I thought I should write something here, to clarify her point further to avoid any misinterpretation.

Tina is not affiliated in anyway to this clarification neither has she endorsed my clarification. This is purely out of my own urge to seek justice in our community.

Tina Ramme, also known as Mparakuoni, was referring to the on going police operations in Eastern Samburu. I belief that she was basing her strategy on the famous Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr and former South African President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela ‘s philosophy of non violence.

The spirits of the above named giants are still powerful today. They continuously teach us how to win over any violence. It is their spirits that we evoke to guide us, as we fight injustice even at the height of fear of intimidation.

It’s significant to know that the Government of Kenya has monopoly over violence and use of violence in Kenya. Citizen should cease from using violence against each other or against any human being. HOWEVER; It does not mean we should ignore the situation where the government forces apply excessive force against unarmed civilians. Like most of us who feel the oppression, Tina has ever since refused to stay passive while killings are taking place in her own village. She has mobilized the community to know their rights and demand them whenever the oppressor tends to intimidate them. It is in record that she wants the community to gather and share as much information as possible about their plight and preserve in case of legal action against the perpetrator.

When asked by Diasporakenyan if she was aware that some people are complaining about her facebook profile updates on Samburu insecurity, Tina answered – yes! some have been harsh critics of me that I am actually inflaming the situation by even posting it’s occurring! But I think it is wrong to sit by passively .

What should we do then, in situations where forces are too powerful and deadly against unarmed civilians? And YES, this is the situation!

What shall we do to protect us from unnecessary force like during disarmament operations?

It does not pay to fight against State police but it is your right to record any injustice with cameras sound recorders, videos and mobile phones to use against them in the court of law.

As Tina Mparakuoni has done already, we must join hands to consolidate funds for viable community IT centers, income generating activities, sustainable resource management systems in the remote area. We need advocacy and human rights training camps through T.O.T.s and T.O.F.s to protect us against the common exploitation by special interest groups. Yes, this is why Tina is doing the video program, just one of many. Tina told Diasporakenyan that she has already given 3 computers to Lerata center and she has 5 more to be supplied immediately.

Information sharing is very essential for any society including the indigenous people. In her own initiative, Tina made available cameras and handy-cam videos for the pastoral society, as a measure to keep records news and happenings for future use and prevent lose of lives now and in the future. Your recording gadget is as powerful as a bullet but only if it is in the hands of a trained user.

Technology changes man! Citizens armed with technological equipments can defend themselves without violence hence report the news to the main stream and less stream media channels the soonest they occur.

It’s significant that the citizens can utilize their fundamental rights like freedom of speech and press. Democracy is based on this two rights without which a country can simply be termed as a non-democratic.

Citizens should be involved in collecting and recording their own history so that we avoid letting other people misrepresent us according to their perception and interests.

This is where I humbly and continuously expect that SAPA plays a major role. My little dream of creating IT solar villages could be realized by SAPA if indeed they are truly involved as they want to be.

But who is SAPA? If you want to know more about SAPA, kindly visit their facebook here. All what I know about SAPA is all what they have on facebook and nothing more, so, I cannot say who they are.

This article was actually about Tina Ramme, Incidentally, some of us have been asking who Tina Ramme is. Well, let me tel what I know about her.

I supposed we should be honest to ourselves and ask ourselves who the people we work with are, and how they are helping to improving the lives of our people. How do they affect our endeavors in community building? Are they really true friends?

Are they building our society or are they insiders who are working for their own selfish gains and maintain the status quo?

Do they have a second agenda? And if so what and who do they work for? This should also include our own boys and girls from our own villages. Just like technology, time also has its tole on people and situations. Time and places can eat up, or grow dreams depending on the dreamer’s condition.

But who is TR Mparakuoni? Tina Ramme of Lolokue in Samburu East, is a woman who has been unfairly categorized as a stranger by some people who, themselves looking no more native to Samburu than Mparakuoni herself. Tina Ramme is an a American biologist professor married to a Samaburu man from Samburu East.

According to profile on zoominfo.com, Ramme works to protect and restore Africa’s lion population, which has decreased by 90 percent over just the last decade, according to recent studies. Based primarily in Kenya but concerned about lions across the continent, the LCF team uses a multi-faceted approach, working to create and sustain grassroots conservation, education and humanitarian programs. Some examples of the group’s recent work include a lion population count, an analysis of every pride and the opening of a small health clinic in Kenya.”

She is a a Lion lady. According to her facebook updates and what she has projected in different conversation I’ve heard with her, the Lion lady wants to make genuine connections with indigenous people.

From another source, when she was asked about her work in Africa, she said that, apart from the lion project, she works to partner with indigenous people. The source states that, “Unlike many of her colleagues, who live on big, colonialist ranches, Ramme stays in tents or mud huts with members of the Samburu tribe in remote Kenya.

For you who did not know Tina, she is not a stranger in Samburu East. She is a member of Lukumae the clan of the white cow!, of Samburu people of the greater Maa indigenous society. Tina is, as we put in our Maa language, Our wife! Wife of the Loiborkuchu, of the ethnic group and of our people in samburu( Mpartut aang, emurataa aang, in Maa, enkitok olaji lang, olo rere lang)

Just like any other Maa mother, wife and daughter, Tina Mparakuoni is a true defender for the cows of Maa.

She has done all that all of us who care about justice been thinking of. She provided relief to her people in Lolokue in Samaburu East when not even the government was doing it.

Together with her Samburu husband and their friends from the US. Tina purchased video handy-cams worth dollar 9000.

She provided to different individuals in the area as tool for advocacy and defense against injustice. In her own initiative, Mparakuoni run a campaign in her home country, to consolidate support for the Samburu East people who, in her own words, . Consider her as part of their society.

Tina has 11 years experience working with the big cats in East Africa.,Zoominfo.com writes that Tina’s openness to immersing herself in new languages, cultures and customs has transformed the Bessemer native into not just a frequent visitor to Africa, but an accepted member of the Samburu community.

As per the Maa people, wives play a major role in the survival of a people. In the old days they used to say, “Etejo apa langeni, mimpar olee eneitainye enkang”( you cannot ask a man where they got their wife from). Here, “enkang is home and equals to wife”

The positive side of facebook phenomenon is that information can be share at the click of a mouse. It has become a significant source of information since everybody is posting excerpts of happenings from where they are, and Tina is not left behind. She was the first one to facebook on the sporadic attacks on Samburu people by the Kenyan armed forces.

Since February 2009, Tina has been providing facebook users with up to date video and photo information from Samburu East.

The information were collected with the recording gadgets she provided to the community members in the area.

Before SAPA and all of us, Tina was already in the village. She went from village to village feeding the needy children with what she had. In our conversation, Tina told me that she couldn’t resist selling a very important peace of property she owned in America to finance her ideal work in Samburu. She gave up her apartment too to reduce expenses.

Additionally, Tina asks her university to get more teaching lessons to earn more for the Samburu people. The money she fund-raise in all her struggle is spent to improve the lives of victims of violence in Samburu East. Tina and her savesamburu.org as well as KARE (Kenya Aid and Relief Effort) has no administrative expenses. Tina’s friends volunteer to help her in her endeavors. This are just but a few good things Tina is doing in the area. Why is she doing all this? Because she belongs to Loorokuchu. Does Tina has a second agenda? No! She is just doing her job. Like your mother, African women are one of the strongest human beings on earth. Where would Africa be, if it were not for her women?

So what is causing the Samburu suffering?

To begin with, Samaburu are an indigenous people who have been ignored by all regimes since independence. Their suffering is blamed to our own government, at least to my personal fair judgment. What my your take?

There only development plan developed for the nomadic people by the Kenyan government was shelved in 1960, just after the independence. Since then, Areas occupied by pastoral people are systematically ignored.

In 2006, the Kenya internal security engaged in disarming Samburu people and arming Pokot, Somalia and Borana ethnic groups in their neighborhood. To me, this strategy is deadly.

Internal security can only be achieved when communities are free from all illicit weapons. In an article last year, I wrote to the Kenyan Minister for internal security and his assistant that it was wrong to disarm Samburu and arm tribes along the border.

The move was suicidal to the Samburu people the consequence of which we have witnessed since February 2009 and reported by Tina on facebook for the first time when the mainstream media ignored or provided unfair and unbalanced reports.

The videos apparatus provided by Tina to Samburu East, were used efficiently to provided pictorial view of the police operations, depicting deaths and injuries inflicted on unarmed mothers and children, indiscriminately.

During his speech at Harvard University, Odinga confirmed that ethnic groups at the border are being armed.

So the question remains, why does the government of Kenya dis-empower some ethnic groups while empowering others?

To avoid speculations, I expected an explanation from the those in authority ( Minister and assistant Minister for Internal security the President and the Prime Minister).

Does arming ethnic groups in the borders “protect” Kenya against the AL-Shabab from recruiting youth in the Northern Frontier districts?

How does the government control the use of the legal weaponry at the hands of civilians?. Standard news paper reports that Samburu leaders are against the government move to arm other ethnic groups and disarm Samburu, as it would impoverish the community.

In another report, the Kenyan daily reports that the Somalia communities at the porous boarder to Somalia vowed to protect us from the dangers posed by the Al-Shabab. Standard Published on 07/01/2010 says that , Sheikh Gure said: “As the clans sharing border with Kenya, we will not allow any criminal by any name, to use our territory to sneak into our friendly neighbour to commit acts of terrorism.” Is this the right way to go? Should the government use civilian to protect our borders?

Once again, the indiscriminate punishment of Samburu people under the supervision of internal security is unprecedented.

Personally, everybody should be disarmed at the same time to create balance in the society.

We know that resources are scares and communities use any means necessary to defend and acquire more resource like water points, grazing fields and boundaries. Any attacks from the armed group on the disarmed group, will be blamed on the government of Kenya.

The Minister and Assistant Minister for ministry of internal security must prevent police brutality during disarmament.

Somalia, Samburu, Pokot, Mt Elgon Ogiek have occasionally been brutalized and evicted from their homes by our government in the previous operations.

Samburu East professionals in all over the world, you have been challenged. SAPA…. your silence is more dangerous to your people than the brutal force by the system applied on your families while you maintain political correctness.

Yes, I know how dangerous it is to fight for human rights but what better alternative do we really have?

Under the Christmas festival of 2009, we asked ourselves what we have done for humanity for the last one year.

In 2010, we will feast and put the same question across to minds and hearts full of Christmas gifts and goodies… but those marginalized will still go without the basic necessity. Ask yourselves what you are doing and kindly enlist physical projects you are involved and how much they have improved our society. Be honest to yourself.

Our hypocrisy is a shame on our legacy, a signature on an empty Cheque for our children.

Happy New year 2010.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

dk(@)diasporakenyan.se

Bishop Manasseh: Prayed for you- Let us pray for Haiti

Prayers for Haiti sent in by the Bishop.

I just prayed for you now let us pray for Haiti Where ther is geat suffering due to the earthquake;

Merciful Heavenly father, our Fathers of old called you merciful and I am a witness that you are merciful…..
Psalm 100:5   (Read all of Psalm 100)

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations

We humbly come before you in the name of your son Jesus Christ, pleading the dire case of our neighbors in Haiti who

at this moment are suffering pain and devastation Dear father look upon them and visit them with your mercy. We pray for all those who are now travelling to go help, protect them and give them victory over the dire situation in that country. May the best in mankind show up now, may the higher level of your created beings present itself now and may there be hope in that land, dear Lord help now to be our brothers keeper. May the Christ in us shine forth, May we become the light and hope bearers in a confused world and dear Lord May your kingdom come in Jesus name we pray AMEN

–
Bishop, Manasseh Mankuleiyo
“Oh To Be His Hand Extended”

The Swedish Red Cross

The Swedish Red Cross (SRC) is one of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s oldest national societies, created in 1865 – only two years after the foundation of the organisation. Throughout its history the SRC has played an important role nationally and internationally. It is the biggest humanitarian voluntary organisation in Sweden, with approximately 280 000 members and 40 000 volunteers who contribute with their spare time to improve conditions for other people. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a worldwide humanitarian organisation, present and active in almost every country. We have around 100 million members all over the world. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. This is done regardless of race, religion or political belief. Our work is united and guided by the seven Fundamental Principles - humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. For further information about the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, please visit the following websites: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies http://www.ifrc.org International Committee of the Red Cross http://www.icrc.org http://user103.streamio.se/content/files/65929/103_65929.mov

I gave what I could to Haiti. Have you?

If you are in Sweden follow this link and please contribute whatever you have for Haiti people. They need you now more than they ever did. Thank you Jacquire Blair for the contribution.
http://www2.redcross.se/newrkweb/webforms.nsf/internetpaypriv?openform

I have made my personal contribution with the little I could. Please join in and let us see the help coming to the little boy whom I saw on CNN under the rubble.

Let see that the help comes to re-building the government if it is wiped out. Have you heard anything from any other parliamentarian ? Have you seen pictures of of the Parliament? Please share with us. The presidential palace is pancaked down.

Today when interviewed, the Haitian president could not even constructively say what help his country needed. He looked around to seek someone to put words in his mouth when he was asked by CNN Jonathan Mann to tell the world what is in the top of his priority list.

He simplified it to,-clear the rubble and people from the street so that help can reach places when it comes. Help has not yet arrived to Haiti, as of today, when this article is written. There are so many survivors trapped under the rubble so saving lives should be priority number one.

Please make an effort of giving to Haiti’s survivors. The President himself is homeless as we speak.

I made my contribution and the Swedish Red Cross thanked me with the message below;

Ett stort tack för Din gåva!

Med vänlig hälsning
Röda Korset

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Retired Rev.Joshua Mankuleiyo's open letter to Saitoti on community uplifting.

Message from Rev. Manasseh Makuleyo.

I write this with tears in my eyes

I have send this one only to those of you I know  have Maasai dire situation at heart

Please pray and do what you can.

Rev. Joshuah is a real foot soldier for the cause of our needy people I think many remember his lifetime contribution to educating the Maasai (Olkejuado High School) and now instead of retiring peacefully he now has the yoke of our beloved people on his shoulders

Please don’t be silent, PLEASE, NOT THIS TIME

Rev Joshuah Mankuleiyos email; (kordedeemaasaielder(@)yahoo.com)

phone Kenya (Cell) 100-254-713 108843

I have send this one only to those of you I know  have Maasai dire situation at heart.

Diasporakenyan requests you to get in touch with Rev.  Joshua Mankuleiyo for more information about the open letter to the Maasai leaders in Kenya. As he wrote above, please don’t be silent, not this time.

You can reach Makuleiyo through the  particulars above. The email is un-clickable to avoid spam.

If you have your open letter to you  leaders and you want to publish it to a wider audience, please post to dk(@)diasporakenyan.se. We will publish your letters as soon as possible.

The letter below is copied to other Maasai civil society organizations all over the world.

Hon. George Saitoti,                                                        Hon. Joseph ole Nkaiserri,Member of Parliament                                                  Member of Parliament, Kajiado North,                                                                Kajiado Central, Minister of Internal Security,                                         Assistant Minister Defence, P.O. Box 30510-00200,                                                  P.O. Box 40668-00100, Nairobi Kenya.                                                               Nairobi-Kenya. Hon. Katoo ole Metito,                                                  Minister of Health Member of Parliament                                                  Attention:- Mr. ole Kiyiapi, Kajiado South,                                                               Permanent Secretary Assistant Minister                                                          Ministry of Health, Regional Development Authorities,                              P.O. Box 30016, P.O. Box 10280-00100,                                                 Nairobi. Nairobi Kenya.

Dear Sirs,

RE: MY RESEARCH ON THE MAASAI COMMUNITY AND MY RECOMMENDATIONS TO UPLIFT THEM IN THE THREE DISTRICTS OF KAJIADO DURING MY CHURCH MISSIONARY WORKS DURING MY VISITS IN 2009.

I send you New Year greetings 2010 and well wishing of a successful year full of God’s blessings.

Allow me to forward to you my research on the hungry and thirsty Maasai’s in the three Districts and note with concern the most urgent needs of the Maasai in the three areas on the following:-

1. Health facilities requirements
2. Education Development/Improvement
3. Other Additional Requirements

1. 1. Water requirements
   2. Mixed farming.

I have forwarded my research book and will later report to meet you accompanied by Maasai distinguished leaders and our church General Overseer and Chairman of our churches, namely Faith Evangelical Free Church – Kenya, who appointed me to represent them as a Church Missionary, after I retired as a Senior Church Minister on 3/8/09.

Please give us an appointment to meet the four of you as addressed in the letter at a place or office of your choice, please, as we come to enlighten you on my findings and that of the distinguished leaders who will accompany me.

We shall conclude a way forward on how we shall solve the urgent needs of our people who have lost their herds in the three Districts and are thirsty and hungry and a solution must be sorted out, if the Maasai are to exist as a tribe in Kenya.

I and the Church have confidence in your leadership capability in Maasailand. I also congratulate your Sirs, for your donations, efforts and concern on the Maasai especially 2009, when you fed the Maasai after addressing them in the three Districts. We as a Church, are ready to work hand in hand to ensure that our community needs are met. We as a Church will, assist other tribes in the three Districts of Kajiado, but priority goes to the Maasai, who have lost everything they owned.

Our lord and Savior Jesus Christ commanded us to love our neighbors, cry with those in sorrows and problems and also cry with those in demise and feed the hungry. The Maasai are now hungry and thirsty and have lost their only income, cattle, sheep and goats, as a result of famine. Let us all join hands to assist the Maasai, as I have clearly and humbly requested in my Missionary research.

I have already made my recommendations and I shall bring respected leaders of the three Districts to meet you. Distinguished Members of our three Districts and we seat down and converse and make a resolution on how to meet the urgent demands of the Maasai, to enable the Maasai live and support their large families. It is with a sad note that children have done well in their K.C.P.E and have been called to join form 1 but parents cannot afford!

May our Lord bless you Sirs, as you arrange the date we shall meet at a venue of your choices in Jesus Mighty name – Amen.

Yours faithfully,

Missionary (Retired) Rev

Joshua O. ole Mankuleiyio

Coordinator

Community Development Projects

Kenya/Tanzania.

C.C.

1. District Commissioner Kajiado North.

(For Information and Action)

1. District Commissioner Kajiado Central.

(For Information and Action)

1. 3. District Commissioner Kajiado South.                                         (For Information and Action)

1. Minister

Water and Irrigation

P.O. Box 49720-00100          Nairobi Kenya

5.  Minister

Ministry of Livestock                                                               P.O. Box 30028

Nairobi Kenya

1. Minister

Ministry of Agriculture            P.O. Box 30028                         Nairobi Kenya Copies to: (For Record and Support)

1. District Livestock Officer

Kajiado Central.

1. Agricultural Officer

Kajiado Central.

1. Medical Officer of Health

Kajiado Central.

1. Health Officer

Kajiado Central.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………

The Apartheid of benevolence.

Photo by Ole Ngais for Radio P1

Välviljans Apartheid.

En mamma som alla andra

Katarina Hahr, program leader for a Radio program called The apartheid of benevolence will be speaking on Sunday 17th January 2010 with different actors including the Swedish Minister for Integration and gender equality Nyamko Sabuni.
The program series will begin broadcasting on Swedish public service Radio P1
at 13.00 hours. Please tune in.
The Apartheid of benevolence.( Heh.. and the Photo is by Ole Ngais)

To listen follow this link. You may need to install a plug for the operative system you are using in your computer.

The voice in the clip is from  a journalist Karin Eriksson, a single mother on a wheelchair. Karin is a mother to a soon 3 year old son. Like many others, Karin is worried that the Social welfare insurance authorities will soon take back her right to  have an assistant.

The Swedish welfare authorities normally carry an annual evaluation on how many hours of special assistance people with disabilities need.

When interviewed by Välviljans Apartheid, Karin said that it’s like every time the welfare authorities carry on the annual evaluation, the disabled people have to-go up in arms and defend their rights to especial help.

According to Karin, special assistance is very essential, not only for her, but also for her son. She shouldn’t be hindered to take her son to place like all other parents, just because she’s on a wheel chair.Taking back her right to access special assistance according to Karin, will be a double discrimination.

Listen what Karin has to say on Public service Radio P1 on Sunday here; http://www.sr.se/webbradio/webbradio.asp?type=db&Id=2152321&BroadcastDate=&IsBlock=

http://www.sr.se/webbradio/webbradio.asp?type=db&Id=2152321&BroadcastDate=&IsBlock=

http://www.sr.se/sida/default.aspx?ProgramId=3139

Counting on you!

Samburu East calling you!

I am still not hearing anything from those who are supposed to be making the loudest calls for the voiceless infant and the dead mother who cannot talk for themselves.

I am still waiting to hear from those whom the cows bought them brighter future and luxury of city life and security.

I am still counting on the defenders of the Maa cow, the child that was sent to school because her parents, her family, her community believed that she will come back to deliver the fruits of their investment.

I have not given up on myself. The blood of the massacred will not only be on the hands of our government, but also, and most certainly, on the hands of those who were educated and entitled with the spear and shield to defend the defenseless community.
I have not failed,I am not yet bankrupt in self confidence, because your pen is still sharper than sword. Sign me that cheque of justice in Samburu East NOW. No more deaths!

This is my reaction on the Samburu East insecurity updates fetched from http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=734924771&ref=nf

Thank you very much all of you who are updating us from the grass-root level. We would never know anything Without your courageous citizen journalism.

Please continue to utilize your right to  speech and press. Let us remember that Kenya is a democratic country that considers this democratic  values as untouchables.

We must write more, we must express ourselves even louder on matters that are paramount to our survival.

Saidimu Ole Ngais

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Friends of Lake Turkana: Nairobi Demo Changes

Hello all! Thank you for signing up to show your support for the cause.

Unfortunately, rather than having a demonstration in Nairobi, FoLT will hold a press conference and open meeting instead. We apologize for any inconveniences this may have caused but as you may understand, it is based on the new ban place on public rallies in Nairobi for this month following the unfortunate events in Nairobi City Centre last week.

The press conference will take place tomorrow, Jan 20th at 10am, NHIF Building, 3rd flr conference rm. The session will include a talk from the renowned anthropologist and environmentalist, Dr. Richard Leakey.

Please feel free to attend to obtain up-to-date information on the progress of the dam as well as hear the insights of those closely involved with the fight.

We hope that when we have another demo you will once again come out to show your support.

See you tomorrow and thanks for the understanding.

STAYING AWAKE IN THE TAIL-END OF THE STRUGGLE

The darkest moment of the night is the hour just before the dawn of the new day. During delivery of a newborn the most painful labor is when the baby is between the pelvis bones just a few inches before the emergence of the foetus. Before every calm is a very majestic storm. Before the salvation of all mankind Jesus wept and his sweat turned into blood. Before the rebirth of the nation of Israel, preceded the great Diaspora and Zion travailed. I therefore say that at the tail-end of anything is the hour and moment we can’t afford to squander by sleeping but to stay awake as we realize the fruits of the long walk of struggles. We can’t afford to put our hands on the wheel and as the engine runs then again look back, NO, not at all because we will cause accident. My friends today I want make this address from the topic; Staying Awake In The Tail-End Of The Struggle.

Look back my friends and praise Him (God) for we have won many a struggle. The will of the people have just prevailed at the County Council of Olkejuado during the controversial corruption meted against the re-election of the council’s chair Tarayia ole Kores. The usual forces of Kajiado North who has turned the courts into safehouses for perpetuating theft and defeating the peoples’ will suffered a rude shock when defeat was miraculously slammed on their faces. This is the same old idea-d politician who behave like a rocking chair to keep us busy but take us nowhere. But like a fallen king anything he does has almost naturally become designed not to work. In the beginning of this year we as a people stamped our foot on the ground to reject the engulfment of Kajiado into the Nairobi Metropolitan Region. Whereas this was a cabinet decision with the President’s own seal and signet we beat them both hands down because the will of the people was resolute. Today I can encourage you that in the Harmonized Draft Constitution the regions has been entrenched and Kajiado is now far from Nairobi, at least in law. Our struggle on the land rights front has gone a notch higher on the signing by the Minister for Lands Hon. James A. Orengo of the Kitengela/Isinya/Kipeto Land Use Master Plan (LUMP). Incase you don’t know what this means; subdivision of land is now capped at 60 acres in the near triangles and 80 acres in the far triangles. Friends this is historic because the mushrooming of unplanned settlements and the uneconomic subdivision of the rangelands will be stemmed and pressure on land checked at least for the next 20 years. Ekijo doi pee ebulu ilopeny enkop, neinepu sii ninche nkera ang inkulie ooloreren, nemeaku ilorook-kutukie eishoo Enkai endaa enye nabanji (it’s an affirmative action to allow our children to grow to be at par with the other children of Kenya and that they are not turned into paupers when God has endowed them with such a great sea of wealth and prosperity). We intent to roll out this LUMP in the entire Greater Kajiado district. Kudos to the Kajiado Community Task force ably chaired by David ole Nkedianye and I serving as its secretary for spearheading the LUMP formulation process.

My knowledge might be limited only to the happenings in Kajiado, but am sure our brothers & sisters from Kilgoris, Narok, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu & Marsabit have very heartening stories to share. It’s in this year that we formed what I call a very robust internet movement where we have been sharing and debating on issues that are pertinent to us as a people. Guys can’t you see how this small, daring and creative initiative is snowballing into an indomitable force that will ultimately culminate into a full and final liberation of the Maa communities? Oh Lord open our eyes to see the things that are hid in your word!

At the tail-end is not the time to slacken but this is the time to up the struggle. And for our brothers and sisters in the diasporas we urge you to forge a stronger commitment and participation in what goes on here. Can we feel your support? This is not because we want to beg (we never do that, for we never lobby around peoples resources, neither do we owe any man dead or alive) but because we are counting on you as comrades in this struggle. We must match our desires with strong actions and commitments.

Martin Luther King Jr. put it more vividly in this text; “This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy, now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of God’s children. Now is the time to end the long and desolate night of slumism. Now is the time to have a confrontation between the forces resisting change and the forces demanding change. Now is the time to let justice roll down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.” (Quoted from I Have A Dream speech).

As we come to the close of this year and as we, with hope and optimism toasted with great faith launch into the year 2010, can we do it in style? This I mean, can we resolve and agree that the baby we have all along hoped to bear is at hand between the pelvis bones. Can we be more innovative, more committed, more in faith, seeing the risks that we expose ourselves to including the writing of this email, as just but small prices to pay. Can we pay many more of these prices! Can we unite the Maa people of Kenya for united we stand divided we fall! Can we refuse to be stopped mid-stream when our faith and effort points that we are just but a breath away to bring home the bacon. May God bless you, God bless the Maasai, and may God bless KENYA.

I love you, God loves you much more even as you Stay Awake In The Tail-End of This Struggle.

PHILLIP S. WUANTAI

CONVENOR/ASSOCIATION OF MAA ACADEMICS

Kenya Police brutality! Rape and mass punishment of Samburu.

weapon-collectionpic

One of the most marginalize indigenous people of Kenya are facing what many human rights organizations term as, a state directed suppression in the name of disarmament.

For a long time now, Samburu East(S.E) has been under the brutal hand of the Kenyan security force dispatched to disarm the ethnic groups in the north from illicit weapon. The operations have been on and off almost a decade now but was intensified since 2006.
Samburu ethnic group were disarmed while the Kibaki government heavily armed the Somalia, Borana and Pokot ethnic groups bordering Samburu. Reports from the mainstream channels have also been indicating that Kenya has been secretly training jobless Somali youth in the refugee camps.

This action weakened Samburu and indeed, created severe suffering resulting from organized attacks from the other armed groups. Personally, I want to live in a weapon free society so I dislike the idea of armed community. We are witnessing the devastation caused by availability of illicit weapons in the hands of careless individuals who are out to create havoc.

But why not disarm all ethnic groups at the same time? Given our knowledge of ethnic polarity in the region, shouldn’t the East African authority operate a synchronized disarmament in all East African countries, and implement a regional system to curb the flow of illicit weapon from countries like Yemen?

Why did the government disarmed Samburu while at the same time armed neighboring ethnic groups? This has been one of the main question ever since the Samburu disarmament. Is it the Samburu people who are the problem, or the illicit weapon in the entire Northern frontier? If suggesting the latter, why is it so?

The propensity of security officers to use force against the indigenous people in northern Kenya asserts that the internal security seem to be deployed for another agenda than protecting the citizens as it is supposed to.
While I was writing this, a short report was relayed to me from human rights activist who flew to Samburu East this week to, if not anything, document the operation. (Thank you guys for your brave hearts)
Below is the blackberry message I received from one of the brave hearts from Lolokue, a continuous voice for the voiceless in (S.E);
Brave heart writes:-Am interviewing victims now for two days straight and with many tears. They (police forces) ripped the hair of three years lengths from Moran’s(warrior’s) head and beat them until thought dead, mixed ugali with tobacco to ruin mothers foods, beat women with rungus, and stolen everything, burned bomas.
The nature of police brutality against the Samburu people reflect the systematic suppression of Samburu society.

Some natives says that they are being targeted because they are regarded as a liability, less productive, therefore not viable for Kenyan economy.

It doesn’t matter that an above average percent of meat and meat products is produced by the nomadic Samburu. Neither does it seem to play any role that Maa/Samburu’s image is all over the world, attracting both foreign and domestic tourism that earns Kenya solid income annually. If only we got respect for that….
Common sense tells me that Samburu’s culture by itself, is a pure environmental friendly and sustainable Gold mine for the entire country. It beats all logic that Kenya wants to be seen as working to thematically and dis-respectfully dissolve this majestic culture for good.
Kenya is known for its BIG 5 and the Maasai/Samburu. Kenyan tourism department doesn’t have to invest heavily in “selling Kenya” as long as the Maasai/Samburu people exist. It is obvious that a Safari package in Kenya shall include a visit to an often referred as, authentic Maasai/Samburu Manayatta/Boma. It is only then, that the tourist claims to have been in Africa on a successful Safari where they saw lions, elephants.. and the “Maasaiwarrior”.
It stuns my imagination though, that an agrarian country like Kenya fails to realize that a farmer does not slaughter her milk cow! She feeds and caress it, to produce more milk!
As per short reports coming in from social media like face-book, twitter and blogs, for the last 1 year, I am made to belief that, these police brutality are sanctioned to undermine the indigenous Samburu in the Eastern side of the greater Samburu District.
Brave heart message continues to read as follows;
-This is no operation for disarming. Not one person was asked for a gun or to why they were being terrorized. Police are in small bands everywhere. Have been assisting raped women to get medical care, as well as the injured. The children no longer smiling’ not even for sweets. One elder said in a meeting last night he feared it was the end of Samburu’s way of life.
Earlier reports states that police were taking away people’s mobile phones and all other possible communication gadgets to prevent information dissemination. The mobile network in Samburu East is also very poor, activists have to walk around in search for a strong network so that they can send this messages to us.
It is my prayers that the human rights foot  soldiers now in Samburu stay save and continue doing the good job you are doing. Continue updating us whenever you can, but please, keep yourself save, if you can.
I also appeal to the internal security minister together with his assistant Minister to sincerely take head and act now to save Samburu East from mass punishment.
Common sense tells me that, this campaign is as personal as my own life, because Samburu East basic rights are abused and so are mine!

Saidimu Ole Ngais.
January 20th 2010.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFOMS – FROM AN IMPERIAL PRESIDENT TO A KING.

By Mwandawiro Mghanga, Chairperson of Social Democratic Party of Kenya.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFOMS – FROM AN IMPERIAL PRESIDENT TO A KING

The Members of Parliament have betrayed people of Kenya, particularly the majority poor and exploited and the struggle for new progressive national constitution.

No wonder the majority of the MPs that are tampering with the constitution in Naivasha have never been involved in the struggle for democracy in the country.

They were part of the dictatorship that was opposed to democratic reforms. While patriots and progressive Kenyans were being persecuted by the Moi and Kenyatta regimes for struggling liberation from dictatorship, those who are now purporting to decide about the constitution for Kenya were accumulating wealth through corrupt deals.

The few of the MPs at Naivasha that were reformers yesterday have now turned into opportunists and traitors and are either silent or collude with those who are manufacturing the constitution which Kenyans should reject.

The MPs went to Naivasha with a mandate to discuss about the harmonised draft of the Committee of Experts that had been improved by various views of the Kenyan people and organisations. However, the MPs decided to exceed their mandate by rewriting the draft constitution and messing it in the process. Rather than listen to Kenyans they opted to listen to foreigners and impose their system of governance chosen by imperialists upon us.

They chopped off chapters and sections from the draft that embody Kenyan cultural values, social and economic rights and all that empowers the poor. They have removed from the draft the wishes and aspirations of the people that have been expressed over the decades of the struggle for the new constitution.

Thus from the imperial president under the present constitution, the MPs have created a king in the new constitution. They have done this by claiming that the majority of Kenyans want to elect their chief executive, president, directly.

What they deliberately avoided to say is that while the Kenyan people want to elect all their representatives, they have never wanted to elect a king whether in the form of president or prime minister. In fact, that is why they struggled against colonialism, the Kenyatta and Moi dictatorial regimes. It is for the same reason they struggled for multiparty democracy that has now completely been undermined by the King in the form of a President proposed by the MPs at Naivasha.

As a revolutionary, I cannot afford to be pessimistic. That is why I always argue that a constitution is not Holly Bible or Holly Qumran. There can never be a constitution that is so perfect that it can never require to be changed. Any constitution we shall get will in future be changed again and again to reflect the dynamism of life in Kenya and the world. I am therefore of the opinion that this time round Kenyans must have a new national constitution.

I agree with those who are proposing a yes yes referendum in which we shall vote for either the constitution with the presidential system or with a parliamentary system proposed by Kenyans and for Kenyans and based on the historical and material conditions of Kenya.

This has been arrogantly rejected by the MPs who falsely tell Kenyans that the yes yes referendum will polarise and divide Kenyans. Some of them have even proposed that there is no need for the referendum arguing that it will divide Kenyans. It is as if in a democracy, and especially in a class society like Kenya, division and class struggles can be avoided. It is as if under the capitalist system in the country Kenyans are united.

I understand the cynicism, pessimism and a sense of hopelessness that is now growing among progressive Kenyans. How can we justify the energy and struggles we have put for constitutional review for so long if we end up with a constitution that is worse than the present one in terms of governance, many are asking? May be when the document being manufactured at Naivasha eventually comes to parliament it will be rejected by the committee of the whole house. But the chances are slim indeed. Again, should it be passed by parliament then Kenyans will still have a chance to reject it at the referendum.

Yet the importance of the referendum in this regard is being questioned even as the propaganda for the king – president is intensified through the media.
This brings me to the argument and the propaganda by Synovate that Kenyans want to elect their chief executive directly, and that therefore they are for the presidential system of government rather than a parliamentary system. In the first place, in both systems the head of governments are elected directly by the people.

The difference is that in the presidential system the people elect a head of government and state called president who is not directly accountable to parliament and therefore the people while in a parliamentary system the people elect a head of government who may be either a president or prime minister but who is not head of state and who is directly accountable to parliament and therefore the people.

Under the presidential system Kenyans will vote mainly for a rich individual while paying only lip service to ideologies and political parties. Under a parliamentary system Kenyans will vote both for political parties, ideologies and leaders of political parties. A leader of a political party that has the most votes and that forms the largest party or coalition of parties in parliament also forms the government to practice the policies they promised the people for a given period in the constitution.

As for the king in the form of president proposed by the MPs at Naivasha, let us open the Bible in the book of Samuel chapter eight. It is written that the elders of Israel told Samuel to appoint them a King to rule them. When they insisted Samuel decided to consult God. God told Samuel to provide them their wish provided they understood the meaning of being ruled by a King.

Which is authoritarianism, dictatorship, oppression and slavery. The people of Israel were warned that the King will the King would be a despot who would rob them of their land, property and make them perpetual servants with no freedom and rights. Despite the advise of Samuel and God, the people still insisted they wanted a King. And so they were given their King.

And it came to pass that they suffered for thousands of years under the rule of Kings. If therefore it is the desire of Kenyans to have a King in the place of an Imperial president, they will get their King. And the Kenyan ruling class will have they last say.

For the president proposed by the MPs will be added more powers on top of the one he already has. He is both the head of state and head of government.

Yet he or she is not required to justify whatever decisions he or she makes directly in parliament. Already Kenya is governed by powerful people and institutions that are only accountable to the president and not the people, from permanent secretaries, heads of parastatals, judges, heads of the army, police, prisons, various commissioners and commissions, ambassadors, etc. On this list will be added ministers. The president will appoint ministers from outside parliament.

These ministers will be accountable to the president who appointed them whatever the talk about seeking the approval by parliament. Like permanent secretaries, the ministers will be above politics and therefore Kenyans will be ruled by the king president and civil servants who are not accountable to the people.

In a multiparty system like Kenya, ministers are appointed to implement the policies and programs of their political parties. The presidential system proposed by the MPs will render political parties useless and instead strengthen authoritarianism, tribalism, nepotism, corruption, social inequality and arbitrary governance.

This is good for the present political and economic ruling class that is united in their desire to maintain the present status quo. But it is the bane of those struggling for a democratic, just, equitable and progressive system in our country. Under this system, the chances of person from the peasant and working class to become president, nay King is the same without of a camel passing through the eye of a needle.

Yes, the struggle for social and national liberation is not easy; it is long, hard and protracted. Yet it has to continue.

Mwandawiro Mghanga, Monday, January 25, 2010

A call for solidarity

Photo by Elin Reinholdsson

Do you also feel that you want to do as much good towards your fellow human beings as you can? It can be frustrating to want to do something for someone out there  but you don’t know how.. Here is one approach.

Just like you, I have a lot of urge to be in solidarity with those in need. I feel I want to share, give back or just help. I suppose you also feel that you may not have the ultimate power to help everybody but you hope as time goes by, that we will together be in a better position to help each other in ways that we can. If you haven’t discovered that special way to show your solidarity, try this one..

If you feel you want to help me help a person in my mind, kindly donate  here through pay pal. {mcpdform}

My areas of concentration, are, private sponsorship of girls who refuse to be circumcised. As we continue to empower our sisters through enlightenment, we also have the human moral obligation(according to myself), to prevent them from being genitally mutilated  in the first place.

I have personally been giving what I can to those Maasai needy girls. The money goes towards paying their boarding schools and other requirements.

Our Maasai culture is very strong and it’s one of the few cultures that have so far survived the world changes. Some of our cultural activities have since time immemorial discriminated against our very own sisters.We are working hard to change this. Like many of my fellow Maa tribal people, I honestly proud of who I am and live to conserve our identity and dignity.

However, there are those practices in our culture that we must not any more tolerate.

One them is circumcision of girls. As a Maasai man, I  participate in setting  the pace for the change we need and not the change that others set for us. Help us to eradicate FGM and give our sisters access to quality education.

Those threatened by FGM (Female genital mutilation) needs to move away from the village and study in a decent school, re-commendably in a boarding facility where they can enjoy safety under legal protection as required by the laws of Kenya. It is very difficult to monitor what happens to the girl-child in the village since customary law applicable in the villages is always too strong to be questioned by anybody.

You better be ready to take massive continuous heat from the Maa Tribal Conservatives but you can’t stop fighting for justice.

In any case, boarding schools act as a sanctuary for the girl-child to grow and become a learned open minded and independent woman with a more advance perception on their lives. These children will not only grow to become modern Maasai’s, but also significant puzzles for building the Kenya we want. A Kenyan puzzle is lost or dented for every girl-child that is cut and married off.

Maa tribal agents of change are all singing the song of equal education to all as the only key to the survival of Maa people and indeed, the entire Kenya.

For Sponsoring one girl throughout her school, please get in touch with me. Go on and make your contribution below.

For more information contact me at:

dk(@)diasporakenyan.se

Mob:+467 374 205 66.

Samburu East Has gone digital!
The Samburu East Constituency has come up with a web page which can be seen by following this link. http://www.samburueastcdf.go.ke/.
Diasporakenyan would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the initiator of the idea, the web-master for a well done job and the entire Media and sponsor crew for tapping unto the opportunities offered by the Internet and social media tools.
The main goal of the website is to connect with the population and dispatch news and happenings in the constituency.
According to the website the mission is;
1. To integrate invaluable ideas of stakeholders allover the world for use in developing the constituency.
2. To publish local news(not politically inclined/motivated) of occurrences in constituency/district.
3. To reach the public(Interested stakeholders) irrespective of their geographic position.
4. To encourage elitism and eradicating clanism.
5. To honour individuals,groups,institutions who will help the constituency in one way or another for development.
The electorates would be able to follow how the community development allocated funds are used. It is possible to get in touch with the area Member of parliament Mr. Letimalo. This is really good sign. Just go on and post your ideas to your MP.

You see, the more closer and connected we are to our leaders, the more effective and efficient the democratization of our society becomes.

Our leaders will get access to our ideas, our priorities and recommendations hence allocate the funds according to our priority list and not other people’s plans imposed on us.
You are advised by the web-master to go ahead and register yourself in the web page so that you can participate in the discussion forums. For more information, contact the Webmaster Thomas Lolosoli

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Mutilated Maasai girls share trauma with their brothers.

Photo Credit. afrol News - December 9, 2008

Female genital mutilation is discrimination against women!  This is what WHO says about FGM-

FGM is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women. It is nearly always carried out on minors and is a violation of the rights of children. The practice also violates a person’s rights to health, security and physical integrity, the right to be free from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and the right to life when the procedure results in death.

It is my conviction that I shall be involved in the process of eliminating FGM and save our sisters from the scourge of the retrogressive and harmful vise.

We don’t need it anymore! Female genital mutilation is not, and has never been a determining factor of our identity as a people.

We are not Maasai because we cut our women, we aren’t Maasai because we sell off our children as wives to wealthy men. We refuse to be such an uncaring tribe.

Personally, I am convinced beyond all doubts that this is my struggle.

I know this because I have 5 sisters, 4 of them living with psycho-somatic damages inflicted upon them through FGM and early childhood marriages. The last one, I swore upon my life, that I ex-communicate myself from my family and entire continent, in case my father let her be CUT. Imagine how many girl-children over the whole continent who are victimized by such a barbaric outdated tradition. It is because of them that I take this cause.

I thank my parents(both of them ) for letting me adapt my little sister and protect her against FGM, while we use her as a pilot project in our isolated Maasai village in Laikipia.

The effects of FGM recurs in the lives of those affected. Both the physical and psychological scars takes time to heal. Four of my sisters are still wondering what they did to my father and to his culture why they were mishandled so badly.

My younger sister who was brighter than all of us still question us why she had to be dropped from school.

I can’t live with the guilt conscious, than to try and give back what was taken from her.

They have been wounded so badly, that you’d wonder how in the whole world they still rise up and live. Despite the damage, I have seen them fighting back like lionesses! The faith and braveness of those Maasai girls gives me no reason to cowardliness!

I am hopeful that FGM is soon history in our world. However, I cannot continue to live on hope alone. Not when we can cooperate and create a force against the evil cultural practice. We have a moral duty to defend those who are more vulnerable to inhuman treatment.

It is my duty to stand in the front-line as a human rights foot soldier for equal treatment of my sisters as well as my brothers. We must unite now for the coming generation to learn from us.

We must send a signal to them that FGM is the enemy number one of our people and nations. Our women must access equal respect and acknowledgment.

Imagine my sisters were such intelligent time keepers,(I never bothered keeping time till I was forced to learn it the bitter way;)) They loved their school. They were good athletes and they sang so brilliantly.

Apart from the 14 year old mother’s last born(my adapted daughter), the rest never enjoyed the liberty of growing as children, with respect and opportunities to become anything other than house wives.

They were all taken out of school, cut and married off to men they never met before.

Before that, they would be used to take care of our goats so that the boys could study since we are considered to be more viable to be invested on than girls.

They sold them all like cheap items in a barter market. The trauma they went through, their cry for help, the loud scream, is deeply printed in my soul.

Does anyone here their cry?

Now is my sisters’ time! No questions no doubt. It is 2010 and our boat is sailing.. We are by all means, meant to be fully involved in eradicating FGM for good.

I will be gladly cooperative. You know they took my little mother(eldest sister) from me when i was just 7yrs and she was around 14 yrs.

Being from a family of 14 siblings (9 alive),my mother had more other little children to share her love with so i found my place in my eldest sister. It wasn’t long before they cut her and sold her to an elderly military officer who was already married with 2 children.

I shall never feel myself a liberated man until my sisters are all free! Equally respected and acknowledged! I can’t fight for my rights if I ignore those of my sisters. In whichever way, I shall be part and parcel of the movement against FGM. Aluta continua!

Maasai Men against FGM

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

MMAFGM

SPAMMER TARGETTING DK

LAST WARNING! STOP SPAMMING MY BLOG!

YOUR

IP ADDRESS IS 41.204.168.X

person: Kxxxx Chxxx
address: P.O. Box 302xx 00100, Nairobi, Kenya
phone: +254206750xxx
e-mail: xxxx@xxxxxx
nic-hdl: KC1-AFRINIC
remarks: Kenya Education Network
source: AFRINIC # Filtered

inetnum: 41.204.xxx.xx – 41.204.xxx.xx
netname: KENET-KabarakUni
descr: KENET-Kabarak University

1. WHAT YOU ARE DOING

1. USING DIFFERENT KENYAN TRIBAL NAMES MEANING ITS NOT A SPIDER/CRAWLER! ITS A HUMAN TRYING TO PULL THIS BLOG DOWN WITH MASS COMMENTS.
2. YOU ARE ABLE TO SOLVE SIMPLE MATHS, BEFORE YOU LOG IN TO SPAM DK. MEANING YOU ARE HUMAN.
3. YOU CREATE ACCOUNTS AND TARGET SPECIFICALLY ONE ARTICLE, MEANING YOU ARE SMARTER THAN A BLIND CRAWLER
4. YOUR IP IS FROM THE SAME AREA AND HAS BEEN NOTED.

WHAT AM DOING NOW.

1. BLACKLIST YOUR IP AND REPORT IT FOR LEGAL ACTION. Transferring this ware-abouts to Google and your domain registrar.
2. SO FAR, KEEP ON SOLVING SIMPLE MATHS AND CONTINUA SPAMMING DK.
3. MEANWHILE, I AM TRACING YOU. NEXT TIME, I AM REVEALING YOUR FULL LOCATION AND FULL IP HERE ON THIS BLOG.
4. NOTE THAT THE LAST DIGIT OF THE IP IS FILED. YOUR MAC-ADDRESS ARE NOTED, NAME OF YOUR COMPUTER RECORDED AND SO YOU ARE BEING FOLLOWED KEENLY.
5. STOP IT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

SAIDIMU SHOUTING.

Survival International: Demonstrations in Kenya against Ethiopian dam

The Mursi in Ethiopia will be severely affected by the dam.
© Marco Trovato/Survival

Photo Credit. Marco Trovato/Survival

Demonstrators have protested in four towns in Kenya, against the construction of a controversial dam that threatens the survival of a hundred thousand indigenous people throughout the Lower Omo Valley in Ethiopia and around Lake Turkana in Kenya.

Ethiopia’s Omo River is a lifeline for various tribes, who cultivate crops on the fertile floodplains in an otherwise challenging environment. The river is the largest source for Kenya’s famous Lake Turkana, the most saline of Africa’s large lakes, essential to the survival of many Kenyan tribes. The Lower Omo Valley and Lake Turkana are both UNESCO World Heritage sites, in recognition of the ‘exceptional’ conditions there.

Friends of Lake Turkana organised the simultaneous demonstrations, but had to hold a press conference in Nairobi, because of a ban on public demonstrations in the capital.

A FoLT representative said, ‘Based on research and advice from environmentalists, we the Friends of Lake Turkana (FoLT) are concerned about the drastic two year infilling of the dam as well as the limited amount of water to be let out into Lake Turkana to maintain ecological needs.’

In Ethiopia it is much harder for people to demonstrate against the project. The government has introduced legislation to stop local organisations from working on human rights, democracy, justice and law issues. Most people know virtually nothing about the dam and its impacts.

The Italian company Salini Construttori has already built one third of the dam, called Gibe III. The Italian government and various multinational banks are now considering funding the project.

However, independent experts say it will disrupt the seasonal flooding of the Lower Omo Valley, decimating the forests around the river and making it almost impossible for the tribes of the valley to grow their crops.

Several NGOs have made formal complaints to the Africa Development Bank urging it not to fund the dam.

The volume of water flowing in to Lake Turkana is likely to fall dramatically. Tribes including the Turkana, Dassanech, Rendille and Samburu rely on lakeside livestock grazing, crop cultivation, as well as fishing in the lake itself.

Survival is calling on the Ethiopian government to freeze the dam project until an independent environmental and social impact assessment has been carried out and the Omo Valley tribes have been properly consulted.

Source;

THE KENYA OF THE SOUTH: AN OPPRESSED LAND WHOSE BEAUTY HAVE REFUSED TO GO AWAY

The article below is written  by

PHILLIP S. WUANTAI

CONVENOR/ASSOCIATION OF MAA ACADEMICS,

and submitted by Enkishui E Maa.

So where do we go from here? No where! This is because we the Maasai have become a drop in an endangered sea. The cost of inaction is now beginning to take a toll on us with the capacity to completely wipe out our entire generation. We have analysed and analysed and will continue to analyse our problems until kingdom come.

It seems like the more things change the more they remain the same. I would like to believe that no one would willingly choose slavery over freedom.
But today I want to address from the subject, The Kenya of the South. This is because it is a time-bomb waiting to explode one day though we are all sitting on. All of us are hoping it will go away one day. We hope it will go away by itself or by some other means and not us.

The fact that we have brought forth children whose future we cannot secure nor guarantee their stability is undeniable reality. They will now become as broken arrows in the hands of a weakened people that cannot be aimed nor relied on to bring anything home.
The Republic have exacerbated this scenario by literally denying the Maa an equal chance to live dignified lives free from political-legal discrimination and preference. To reflect on these I borrow from and paraphrase my great friend and colleague, Ekuru Aukot, PhD.:
I do not approach this as a politician, which am not; neither do I engage with the subject as a lawyer even though I aspire to be one, rather I approach the issues herein as a resident of southern Kenya, and Kajiado district in particular. I feel and experience what it means to live in southern Kenya as a region and in contradistinction to the rest of Kenya (I have, of course, the advantage of living in both ‘Kenyas’).

I have no doubt that this situation described resonates with many marginalized groups and others from the less favored regions of Kenya and arguably even the Maa of Tanzania, and in particular those who are marginalized in the political, economic and social arenas of any political set up. Because we are livestock keepers we live in porous ‘legal borders’ not secured by the Kenyan state laws.

This makes me begin to question the whole aspect of inclusion. In the context of the Maasai of Kenya they would easily find brotherhood, and appreciation and acceptance from across borders & foreign governments and states than they would within the borders of their beloved country.
I put it that this is a country where we have two sets of laws governing different regions. I will demonstrate this with a few examples: the notorious Registered Land Act Cap 300 Laws of Kenya for instance, sets out the requirement of district land boards.

But do you know that 96% of all land sold in The Kenya of the South/Kajiado goes through an illegal outfit called a ‘Special Land Board’; a one man affair constituted & chaired by the D.C or D.O and endorses land transactions at 7pm in the evening? This carcinogenic situation has now spread its wings to the other parts of The Kenya of the South/Narok and Transmara.

I got a shocker of my life when I went on holiday to refresh in the Maasai Mara over last December and learned that land sale is equally rampant there.

This cash cow (Mara) is quickly being handed out to the lowest bidders. With the creation of the East Africa Community the plains along Nairobi-Namanga road are now up for grabs. In all these instances the Maasai can’t see that they are selling gold in exchange for clay.

We have become a generation of spenders selling away our birthright and behaving as if life will stop with us. We are acting as though we are the last port of call and conveniently forgetting that land and the future belongs to the children. Yet our government is laughably holding on to the old bastard gimmick ‘willing buyer, willing seller’ even where there is no equal information and no equal capacity.
On the public jobs arena the people of The Kenya of the South do not benefit from government and public appointments: consider for example; since 2003 to date, what have we to show except feeling dejected, shortchanged and deprived?

I am a witness that most of you have merited your education through hard work but you are discriminated against in public employments.

You are indeed true veterans of creative suffering. This is why I am working around the clock to secure an appointment with the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, so we can table a bitter protest on this shortchange and demand our fair share of public jobs.

It’s still fresh in my mind when the Kibaki government flew an armored chopper in early 2005 over Maai Mahiu-Suswa to brutally stop the people of The Kenya of the South /Maasai from safeguarding their livestock watering points against aggressing neighbors.

Even statistically we are fraudulently robbed by being declared the ‘richest constituencies’ so that when it comes to national resource allocation we receive the most possible minimum. Our grandparents tell us that once upon a time Magadi Soda and Amboseli belonged to them but were violently grabbed courtesy of the central government.

Today the Kajiado Township Airstrip has been quickly allotted to foreigners of Somali origin and therefore you will never get an opportunity to fly from or into Kajiado courtesy of Somalis strongly backed by the current local MP.

Whereas in every part of Kenya physical development plans (PDPs) and landuse practices are adhered to, in The Kenya of the South / Kajiado, Narok and Transmara everything is forced to ‘grow’ including eucalyptus trees in arid areas that has terrible effects on the pasture cover, flower farms that drain poison into our rivers where our livestock and wildlife drink from, ken-chic farms that dot our grazing areas and emit excess heat into our air, and private towns such as Jamii Bora in Kisaju flourish in the middle of grazing plains and migratory corridors.

For where have you ever heard of a ‘private township’ except in Kajiado?

This is why I call ourselves, ‘The Kenya of the South’. We are The Kenya of the South because we are ‘governed’ by a set of illegitimate laws and policies sadly accepted by us. Whereas we were the known Aristocrats of eastern Africa, we have been reduced to modern day paupers and primitives courtesy of prolonged suffering and perpetual marginalisation.

This list is long and endless, yet we are still sleeping on the same beds and the same number of hours without raising a finger and silently passing on as donkeys.
You will agree with me that all along we are not treated equal in this country with people of the Kenya we know. Most people are more equal than us.

This is barbaric, its oppressive, illegitimate, and unacceptable and we must stand to resist. If you want to know that a cat can turn into a lion, then push it to a corner and continue whipping it very hard; it will liberate itself from you even if it means going through your eyes.
I attribute all these to the fact that we are the heirs of a failed leadership regime that have mastered the art of fooling us by taking us around and around essentially leading us to nowhere. It’s indeed reminiscent of Chinua Achebe’s piece in the book, Things Fall Apart: ‘‘Turning and turning in the widening gyre, the falcon cannot hear the falconer; things fall apart, the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, the blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned; the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity’’. WB Yeats – The Second Coming.
As an initiative of the Association of Maa Academics we want to make extensive educational tours to Narok University, Moi University – Eldoret & Mt. Kenya University so we can embark on an intensive drive to start a university in Kajiado.

Our policy at the Association of Maa Academics is directed not against any politician or doctrine but against ignorance, against hunger, against poverty, against desperation, and against chaos. Its purpose should be the revival of a working economy in the Maa communities of Kenya so as to permit the emergence of political and social conditions in which a free, educated and empowered community and society can emerge and thrive.

But from now on any leadership or group which seek to perpetuate this community’s ignorance and misery in order to profit there from politically or otherwise will encounter the stiffest opposition from us, the Association of Maa Academics.
I definitely know that this will be met with resistance from the retrogressive leadership that will hate to see us move on but THIS IS NOT ABOUT THEM, IT’S ABOUT US AND OUR CHILDREN.

Please join me realize this dream of a Kajiado Maasai Community University/KMCU. Once this is realized we will move on to Narok, Laikipia, Samburu, Kilgoris & Baringo to spearhead initiatives for teachers colleges and Universities. Please join me with your contributions & support.

I know I am treading on very challenging grounds. There is no illusion that this is not true. Yet we have no choice. I have been writing to you extensively and have never made any request; but in this I plead for your support to come out alive and exert your energy on your peoples’ battles. In this you will never pass the world as shadows but will write everlasting footprints for generations that come to follow.

My stubborn hope tells me that the jewel in the crown of this community is in its beauty which have refused to go away. I will forever display little patience for any who tries to extend the suffering of this community. I surrender to Swiss philosopher Henri Amliel’s counsel: “Truth is not only violated by falsehood; it may be outraged by silence.”
Your action and/or reaction will determine whether we remain The Kenya of the South or the Kenya we know.

Diaaspora-Kenyan. I just want to share emunyani olabaani with you, Brother Wuantai! It’s not always you read words that reminds you that you are a warrior/community guard. Your tantalizing words are sharp,  cutting procrastination, hopelessness  and fear into nothing. We shall restore this community. Let us now fund-raise for KMCU!

Stand-up for your Rights.

As I was attending my usual tug of war on where to place the days building block of our society, ensuring that I make it easier for children to grow as equals in my own native country, and so Wuantai Phillip was breaking the ground beneath the foundation from which my arguments stands. It is mandatory for all of us to be builders of our society just as they invested their wealth for us to shed away ignorance.

From home I hear the voice of a true community builder standing up for his rights. I hear,- it’s not enough! Do more!

In his powerful letter to members of Enkishui E Maa(Never ever stop writing to us), he writes about the Kenya of the South and explains. You must also have heard his words- the Kenya of the south that is governing us with illegitimate laws sadly accepted by us yet we are still sleeping on the same beds and the same number of hours without raising a finger and silently passing on as donkeys.

Wuantai the builder, has declared that suffering of the Maasai people is intolerable, he calls you to react.

He was all along shouting that I place the stone in a corner. Snow is about 2 meters this morning in the heart of Stockholm so it’s in this hard times you get the opportunity to reflect.

Like a new discovery, I admit that the voice of this man called Wuantai has been like nourishment for those of us(at least myself) who are burning for the restoration of the Maa community. Wuantai phenomenon is defying distance, it’s here in Stockholm. I am sure its also in Keekonyokie, Nairagie Enkare, Kaputei, Irmookodo te Mukogodo/Laikipia, Sampur, Kilgoris and all over the Kenyan Maasai Diaspora.

In Stockholm, temperatures are way below 15 degrees minus. The winds are hostile and aggressive especially to a one like me with a complexion, naturally darkened to adapt the warmer temperatures of the zero degrees equator, in a nation that Wuantai genuinely baptizes as “The Kenya of South”! I am not made for Sweden..

Hardship is healthy, it raises the level of a man’s self awareness. Not that I dislike my host country, but it is unavoidable to hear the call from those ignorant victims in Maasailand. I sincerely concur that there must be an indigenous University in Maasialand. For this reason, we must start fund-raising from now henceforth!

Despite climatic harshness, my host country is mindful of her citizens. This is the reason we are still here. As the saying goes, ( Tinimiaata enino, tarishore enelikae). Yet, I cannot forget the well(Olare) from which my mother fetch her 20 liter dangerous water, which she carries on her back kilometers to an awaiting thirsty family, before she repeats the same process day in day out.

I cannot close out the calls and news of children suffering from waterborne disease, The water purifying system we introduced failed despite claims that all precautions were followed, including boiling milk and drinking water. It’s understandable because an entire community has never seen tap water or drank from a water tank. They share dirty water with all the animals in the area. A shame that is synonymous with my native country. This injustice cannot be tolerated.

Wuantai must have been jotting his campaign down , while I was meditating on the same issue from another angle. He new that we must indeed personalize this issue.

I have never doubted that this issue is personal.. It has always been about my life and that of my children.. Yes, your life and that of your children too.. that personal! The retrogressive leaders including most of our very own, cares less because their own children’s future is already secured monetary wise. Just like the greater fair society, they also tell their children to” know thaeselves”. nevertheless unlike the greater fair society, the selfish governors precaution their decedents to keep as much power as possible, at the expense of everybody else. To Allie with those of their class for a save and productive hunt for wealth producer’s sweat and blood!

They(governors and their decedents) are told, the more they empower you, the less value their accumulated wealth shall hold, they are aware that they are keepers of our Godly given wealth.

They are scared of our power and that is why they keep us in the dark. However, (Etejoki apa nailokino motiook enkima)

And so I walked over the 2 meter snow along the walking path by the road wondering how unfair the world is. Why should this country receive so much unwanted water(snow) when the Kenyans of the South share an earth well on a seasonal river with the wild animals. Should I blame the nature or the Systems?

The dangerous stagnant water that kills more of the Maa children every year who goes unreported due to lack of welfare facilities and our own people’s ignorance. This is definitely not the curse by nature but  symptoms of a chronically sick system that was never designed for humanity. It is unexplainable that Kenya lived under it for more than 4 decades.

A society that have it’s children killed by a basic necessity like drinking water cannot just exist for long! We cannot wait, says Wuantai, OUR FUTURE CANNOT BE POSTPONED – WHY THE MAASAI YOUTH MUST PARTICIPATE IN REFORMS

He was down in the trench from which our house shall stand upon, calling for more strength, to stabilize the house to withstand future quakes. He knows where the weakness is. To me, he knows how to restore the house. His call  is a reminder to all of us to “tasaai orgisoi lolalem”(trans..) Phillip Wuanta challenges you to dare not to just belief that it is only an illusion! This house shall be restored.

He dreams big and long term! He desires and seek nothing less than an enlightened empowered society! The one time self sustained society of the Eastern Africa, has been reduced to a mere pauper courtesy of systematic marginalization by all regimes ever since the formation of our modern Kenya.

The suffering of our people, especially from the house of Maa, due to ignorance, poverty and poverty related disease, continuous loss of land and inability/lack of will by the government to formulate policies best suited to elevate the livelihood of the nomadic people. It is this bitterness that drives Wuantai down the gullies that erodes our house, in the urge to personally fill the gap. Oh.. personalizing the restoration of our community is inevitable. We must do the spade job ourselves.

However, in our society, personalizing matters normally causes hiccups and upsets although the resilience of our people has always deterred numerous exploitation by external forces. Our ability to preserve our dignity intimidates many, and yet, they call us primitive and backward people.

Ostensibly, Fear of being picked on, as result of personalizing our community’s issues, tends to be the biggest obstacle. Many a times we are, as Wuantai puts it,- met with resistance from the retrogressive leadership that will hate to see us move on but THIS IS NOT ABOUT THEM, IT’S ABOUT US AND OUR CHILDREN.

Meanwhile, after reading his posting on the facebook for the Enkish E maa network, I knew I must do a few home duties in time. From dropping my Little Sokoyian and Lemayian to Day-care, scoot to catch the train to town and borrow some text books for my course and read that chapter that has been bothering me for the last one week.

In fact, this is not what I was to write about…

The tittle of my meditated story before Wuantai swept me away with his Kenya of the South article, was something in the neighborhood of; Continuous armed forces recruitment in Maasailand curtails promising academics from degrees.

If all our sons are recruited to the regimes armed forces, who then shall work in our offices, re-distributing the social welfare among our people?

I have noticed that many Maasai brilliant children ends up becoming armed forces professionals. Many of these University material would be the agents of restoration but their dreams are crashed the soonest they’re enrolled on Kenya armed forces payroll.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

After finishing form four, with a mean grade of C plain from Dol-dol high under the headmaster Lotuliatum (1992-1995), Ole Ngais was twice hunted down by the area chief and other local leaders who felt it was good for him to be offered to the AP and GSU armed units consecutively, to be recruited. My rebellion spoke for me. In 1998, I went for a Cadet recruitment myself with my C plain. After 4 times round the Nanyuki Stadium they asked if I had someone with me. I was alone so I didn’t impress the employer!

MMAFGM coming soon

MMAFGM

I know you have a testimony to give! Do it  for solidarity and for human rights in our homes. FGM is a crime against humanity. We are working on a platform from where Maasai men and all others who want to support us, can give their testimonies on how FGM has affected their lives. We will soon be online

We have now known that we don’t need it any longer. We must have had enormous use of it, as a tool for social management and welfare distribution. I can only think that our culture sustained the vise as a tool to do good for our society. I claim to belief this due to the faith I have for my people revealed in the heritage and stability our culture has had since the beginning. The sustainability of this culture would be the reason why they used what is locally available in their welfare.

I suppose they cut the girls to prevent them from seeking foreign men while their husbands were away following rain seasons with their cows. Their home security and internal  intelligence taught them Anatomy. They knew what tool to suppress. There was the urge of keeping the ethnic group pure.

They cut our sisters and mothers, to keep us together against the Other, who was perceived as a threat. Today, we have a national security force(of course when it is not turning against us),passports, for those of us who are lucky enough have access to such basic rights. Many of our Maa people don’t even know what a Passport is and why we need it. And above all, we want to belief that we belong to the Kenya we want.

Today, we have, or so we long for, a fair welfare state, that shall protect us, and re-distribute well-fare among its citizens without discrimination. We still have to enjoy this right though.

It is evident that our people aren’t any barbaric! They did all what they had to do, to ensure the survival of the Maa people.

While we are working on the welfare, it is our fundamental belief that FGM belongs to the gone world. We declare that we need not any more to identify our women by the cut of the razor. Our women can/should provide for themselves now! We are all born free.

But conservatives would still ask how we would know that they are our girls.. The answer to them is long but fornow I can only contra-question.. Who is your people? If we want  to identify who our people are, we need only to see their proper identification documents provided by our nation. Our girls can take  Matatu like everybody else to Nyayo house and get a national passport or ID card for that matter.

This, does not mean however, that we loose ourselves. But dropping FGM isn’t dropping our identity because FGM has never been our “authentic” identity.

As men of our society, we claim the right to choose our women therefore we prefer them as the nature created them. Say no to FGM Now.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Serian ake? Word of mouth..

Serian Ake? What’s happeining in our village?
Are you at home, maybe in Kijape community ranch in Kimanjo? Are you in Il-polei and you have something you want to share with Diasporakenyan? Have the community been organizing a local committee to demand to be told how the community development funds for Laikipia North are used? Has someone been inquiring who the members of the CDF committee are?
Have you seen another explosive in Sarampa Moru pusi or around Or-Maalo? Write to tell us everything you know. Are the cows feeding on “limo” “dewed grass”? For many diaspora Maasai, that is very inspiring news.
It’ll be our pleasure if you send us any news, happenings or just community stories around your area. We miss so much just about everything concerning our native homes.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Kenya: Landmark Ruling on Indigenous Land Rights

African Human Rights Commission Condemns Expulsion of Endorois People for Tourism Development

(New York, February 4, 2010) – A ruling by the African Commission
on Human and People´s Rights condemning the expulsion of the
Endorois people from their land in Kenya is a major victory for
indigenous peoples across Africa, Human Rights Watch, WITNESS,
and the Endorois´ lawyers said today. The Commission ruled on
February 4, 2010 that the Endorois’ eviction from their traditional
land for tourism development violated their human rights.

The Kenyan government evicted the Endorois people, a traditional
pastoralist community, from their homes at Lake Bogoria in central
Kenya in the 1970s, to make way for a national reserve and tourist
facilities. In the first ruling of an international tribunal to find a
violation of the right to development, the Commission found that this
eviction, with minimal compensation, violated the Endorois´ right as
an indigenous people to property, health, culture, religion, and natural
resources. It ordered Kenya to restore the Endorois to their historic
land and to compensate them. It is the first ruling to determine who
are indigenous peoples in Africa, and what are their rights to land.
The case was brought on behalf of the Endorois by CEMIRIDE and
Minority Rights Group International.

“The Endorois decision, the first of its kind, can help many others
across Africa who have been forced from their homes,” said Clive
Baldwin, senior legal adviser at Human Rights Watch, who was co-
counsel for the Endorois in the case while employed with Minority
Rights Group International. “The African Commission is clear: the
land where the Endorois historically lived is their property and must
be returned to them.”

Lake Bogoria is considered to have great tourism potential due to its
hot springs and abundant wildlife, including one of Africa’s largest
populations of flamingos. The African Commission accepted the
Endorois´ evidence that they have lived there since “time immemorial” and the lake was the center of their religion and culture, with their ancestors buried nearby. After being evicted from the fertile land around the lake, the Endorois were forced to congregate on arid
land, where many of their cattle died.

They tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Kenyan government, the
local authorities, and the Kenyan Wildlife Service to reverse their
policy of evicting everyone, including traditional inhabitants,
from areas the government designated national parks and reserves. They
were also rebuffed when they soughtan adequate share ofthe tourism
and revenues generated by the reserve. After Kenyan courts refused to
address their case, they brought their case to the African Commission
in 2003. As a component of the case, WITNESS and CEMIRIDE
collaborated on a landmark use of video as evidence, demonstrating
how conditions on the ground breached articles of the African Charter
on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and bringing voices of the Endorois
to the Commission.

Violations of land rights, including the rights of the generations of
Kenyans displaced through historic and recent evictions, are one of
the key unresolved issues in Kenya, which former United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan acknowledged in the aftermath of
Kenya´s electoral violence in 2007-2008. The African Commission
found that the Kenyan government has continued to rely on a colonial
law that prevented certain communities from holding land outright,
and allowed others, such as local authorities, effectively to own their
traditional land on “trust”for these Communities. The local authority
in Lake Bogoria was able to end the Endorois trust at will and to seize
the land.

In the last decade there have been several attempts at comprehensive
land reform that would allow for final and fair determination of land
ownership and create a system to restore landto those unlawfully
evicted or to compensate them. None of these reforms has been
completed. While the adoption by the government of a new land
policy in August 2009 marks a significant step forward, it still needs
to be translated into effective protection on the ground for Kenya´s
most marginalized.

“This ruling is good for every Kenyan,” said Korir Singo´ei, who
represented the Endorois while director of CEMIRIDE. “The law that
treats some communities as children, unable to own their own land, is
a colonial relic that needs to be changed..”

The African Commission determined that the Endorois, having a clear
historic attachment to particular land, are a distinct indigenous
people, a term contested by some African governments who claimed
all Africans are indigenous. It also found that the Endorois had
property rights over the land they traditionally occupied and used,
even though the British and Kenyan authorities had denied them a
formal title. In finding a violation of the right to development for the
first time the Commission relied on the failure of the Kenyan
authorities to respect the right of the Endorois to consent to
development, and the failure to provide them adequate compensation
for the loss they had suffered, or any benefit from the tourism.

The African Commission had ruled in 2006 against the Kenyan
government for allowing a ruby mining company to start illegal
mining on another part of the Endorois´ land, severely affecting their
remaining access to water. Following that ruling, the mining company
abandoned its activities.

“The African Commission´s ruling makes clear to governments that
they must treat indigenous peoples as active stakeholders rather than
passive beneficiaries,” said Cynthia Morel, who was co-counsel for
the Endorois as senior legal adviser with Minority Rights Groups
International. “That recognition is a victory for all indigenous peoples
across Africa whose existence was largely ignored – both in law and
in fact – until today. The ruling spells the beginning of a brighter
future.”

The Commission requires Kenya to take steps to return the Endorois land and compensate them within three months. Comprehensive reform to bring Kenya’s land laws to the standards set by the Commission is vital before the 2012 elections, Human Rights Watch, WITNESS, and the Endorois’ lawyers said.

For more on Human Rights Watch´s work on Kenya, please visit:

http://www.hrw.org/africa/kenya

http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2008/03/16/ballots-bullets

http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2008/07/27/all-men-have-gone-0

For more on MRG´s work on the Endorois, please visit:

http://www.minorityrights.org/7407/trouble-in-paradise/meet-the-

endorois.html

To see the video evidence presented to the court and the film
about the Endorois and the case produced by CEMIRIDE and
WITNESS, please visit:

http://hub.witness.org/en/RightfulPlace

For more information, please contact:
In New York, Clive Baldwin (English, French): +1-917-880-8756
In Nairobi, Korir Singo’ei (English, Swahili): +254-722-776994
In London, Cynthia Morel (English, French): +44-79-527-19484
In New York, Bukeni Waruzi (Swahili, English, and French): +1-
718-783-2000, ext. 307 (For WITNESS)

Customers Required!-Buy your village today.

Contemporary African Art

From Drop Box

Ogutu is in town. Vincent Oqutu describes himself as a young upcoming artist who deals with mainly contemporary art. He’s in Stockholm and he’s asking you to visit his blog and see his arts.

Prices are indicated and art pieces are painted on canvas.

If you want to order as special paint, just mail him and book a meeting to provide the ideas you want to have in painting.
Do you have a picture of your childhood village and you want it re-produced on a wide canvas? Talk to the artist himself and he’ll do the art for you.
For more information, read about what Vincent writes below.

About Ogutu Art

Vincent Ogutu
I am young upcoming artist from Kenya, Nakuru, which deals with mainly contemporary African art. Motivation got from daily life experience in Kenya-East Africa. “I started this blog to get to show my art and to display what Africa can offer in terms of art and to link up with African,Europe and US market”. If you would like to get in contact with me please send me an email on vincecardskenya@gmail.com

Visit Ogutu’s blog at http://ogutuart.blogspot.com/

Peace pact between Samburu-Pokot.

As I was combing through the facebook I came across the updates by the Hon. Maison Leshomo reporting that Samburu and Pokot warriors have signed a peace pact successfully.

Leshomo indicates that there were indications that the two sides who have been fighting each other for ages will respect the treaty.

Conflicts among the two nomadic cousins (Samburu and Pokot)is normally reported as cause by traditions like cattle rustling.

If you look at the issue closely, you’ll realize that the root cause of the conflicts in the NFDs (Kenya Northern frontier districts), is directly related to failure by the Kenyan Kenyan governments to produce constructive policies to improve the livelihood of pastoral communities.It is sad that Kenyans in the north kill themselves when they are already victims of a bad government.

People fight over water, grass, boundaries and other other resources because there are no working policies, no infrastructure, no local authorities who organize order in the area.

The government of Kenya should know that the peace pact between the two ethnic groups may not last as long as droughts seasons are there. I say, God forbid any more chaos and killings in that area and may we live side by side as brothers and sisters that we truly are!

However, we should not be naive..On one side, the the dry season will soon come and  people and animals will engage in the competition for the scars resources.

On the other side, insecurity in the  NFDs have  been as a result of the government neglecting the area. Are we confident that this will change now?

Are we going to see institutions being introduced to the numerous harassment of the populations for example in Samburu East.

We should follow very carefully, to understand better if it just disarmament operations which are going on in Samburu East or the government has other plans for the area.

This part should not be ignored because then, we will be closing the door for solutions to the real insecurity in many parts like Samburu East. I am wondering why no one seem to mention Samburu East here??

Why is Samburu East being kept so silent when we all know what the security forces have been doing since a year ago?

Saidimu Ole Ngais

From Facebook comment section

Hon Maison Leshoomo Just arrived yesterday evening,from ameeting in Longewan which was attended by 480 samburu morans and 370 pokots morans.the morans agreed by thier own to embrace peace,infact the samburus visited thier pokots counterparts in churo market and bought cows from them and vice versa.some samburus spent their nihgts in chu…ro together with their pokot friends.this is the kind of peace we are looking for.

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11 hours ago · Comment · UnlikeLike · View Feedback (29)Hide Feedback (29)

You, Laanyu Lenny and 6 others like this.

Khobocha Galwersi

Congrats mheshimiwa may ur deeds be blessed by Allah!!!!!!! Allah wakba!!!!!!!!!!!!

11 hours ago

Hon Maison Leshoomo

I also atteded the opening of two classrooms at ANG’ATA RONGAI primary. the two classrooms built by S.C.C. were of good stardand.the others built by C.D.F funds were incomplete despite alledged cost of kshs.900,000. please lets stand up and say no to abuse of taxpayers money.

10 hours ago

Steymon Leleruk

Good work Mheshimiwa, i promise you that you have a better chance come 2012, u have all our support especially this areas hit by insecurity, we realize that the sitting MP is out of our reach when we need him most.

10 hours ago

Lemunen David

congrats mheshimiwa we dont want any more death but pokots must cross our boundary and we shall interact in busineses when they are in their place kudos maison is only you no one else in this earth’

9 hours ago

Lengerded Esther Steina

Congrats mheshimiwa ur my role model

8 hours ago

Mary Shiko Kibe

Thats good mheshimiwa cont preaching peace

8 hours ago

Jennifer Sahado

congrants

8 hours ago

Nix Lekorere

ashe oleng mheshimiwa for the good job.mikitamaiyana Enkai e shumata.

7 hours ago

Moses Ldilian Lekuruyo

hon.wondful deeds may u live to mek ths insecurity history.keep it up.

7 hours ago

Mike Rainy

GREAT BLESSINGS TO YOU AND ALL THOSE WHO HAVE
HELPED YOU TURN THE TIDE AGAINST VICTIMS OF NEGLECT AND VIOLENCE IN SAMBURU WEST AND LAIKIPIA AND ESTERN POKOT.

YOU HAVE BLESSINGS FROM ALL US FATERS AND MOTHERS OF MORAN. WITHOUT PEACE NONE OF US OR OR CHILDREN AND THEIR CHILDREN IN KENYA HAVE LIFE EXCEPT LIKE THOSE WHO LIVE ON DEATH ROW.
… See More
BLESSINGS TO ALL TOO IN THE SAMBURU PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION AND THE POKOT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION. AND ALL OF YOUR CLOSE ALLIES WHO HAVE WORKED SO LONG AND HARD AGAINST ALL ODDS AGAINST SELFISH VIOLENCE

BRAVO MHESHIMWA YOU HAVE THE COURAGE LIKE THAT OF THE WHO DAT NEW ORLEANS SAINTS WHO WON THE SUPER BOWL AS YOU AND YOURS WERE
MAKING PEACE.

GOD BLESS YOU . I AM SO PROUD I WANT TO SING YOUR NAME TO HEAVEN!!!!
ASHE OLENG OLENG OLENG!!!!

7 hours ago

Lelegwe Elisha Job

Kudoz mheshimiwa.

6 hours ago

Steve Lemeteki

Lakini mweheshimiwa [POKOT HAWATUENJOI?]

6 hours ago

Emily Sanaipei Lerosion

kama hamuwaenjoy Steve, I don think they are but u should be kin en always wise when it comes to issues like this.

6 hours ago

Leshornai Simon Santana

i like the effort you are putting mheshimiwa keep it up being on the ground reflect require sacrifice keep it up

6 hours ago

Benson Lenanyokie

i pray that this will continue. Glory be to God

5 hours ago

Emily Sanaipei Lerosion

Mheshimiwa, enyewe u’ve tried.u r a woman leader above all men leaders,mikinchoo Enkai nkishon naado piintodol iyoo nywaakinot mara nkidimat.this are all efforts en not possibilities.u also did’nt know all this peace keeping will be possible.GOD BLESS U UBUNDANTLY..

5 hours ago

Richard Lolosoli

Good work Hon Maison.we are welcoming you to samburu East!!we are still fighting with our neighbours ;Boranas,Merus and somalis!we need peace!

4 hours ago

Keen Kaparo

Mikitamayiana Olaitoriani.we r all proud of your effort and u av al our support.kudos Mheshimiwa.

4 hours ago

Tom Lolosoli

This is great. Lack of peace was the issue in the larger Samburu and our surounding neighbours. We av been fighting ourselves 4 so long not knowing we av a lot in common. We shud however know that the problem affecting comes frm the central gov and a need to gang up together and voice our concerns. If the gov doesnt allocate enough resouces to NFDs… See More, our ppl shall continue 2 languish in poverty hence engaging in cattle rustling which is the epicenter of peace problem in pastoral areas. Together we shall rise. Thumbs up Mheshimiwa. Tunakuona na endelea na moyo huo huo. With passion of the development of ur people, u can beat even the professors who would vie for Samburu central seat.

3 hours ago

Silvester Lesokoyo

thanks Hon.but the real sense don’t let them 2 cros tha boundary cause they wil b tempted.

3 hours ago

Simon M. Ole Meeli

Hon. Leshoomo, thank you. This is good and the way to go: All political leaders should make it a goal to enjoin the peace seeking and embracing morans go more concrete steps further into meaningful interaction because without a wide involvement it will amount to naught. Stake holders including all community leadership cadres and the government at… See More … See Morerelevant levels should be in the mix. Resources should be thrown into this worthwhile shot at peace. If needed a memorandum of understanding should be worked out, mapping all necessary must observe points to be mutually and with all honesty abided by and respected. Neighboring pastoralists have far much in common than divide them: Our common agenda will brings us more bread to the table of brotherhood than going it alone in a national scramble for resources that remains loop sided and selfishly manipulated by those that make us fight as we fight like the fools we have come to be assumed as. It must stop and fast. Let us build on that and take a no nonsense approach in dealing with those that make decisions that affect us at the national level not just support parties of whatever hue blindly. @ Tom and all others of goodwill, let us get involved with the Hon. and help move this initiative further.

2 hours ago

Clinton was on 'frenetic pace' before heart procedure

Former President Bill Clinton has led a busy life since leaving office.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Former President Bill Clinton undergoes heart procedure following chest pains
• Spokesman says he’s in good spirits and looking forward to working on Haiti relief efforts
• James Carville, one of Clinton’s friends, said he was exhausted after Haiti trip
• Another friend says Clinton works long days and stays up late

(CNN) — Former President Bill Clinton’s heart troubles come as he was embarking on a busy schedule, recently working on relief efforts for earthquake-ravaged Haiti.

On Thursday, Clinton was hospitalized at the Columbia Campus of New York-Presbyterian Hospital after experiencing chest pain, according to Douglas Band, counselor to the former president. Two stents were placed in one of his coronary arteries. (Follow the news from original source-CNN)

Earthly Face of Magilani (God)

From Ubuntu-face

My Picasa picture program went through my pictures and located all the faces of the people I have photographed. I think this is a very good characteristic in picasa 3 because it rely gives a fantastic over view of all pics stored in the computer.It locates faces and list them in their own category. I like that..
Please see below what I call the face of God on earth.

View all

Get your own

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Saitoti-Ntimama Axis: Why Iam against this Union.

This article is written and sent in by Phillip Wuantai through our very own facebook group, Enkishui E Maa. Kindly follow the link here if you want to join the group.

Men do not assume the role of opposing their own fathers especially in a time as this when the community is at a cross-roads. But in principle I do not agree with Ntimama ( my own father and hero) to attempt to re-engineer and prop up a man whom I equate to a fallen king.

How many times have this fellow declared that it’s his own money and not our vote that has been putting him into parliament and government? Mr Sironka incase you don’t know we the young and educated Maasai have undergone what I call a radical revolution of values.
Through this media we have been doing a lot of mobilization and generating debate on what we need to do to take this community forward. I have never seen nor heard you comment on anything. How comes that you come out so blatantly and with bare knuckle just because this politician is on it again to auction our beloved community.
Ekiyiolo enkeju niata. Nelson Mandela said; I hate black domination as much as I hate white domination. Oyie ketii ilng’ojiniaa loo Maasai laa ele osho ninche edanyita inkoshuaa. Tiaaki metarriki intae. Tiaaki meewa intae ele sina orok limbookito kuna kishu ilarin tomoniuni. Enosa edua.

But who are we supporting in this union? And who is the ultimate beneficiary of this concoction? It’s the same man who when our Samburu brothers’ wealth was being forcefully transferred to the Meru he was the very Minister incharge of the police carrying out that operation; he was in the cabinet that sanctioned the air operation against the Maa in Maai Mahiu; He was the brains behind the Metropolitan and sent the police to teargas our mothers at Isinya at a prayer meeting against the expansion of Nairobi; we were treated as the children of Mau Mau in our own district; During that banana campaign he never cared that the Maasai meant NO at the referendum; Since 2003 to date you guys know that he has been in government – has he given you any jobs because the government of Kenya is employing people in thousands every day? Or you still want to say that the Maa has no papers?
Where was he when our people were being ravaged by drought and a chronic food shortage just recently? Look at his lukewarm and hypocrite stand on the Mau.

I want to believe that Ntimama and John Keen mean very well for this community which they have upheld with God’s help for long. But in this they are either grossly misled or they are doing it for personal convenience purposes. Talking about ‘dirty money’ as was reported in the Standard Newspaper of 11th Feb. 2010, which money is clean between Goldenberg and the maize scandal? Neither!

I speak against this union not in anger but in the sacred love I have for this community. Come home my people and take charge of your communities future for all the Moi’s, Mulu Mutisyas, Nyachaes, Kenyattas & Karumes, Jaramogis, and Muliros of other communities have handed over the button to younger generations and more dynamic leadership. Why are we still grappling with the same old ideas??? I call on the young people of the Maasai who must make a choice today to take a stand on this issue. Hamilton, Sankok and others lets hold a parallel rally at Isinya….we will formulate a very strategic agenda….nemairo tene amu mayieu.

Phillip S. Wuantai

We Are The World 25 For Haiti – Official Video

Recorded on February 1st, 2010, in the same studio as the original 25 years earlier (Henson Recording Studios, formerly A&M Recording Studios) “We Are The World 25 For Haiti”, in which Jones and Richie serve as executive producers and producers, was created in collaboration with executive producers Wyclef Jean, Randy Phillips and Peter Tortorici; producers Humberto Gattica and RedOne; and co-producers Rickey Minor, Mervyn Warren and Patti Austin to benefit the Haitian earthquake relief efforts and the rebuilding of Haiti.

Academy Award-winning writer-director Paul Haggis (Crash, Million Dollar Baby), whose own personal efforts as well as those of Artists for Peace and Justice have already saved countless lives in Haiti, filmed the private recording session to create the accompanying video and behind-the-scenes production, and serves as Film Director and as an Executive Producer with Jones, Richie, Jean, Phillips and Tortorici.

The 25th Anniversary recording features over 80 artists and performers. The recording of We Are The World 25 For Haiti embodied the same enthusiasm, sense of purpose and generosity as the original recording 25 years ago. Every one of the artists who participated, regardless of genre or generation, walked into the room with their hearts and souls completely open to coming together to help the people of Haiti.

Please Cancel Police Disarmament Operations and Institute Community-Based Disarmament Process in Northern Kenya

Promoting the rights, voices, and visions of indigenous peoples

PRESIDENT AND CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Sarah Fuller

VICE CHAIR

Richard A. Grounds

TREASURER

Jeff Wallace

CLERK

Jean Jackson

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Suzanne Benally

Marcus Briggs-Cloud

Elizabeth Cabot

Westy Egmont

Laura Graham

James Howe

Cecilia Lenk

Pia Maybury-Lewis

Les Malezer

P. Ranganath Nayak

Vincent Nmehielle

Ramona L. Peters

Stella Tamang

Martha Claire Tompkins

Roy Young

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Ellen L. Lutz

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Mark Camp

February 11, 2010

Rt. Hon. Mwai Kibaki, CGH, MP, President
Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, EGH, MP, Prime Minister

Republic of Kenya

Re: Please Cancel Police Disarmament Operations and Institute Community-Based Disarmament Process in Northern Kenya

Your Excellencies:

For the past twelve months, Cultural Survival has received reports of widespread and systematic police violence against Samburu communities in Samburu East and Isiolo districts.  Last month we sent a research delegation to investigate those allegations. We recorded testimony from scores of Samburu survivors and witnesses from five villages (Lerata, Laresoro, Naishamunyi, Loruko, and Kiltamany) that were attacked by police during 2009 and January 2010. Our researchers also interviewed respected leaders of local and national NGOs, clergy, health workers, county councilors, the Samburu East Member of Parliament, and staff of the Kenyan National Commission on Human Rights and the Kenyan Human Rights Commission.

Our research reveals a consistent and ongoing pattern of police brutality, human rights violations, and impunity. We appeal to you to correct this situation immediately by withdrawing all police forces and authorizing a community-based disarmament process.

Cultural Survival’s full report (forthcoming) includes many detailed accounts of acts of violence committed by the Administrative Police, the Regular Police, the Anti-Stock Theft Unit, and the General Services Unit. These acts include extra-judicial killings, rapes, beatings, disappearances, theft, arson, and intimidation of unarmed Samburu men, women, and children. As a direct result of these attacks, the Samburu people suffered death, injury, terror, severe economic and property loss, and vulnerability to famine and disease.

For example, witnesses described how police helicopters and ground forces approached the sleeping village of Loruko on November 21, 2009. Ground forces fired their guns and mortars into the bomas, killing a woman as she nursed her infant.

Four villagers were hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds. Police forced women, men and children into an open area outside the village, where they kicked and beat them while other police looted their bomas.

In Lerata on January 10, 2010, some 200 police arrived in lorries and Land Cruisers and started beating women and young boys who were outside tending goats. The police then forced their way into the village where they stole everything of value in the bomas. They attacked nine young warriors and two junior elders, beating five of them unconscious. Injuries included broken bones and knife wounds to the thigh and head. Afterwards, fearing another attack, some villagers took their children to hide in the bush every night, saying, “We would rather take our chances with the wild animals than face the police again.”  (Independently, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that five Lerata women were raped in this police attack and afterward fled the region.)

In Kiltamany on January 12, 2010, similar attacks occurred, with police stealing everything of value, beating elders, and raping three terrified women who now fear infection with HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. The police burned one boma to the ground and set another on fire. Fifteen men and one woman were seriously injured and two were admitted to the clinic in Archers Post.  The police gave no reason for the attack.

All of these attacks happened during a period of so-called amnesty, prior to a disarmament deadline, and they followed months of similar police attacks in the area. In addition, they exacerbated cattle-rustling and inter-ethnic tensions that are already high in the region at a time of very severe drought. In short, police actions are reducing rather than increasing security in the region. The attacks are crimes that have been widely reported by the Samburu East Member of Parliament, human rights organizations, and the press, but no criminal investigations or prosecutions against police officers alleged to have committed them have been initiated.

Now your government has announced that police disarmament operations will begin on February 20.  Having already committed criminal behavior and gross human rights violations, the police forces that have been terrorizing Samburu people are incapable of carrying out effective, impartial, and orderly disarmament operations.  Instead, they should be immediately withdrawn.

The people of Samburu East and Isiolo districts want to participate in a universal, effective, impartial, and lasting disarmament process.  This process should be led by community elders, district peace committees, human rights network members, clergy, and NGOs such as Catholic Justice and Peace Commission and the National Muslim Leadership Forum. Based on our investigation, a community-based cooperative process is the only means by which disarmament can occur peacefully and remain permanent in the region.

In addition, the government should recognize the right of Kenyan citizens to monitor police behavior, and the Minister of Public Administration and Internal Security should take immediate action when human rights violations by police forces are reported.

We implore you to immediately withdraw all national police forces stationed in Samburu East and Isiolo districts and instead work with community leaders to establish a community-based process for disarmament throughout the North.  Based on our investigation, this is the only means to achieve the security and disarmament goals desired by both your government and the local Samburu people.

We respectfully await your reply and prompt action.

Sincerely yours,

Ellen L. Lutz

Executive Director

CC:
Hon. Prof. George Saitoti, MP, Minister of Public Administration and Internal Security

Francis T. Kimemia, CBS, Permanent Secretary of Public Administration and Internal Security

Matthew Kirai Iteere CBS, EBS, OGW, Police Commissioner

Hon. S. Amos Wako, EGH, EBS, CS, MP, Attorney General

Ambassador Michael E. Ranneberger, United States Ambassador to Kenya

Ms. Navanethem Pillay, UN High Commissioner on Human Rights

215 Prospect Street     Cambridge, MA  02139     t:617.441.5400     f:617.441.5417

P.O. Box 7490     Boulder, CO  80306-7490         t:303.444.0306 f:303.449.9794

http://www.cs.org

Open Letter to Survival International. Systematic suppression of Indigenous Samburu

Police brutality and systematic suppression of Indigenous Samburu/Maasai in Kenya.

To Survival International,

Head Office

Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
LONDON
EC1M 7ET
United Kingdom

T +44 (0)207 687 8700
F +44 (0)207 687 8701
info@survivalinternational.org

My names are Saidimu Ole Ngais. I am a Laikipiak Maasai from Kenya.

I am disappointed by the way my country is treating our Samburu people. I have been blogging on the Samburu insecurity at the hands our very own government for the last 4 years.

We must speak out loud against the suppression of Samburu people. Personally,  I blog about our plight because my silence would kill my soul.

Apart from the systematic injustice resulting from marginalization, the Kenyan government have since 2006 (rightfully) disarmed but with brutal force, the Samburu people while heavily arming the neighboring ethnic groups like Somalia, Borana, and Pokot. Many innocent lives have been lost following the Samburu East disarmament.

The imbalance created by providing arms to one ethnic group and taking from the other one, has severally been confirmed by the Prime minister Odinga, in several of his speeches including his last speech at Harvard. Kindly follow the link here. http://www.kenyangospel.com/news/watch-raila-odinga-speech-at-Harvard

So what do we need?

We need your help. As specialist on Indigenous peoples rights, I find it natural that Survival International should be our partner organizations in the endeavor for justice.We ask you to engage the government of Kenya, to conduct rightful disarmament in Samburu and Northern Frontier districts with respect to human life.

Your expertise in the area, and credibility internationally, would uplift our struggle to a higher level because we have been mark-timing for far too long.

Our politicians forget about us the soonest they’re issued with that free ride, fine house in fine Nairobi gardens, and security to protect them day and night.

Most of the men that we elect to represent us,(so far, only men manage to be Mps) have been weak vessels.

They, one after the other accept to be compromised. Many with big dreams to liberate their people, end up retiring as billionaires hence come back as local settlers curving off  pieces of the best community land for themselves.  This lack of representation leaves us without any protection.  The liberation of our people cannot wait any longer. Many lives are lost as a direct result to these injustices. Unfortunately, most our representatives have been cheap and weak.

But we are not.. We are not too weak either, to represent ourselves, speak for our own conscience, neither are wee too lazy to mobilize fellow human beings who care about other people’s rights, as much as they care for their own rights.

We are aware that we have been continuously wronged by all successive regimes ever since independence in 1963. There has never been any will or plan to develop the Maasai/Samburu community of Kenya.

Our greatest obstacle to justice is the lack of proper representation either in the parliament of in mainstream sectors. This is because of non commitment by our government to produce, plan and implement education policies that includes and equally recognizes the nomadic people.

Samburu security issue is very urgent. Many innocent lives are wasted for no apparent reason. The police brutality going on in Samburu East, must be stopped. Kenya can disarm its people without using unnecessary force.

Reports from social media entails that, police are using daggers instead of shooting Samburu’s like they did before, to inflict harm to anybody who says they don’t have a gun at home.Unlike the sound of bullets, the dagger torture system goes unnoticed.

As per the social media updates punishment is being distributed to all regardless of age or gender. Facebookers writes that children cannot smile anymore, they sleep in the bush to avoid dawn attacks.

Our children are slowly suffering a horrifying psychological torture leading them into a world of fear and uncertainty.

As we speak, police disarmament operations are taking place in Samburu East. They are not disarming any other ethnic group apart from Samburu East.

They are said to be generally torturing innocent people by virtual of the belonging to the ethnic group. Reports are coming out though mobile networks though connections are very poor.

A group of human rights activist from America have traveled to at least witness at first hand, what is happening to Samburu people.

Many of us have been working on the grass-root level to sensitize people on their rights, but it’s not enough. We need some more power in our voluntary engine because that is all what we have so far. We know that we must do the spade job ourselves , and so we have been challenged! We are calling Survival international to join our cause.

We need to advocate on basic human rights for the Indigenous Samburu’s in the Northern frontier.

We need to stop the Samburu systematic suppression before it is too late. I am calling upon you to regard the Samburu insecurity issue as an emergency. We must engage the Kenyan authorities the soonest possible.

I will be writing to you more as we are updated.

Kindly look into my request to take up the Samburu East security issue because that Indigenous group has no one else to represent their true plight, than the world citizens who truly care for them.

Thank you very much for any help.

You can reach me at :

http://diasporakenyan.se

dk@diasporakenyan.se

Sweden's top ten tasty buns

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Semla. Photo by Ole Ngais.

Published: 16 Feb 10 10:43 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/25018/20100216/

It’s Fettisdag, Fat Tuesday, the day known in English as Shrovetide, Pancake Tuesday and, er, Mardi Gras. In Sweden, the day is synonymous with the creamy semla, one of many fine buns that make this country great.

If there’s one thing every Swede loves it’s a fika, or coffee break. Back in the day, etiquette demanded that at least seven types of cakes and buns be served with coffee at gatherings in people’s homes. The tradition, which dates back to the nineteenth century, is still very much alive among the granny and grandad generation.

But buns and cakes retain their popularity outside the home too, with everyone from teenage girls to young dads factoring cake and coffee into a day out in town. Even harassed lawyers manage to munch the occasional bun, while in public sector workplaces, the mandatory coffee break is part of the fabric that keeps the bureaucracy together.

But what are the buns of choice in this nation on Europe’s northern edge? Here The Local, with surgical precision, picks out ten of the most mouth-watering creations from the vast pantheon of Swedish cakes and buns.

Semla

Nothing exceeds like excess, and the semla is truly the Keith Richards of the Swedish bun world. Traditionally served on Shrove Tuesday to mark the beginning of the lenten season, the only way this cream-filled calorie bomb could be any less healthy would be if it was dipped in cocaine and served with absinthe. And, like absinthe, a semla makes the heart grow fonder. And more prone to cardiac arrest.

Märtas skurna chokladkakor – Märta’s Cut Chocolate Cookies

Märta’s Cut Chocolate Cookies are a perennial favourite from the Swedish Cakes and Cookies (‘Sju sorters kakor’) cookbook, of which every Swedish family owns at least three copies. The book first came out in 1945 and there are riots on the streets of Sweden every time a new edition is published.

Lussebullar – Santa Lucia Buns

In the weeks before Christmas a darkness descends that seems like it may never lift. Sweden is aglow with candlelight of both the natural and electric variety. Everywhere you look, people are ramming these swirly buns into their faces. And if you like a bit of saffron and raisin, you too will soon be masticating wildly.

Dammsugare – Vacuum Cleaner

I know: let’s get a roll of green marzipan, lace it with punch, dip it in chocolate at both ends, and call it a vacuum cleaner. It all makes total sense. Delicious.

Biskvi – Bisque

Though of French origin, Sweden has very much taken the bisque to heart. This buttercream and chocolate-topped almond UFO has become as Swedish as the kebab pizza and is often served with rose hip soup (‘nyponsoppa’).

Dajmtårta – Daim Tart

Swedish chocolate maker Marabou struck international gold when it began cooking up batches of Dajm bars in the 1950s. These crunchy butter almond treats used to be called Dime bars in the UK and Ireland, but now they’re known as Daims thanks to the whims of some cucumber straighteners with too much time on their hands.

If you’ve never seen a Daim, a UK ad from the 90s described it as being the opposite of an armadillo, which is reasonably accurate. Anyway, not everybody is content just to munch on a Daim straight from the wrapper. Some people are so enamoured of Daims that they break them up and sprinkle them on chocolate cakes, which is pure lunacy. But it’s also very, very tasty.

Radiokaka – Radio Cake

The Wikipedia entry on Radio Cakes says they are so called because they date back to the early days of the broadcasting medium and were soft enough not to disturb the listening experience. It’s a nice idea but everybody else says they got their name because they look like old-fashioned transistor radios. But they certainly don’t taste like radios. They taste like layers of crumbled Marietta biscuits buried inside chocolate cake, and that’s exactly what they are.

Ostkaka – Swedish Cheesecake

One of the most duplicitous cakes on the shelf, the Swedish cheesecake bears little resemblance to its international cheesecake cousins. When words like rennet and casein crop up in the baking process, you know you’re dealing with a deviant variety. So be careful what you ask for in cake shops. If you want cheesecake with a biscuit base, order cheesecake in English. If you want the warm, soft Swedish version, often served with cloudberrry jam, then your best bet is to ask for ostkaka. The Friends of Ostkaka society celebrates the cake’s existence every November 14th. The society’s governing board is made up of a number of county governers, all of whom are probably quite mad.

Kanelbulle – Cinammon Bun

Swedes love their cinammon. You’ll find it in your semla, for example, at the top of your café latte and, if you’re not careful, as a mild irritant in your trousers. But mainly you’ll find it in its natural home: the ubiquitous cinammon bun.

Kladdkaka – Sticky Cake

A kladdkaka is like a big round brownie topped with lashings of cream. Doctors secretly love it because it brings them new business.

Prinsesstårta – Princess Cake

The princess cake is one of those classics you’ll find in every old-fashioned konditori. It serves as a reminder that even in those sepia-tinged days of the 1950s, when Sweden was at its most optimistic, people ate huge dome-shaped cream cakes that looked like they were cooked in a nuclear power plant.

Paul O’Mahony (paul.omahony@thelocal.se/08 656 6513)

Are you still a Maasai? So they ask..

..but you are not a Maasai anymore, or.. do you live like a Maasai? .. so do you live like them when you go back home?
So many questions of this type and I still don’t blame those who question because times are changing and we have always protected our way of life, our identity despite being called names like primitive, backward people. Some traditions in our culture must be eliminated but not our good way of life!
To my friends, who care to ask if am still a Maasai.. The answer, is, YES. I can never be anything else if I am not a Maasai to begin with! Years in Diaspora, away from my original home does not make me less who I was born as.
My contact with other global cultures, only add more content in my identity rucksack that I carry with my wherever go!

The path I take does not define who I am, but the  collection I gather a long my path that when added together says who I am.

I would never be a Kenyan, if I hypocritically ignored being that, that I am.. I am who I am.. A Maasai man from Kenya. It is from those humble grounds that I gain tittles like: A Kenyan! (A Kenyan Maasai) A Maasai Kenyan Swede, indeed, A Maasai indigenous man with both original and refined content in his rucksack. I can not imagine shying away from my roots but I also can not be static.

To my brethren who shy away from being themselves due to a falsehood of a better identity in a another man’s culture perceived to be civilized, I say unto ya,  Be thyself! Be proud of your roots and cherish stem, the fruits leaves and all flowers of your life’s tree. Similarly, in the endeavor to be a better human beings(?), does that mean we drop all that belonged to our fore-fathers, the knowledge of who we? Shall we eradicate all that which was transferred from our ancestors unto us?
Therefore with those question I ask you my brother and sister, if the strive to become a better human, leads us into being elites of of society? And what is in this elite word that makes me wonder why so many of us so much advocate for it ? Do you also dislike the word ELITE?
This is a portion of some good information I came a cross written by Waters.
If you should go skating On the thin ice of modern life Dragging on behind you the silent reproach Of a million tear stained eyes Don’t be surprised, when a crack in the ice Appears under your feet You slip out of your depth and out of your mind With your fear flowing out behind you As you claw the thin ice (Waters)

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Massive earthquake, aftershocks rattle Chile; tsunami warning issued

February 27, 2010 6:00 a.m. EST
(CNN) — A massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Chile early Saturday, producing powerful aftershocks and triggering a tsunami.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/27/chile.quake/index.html?hpt=T1

The epicenter of the earthquake was located off the coast in Maule, near the city of Concepcion, 212 miles (341 kilometers) from the capital of Santiago. The quake struck at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET).

At least 47 people have been confirmed dead, according to government officials, with the death toll expected to rise.

Concepcion is Chile’s second largest city with a population of 200,000. There are reports of collapsed buildings in Santiago. The quake was felt in several Chilean towns and in parts of Argentina as well. Some buildings in Buenos Aires were evacuated.

‘I lost count after 25 aftershocks!’

“This is a major event. This happened near some very populated areas,” said Randy Baldwin, a geophysicist with USGS. “With an 8.8, you expect damage to the population in the area.”

Check out the world’s biggest earthquakes since 1900
Video: Chile jolted by quake
Video: 8.8 quake hits Chile
RELATED TOPICS

• Chile
• Earthquakes
• U.S. Geological Survey

Numerous aftershocks, including one that measured 6.9 magnitude, were felt within hours of the initial quake, USGS said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning, the highest level of a tsunami alert, for the entire coast of Chile and Peru. A tsunami watch was in effect for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica. Hawaii was placed under a tsunami advisory.

“An earthquake of this size has the potential to generate a destructive tsunami that can strike coastlines near the epicenter within minutes and more distant coastlines within hours,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.

USGS geophysicist Vicro Sardina said several tsunami waves had made landfall along the Chilean coast; the largest was recorded at 9 feet and came ashore near the quake’s epicenter. The earliest estimated arrival for a wave that could affect Hawaii was 11:19 a.m. local time (5:19 p.m. ET).

Electricity and basic services, including water and telephones, are out in the capital of Santiago. The ceiling of a parking lot in the Las Condes neighborhood came crashing down, pinning at least 50 cars underneath.

‘You could feel the walls moving’ Video

Santiago resident Leo Perioto jumped out of his bed in his apartment at the top of a six-story building.

“The whole building was shaking,” he said. “The windows were wobbling a lot. We could feel the walls moving from side to side.”

iReport.com: Did you feel it? Share information, images with CNN

Alessandro Perez, who is staying at the Santiago Marriott Hotel, reported shattered windows, but there was no structural damage. No one at the hotel was injured, he said.

Anita Herrera, who works at the Hotel Kennedy in Santiago, said electricity was knocked out at that hotel and guests were nervous.

“Our hotel is built for this,” she said. “In Chile, this happens many times.”

Officials hoped to learn more about the devastation in the morning.

Chile holds the record for the largest earthquake in the world, according to the USGS. A magnitude 9.5 quake struck the South American country in May 1960 and killed 1,655 people.

Stay tuned to CNN.com for more details to this developing story.
Lifted from CNN by Diasporakenyan.

My friends from Chile and other earthquake affected areas.

I would like to pass my prayers to all my friends from Chile, Peru all other

places currently facing the devastation by the 8.8 Earthquake. I pray that your families and countrymen will emerge safe from the Quake and forthcoming Tsunami. My family and I stand by your side as we follow the news flow from the news rooms. Stay strong and pray to your (God) to keep our people.

We are still nursing the wounds from the devastating Haiti 7.0 Quake and now the plates on the Chilean coast are compressing to release the approaching Tsunami. We hope that people can be evacuated in time.

Haiti 7.0 Quake.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY MARCH 8

Message from Naini Meriwas.

I wish in advance to all the women a happy women’s day!
And men, don’t forget to give them a special treat that very day. Remember you would not be on this earth without them!

Cheers,
Meriwas,

Media Statement

Statement by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay

International Women’s Day
8 March 2010

Domestic violence and killing in the name of “honour”

GENEVA – “It has been estimated that as many as one in three women across the world has been beaten, raped or otherwise abused during the course of her lifetime. And the most common source of such violence comes from within the family. Amongst the most extreme forms of abuse is what is known as ‘honour killing.’

“Most of the 5,000 honour killings reported to take place every year around the world do not make the news, nor do the other myriad forms of violence inflicted on women and girls by husbands, fathers, sons, brothers, uncles and other male – and sometimes even female – family members.

“In the name of preserving family ‘honour,’ women and girls are shot, stoned, burned, buried alive, strangled, smothered and knifed to death with horrifying regularity.

“The reasons for these murders vary. They may be committed because the victim is considered to have breached family or community norms with respect to sexual conduct, or simply because a woman has expressed a desire to pick a husband of her own choice, or wishes to divorce or claim inheritance. Most perversely, rape victims are sometimes viewed as having ‘dishonored’ their families and are killed by them as a means of erasing the stigma, while the men who raped them often escape lightly.

“The problem is exacerbated by the fact that in a number of countries domestic legal systems, including through discriminatory laws, still fully or partially exempt individuals guilty of honor killings from punishment. Perpetrators may even be treated with admiration and given special status within their communities.

“Honour killings are, however, not something that can be simply brushed aside as some bizarre and retrograde atrocity that happens somewhere else. They are an extreme symptom of discrimination against women, which – including other forms of domestic violence – is a plague that affects every country.

“For many women and girls, the family life that is supposed to be productive, protective and harmonious is little more than a myth. Instead, for such females, family life means physical, sexual, emotional or economic violence at the hands of an intimate partner or other family members. Domestic violence typically involves punches, kicks and slaps, or assaults with objects or weapons. It also frequently involves persistent belittlement and humiliation, and often includes the isolation of women from traditional supporters such as other family members and friends. Sometimes it may involve forced participation in degrading sexual acts, rape and homicide. Some women, who resist an arranged marriage, are locked up by their families for long periods until their will is broken and they agree to marry the man who has been chosen for them.

“It is often argued that economic independence and empowerment of women in general are the best way to combat domestic violence – and rightly so. The main reason cited by women for not leaving abusive relationships remains the lack of financial autonomy and access to a safe home.

“However, too much reliance on these solutions disguises the depth and complexity of the problem: domestic violence has also been on the rise in countries where women have achieved a considerable degree of economic independence. Successful business-women, and female parliamentarians, lawyers, doctors, journalists and academics have all been known to lead double-lives – applauded in public and abused in private.

“The reality for most victims, including victims of honor killings, is that state institutions fail them and that most perpetrators of domestic violence can rely on a culture of impunity for the acts they commit – acts which would often be considered as crimes, and be punished as such, if they were committed against strangers.

“Traditionally, there has been some debate around the issue of state responsibility for acts committed in the private sphere. Some have argued, and continue to argue, that family violence is placed outside the conceptual framework of international human rights. However, under international laws and standards, there is a clear State responsibility to uphold women’s rights and ensure freedom from discrimination, which includes the responsibility to prevent, protect and provide redress – regardless of sex, and regardless of a person’s status in the family.”

ENDS

Learn more about the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay:http://www.ohchr.org/EN/AboutUs/Pages/HighCommissioner.aspx

Click here to visit OHCHR website: http://www.ohchr.org

See the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/cedaw.htm

Laikipia North Constituency in the Making

Laikipia District Photo Credit (Laikipia Elephant Project)

The Laikipia North Constituency is in the making. Reports from the just concluded meeting Nanyuki says that mandate has been granted to make a constituency. We are very much exited to get more updates from the meeting. Please let us know where the boundaries goes and what the people are saying about the boundaries. You are invited to make your comments here.
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MY DAUGHTER SHALL NOT BE CUT

No! My daughter shall not be cut!

Floods in Samburu

I would like to send my condolences to the affected people in Samburu following the on-going floods.
The area MP should engage the government to invest in policies that improve the livelihood of the Nomadic people. There should be emergency units in place to save lives.

Cooperate eradicate FGM

We want to facilitate the formation of Pokot Men Against FGM, Kisii Men Against FGM, We are Maasai Men Against FGM! Please join us in eradicating FGM. We respect our culture but it is not necessary to respect anybody who is advocating for FGM. FGM has never been part of identity, it is part of our bad way of exercising power on our own sisters. We now say stop. We do this with maximum respect to our culture. We are not inviting any haters or any reason to be intimidated. . We are accepting a change that has come from within. This is not foreign change! Its our change!

Al-shabab controlling Khat production in Kenya

Photo credit. DN.se

Miraa chewing, addiction and social-economical and security issues elaborated in leading  Swedish Daily Newspaper, Sunday 7thh 2010. Read the Swedish paper in Swedish here. You can make a rough translation on google language tools. According to the paper, Miraa chewers are directly supporting Al-shabab economically.

Al-shabab is a Somalian based perceived terrorist group which might be  infiltrating the Kenyan porous boundaries. It has a very high interest on Miraa business currently controlling a greater percentage of production in Meru and other emerging farm areas.

Miraa is and should be regarded as  a security issue in the region which is(might) simply be ignored due to the economical impact and viability in the country.In my opinion, Kenya is silently sleeping into a security dilemma that may not be possible to control in the near future. The enormous amount of dollars generated from Miraa might be empowering dangerous groups which might be find it lucrative to operate in Kenya.

It is surprising that the government of Kenya has not yet banned the Miraa farming. The Kenya government ought to face reality before it’s too late.

Apart from being a danger for the countries overall security, Miraa has an alarming negative effect on individuals social behaviour.

Many families in Kenya have been torn apart(also here in Swede-Rinkeby) as a result of one or both members  being addicted to Miraa.

In Mukogodo(Laikipia North), Miraa is silently taking over the uprising townships with scaring speed. Almost 90% of school leavers fall into the khat pit. Some even use the drug while they are still in school as a stimulant during their studies.

If you study the Miraa chewers 2010 KCSE final results,, you will realize that most of them scored below their usual average marks while somber kids excelled. Very bright children who ends up being Miraa addicts while still studying,  graduates with disastrous marks.They are too tired at the time they are examined after days of constant chewing and sleepless nights  in preparation for exams.

After graduation, majority of the chewers continue to mesmerize themselves with the tranquility of the pacifying leaves while the non chewers trouble their minds in the conquest to free themselves from the chains of poverty.

Miraa. Photo credit. DN.se

This is a waste of human resources not only for the individual, but also for the entire country.

On the social front, these  chewers develops a careless characteristic that follows them as they degenerate away into an isolated island of drugs and supra-fantasy unimaginable to non-chewers. The drug creates severe selfishness and passiveness that becomes unbeatable throughout addiction period.

For me, I think it is wise to remember that, the more you chew the more you risk the security of your nation and your own health.

Are you recruiting chewers? You might find yourself in “anti terror” surveillance list as a potential Alshabab sympathizer and  economical supporters.

On top of that, you might be slowly loosing credibility as no normal person or organization want to be associated with drug using entities.

My sincere request is that the government must take up legal arms against Miraa farming. It must orientate Miraa farmers to non drug crops and ban Miraa merchandise in the streets.  Right now, Miraa has taken over the uprising Il-polei township. It came in 1990 when a shop keeper started selling in small amount.

In 1999, a group of Meru Miraa retailers moved from Dol-dol township to Il-polei. They retailers started importing MIraa directly from Meru. Today, majority of the former majestic warriors have been turned into Miraa addicts.  If I had power, I would ban Miraa selling in Il-polei to begin with.

Question to you; Do you think Miraa (Khat) chewers are economically supporters of the terror listed Al-Shabab group in Somalia? If so, is the Kenyan national security jeopardized by Miraa farming and use?

Should the government of Kenya ban MIraa selling in towns?

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

(In 2004, the writer refused to rent his 6 semi-permanent business premises in Ilpolei to  Miraa barons. However, his actions did not stop a Miraa tree bulging out of the grounds from which he banned the drug! Irony all over…)

The Future of Laikipia

The future of our society is in our children. Do you have funds for projects like democracy? equality? gender? Indigenous people’s rights? We need your help. A number of bright Secondary school leaver’s from Laikipia and Samburu just received their good results and most of them will never see the doors of University due to luck of funds.

For more information, read more at http://diasporakenyan.se

Fair trade tourism and Indigenous people

Fair trade tourism and Indigenous people
From: diasporakenyan | March 16, 2010 | 1 views
While you travel to the indigenous

It would be fair if all travelers who visit the indigenous people observes a few natural regulations as a measure to maintain respect between the visitor and the indigenous people. This blogger is a Maasai from Kenya therefore he has the mandate to speak on his behalf.

Tourism should be beneficial to both the indigenous people and their nations.

Unfortunately, indigenous people becomes objectified not only by their states, but also by the irresponsible tourist. This must stop. The indigenous people are asking you to respect them as human beings and extend the appreciation of being able to share that moment with them on equal terms.

We do not demand more that what we are entitled to by the law of nature, equal respect and acknowledgment. When you visit us, show to the world that you care and you respect us because we always do our best to respect our visitors.

We welcome you to come and share your culture with us, and we ask you to live us as we are. We are working feverishly to acquire our homegrown change that we deem is essential for our existence. We thank you for your cooperation.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Fair trade tourism (Excerpt)

It would be fair if all travelers who visit the indigenous people observes a few natural regulations as a measure to maintain respect between the visitor and the indigenous people. This blogger is a Maasai from Kenya therefore he has the mandate to speak on his behalf.

Tourism should be beneficial to both the indigenous people and their nations.

Unfortunately, indigenous people becomes objectified not only by their states, but also by the irresponsible tourist. This must stop. The indigenous people are asking you to respect them as human beings and extend the appreciation of being able to share that moment with them on equal terms.

We do not demand more that what we are entitled to by the law of nature, equal respect and acknowledgment. When you visit us, show to the world that you care and you respect us because we always do our best to respect our visitors.

We welcome you to come and share your culture with us, and we ask you to live us as we are. We are working feverishly to acquire our homegrown change that we deem is essential for our existence. We thank you for your cooperation.

Samburu East District Peace Commission

Congratulations to J.M. Lalampaa Chairman, Samburu East Peace Committee and his team of peace committee members who have worked tirelessly to help stabilize the District. Their work, complimented by the advocacy of others, such as Cultural Survival, and Hon Raphael Letimelo’s admirable dedication to his constituency, have helped re-stabilize the region and restore peace. Thank you for all the continuing efforts to fight for the rights of the Samburu so they can resume their lives in peace.

District Peace Commission
Samburu East District
PO Box 2
Wamba,
Feb 19th, 2010

The Hon. George Saitoti, E.G.H., M.P.
Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Security

Dear Sir:

Re: Memorandum

Introduction:

It gives me great pleasure on my own behalf, the Peace Committee, and the People of Samburu, to welcome you and your team to Samburu District. The issues presented here below are a reflection of wide consultations and concerns of many stakeholders. Mr. Minister, sir, we have serious and pressing issues in the area –particularly in the area of peace and security.

If I can give a quick introduction, Mr. Minister, my committee was constituted in May 2008 and has over the last few years has worked sop hard on the areas of peace-building and information exchange. We are therefore glad to present you, Mr. Minister, issues and concerns that we feel will go a long way in strengthening peace-building and security in Samburu East.

Key Issues

• Blanket Punishment

We want to express our displeasure on the tendency to punish the entire community on crimes that may have been committed by a few individuals from such communities. A good example here is what happened here in February 2009 when thousands of cattle were rounded off in the name of ‘recovering stolen cattle’ from Meru. Worse off, excessive military force was used on innocent civilians.

Mr. Minister, we would like at this juncture to appeal to you and the Government to help innocent people who lost their one and only source of livelihood – animals taken by the security forces. Mr. Minister Sir, we want to appeal for your assistance in the recovery (or compensation) of 4,115 cows forcefully taken away from innocent people in Lerata and the adjacent areas.

• Laxity on the Provincial Administration

We feel that there is a need for the security agents to do more to combating cattle rustling.
While we assure everyone of our commitment in assisting the security agents to deal firmly with the menace, we strongly feel that our initiatives must be complemented. We have in most cases worked hard (as a community) to return stolen animals that may have crossed our district, but that gesture has rarely been reciprocated by our neighbors. For example, on 30th June 2009 our animals were stolen at Koom area and 3 people killed but up to now, not much has been done to track the assailants or recover the stolen animals. In February some animals were also stolen not far from Archers Post centre and two children abducted. These children are still missing and we don’t see much effort in tracing them.

• Ill Equipped Police Reservists (KPRs) and Police

Most of the KPRs from Samburu East are armed with old 303s and there are allegations that they are hardly ever supplies with bullets. This makes community policing a very difficult thing. The Police in Samburu East have an old Land Rover that may not be very dependable in an insecurity-prone area like ours. Mr. Minister Sir, it is our strong feeling that an OCPD be posted to Samburu East and Samburu North as soon as practically possible.

As of now Mr. Minister, the Police Force and the larger Samburu requires not only modern but also adequate equipment in order to discharge their duties effectively.

• Unemployment and Rampant Poverty

We feel there is a need to put in place specific policy framework to address rampant poverty and unemployment that is very common in much of the Pastoralist areas. This initiative will go a long way to in ‘fishing’ young people and potential wrong doers out of the wrong path. We propose Mr. Minister that the Government puts in place an affirmative action plan that will give our youth access to Tertiary and Institutions of Higher Learning, Youth Service, and Military Service among others.

• Disarmament and thereafter.

Mr. Minister, we want to thank you and the Government for giving our people the option of voluntarily returning illegally acquired arms. Mr. Minister, as you may already be aware, Samburu East has fully cooperated and has sp far turned in more than 180 guns and several rounds of ammunition. Mr. Minister, we want to assure you and the Government of our firm commitment to fully cooperate with the Government in ridding this area of all illegal arms. Having assured you, Mr. Minister, of our full support of this exercise, I now want to call upon the Government to protect the people from disgruntled elements outside the District who may take advantage of the situation to attack.

• Other Government Ministries

Mr. Minister, we want to thank the Government for bringing services closer to the people of Samburu East by creating a new District. We however would like to bring to your attention, Mr. Minister, the fact that many Ministries are yet to actualize their presence here. We particularly want to request the Government to speed up the posting of the following officers:

Registrar of Persons
Procurement Officer
Children’s Officer
Medical Officer of Health
Public Works Officer

Mr. Minister, we would also like to request the Government to facilitate the completion of the construction of the District Headquarters.

Recommendations

• The Government must go after those that break the law and communal punishment must cease forthwith.
• Key Government officials – especially those charged with maintaining law and order – must be monitored and those that fail in their duties should be removed.
• The Police Officers for Samburu should be facilitated and supplied with the tools and equipment necessary for the efficient discharge of their duties. KPRs should also be given modern guns and a pre-determined number of bullets assigned and maintained at all times.
• We request to post an OCPD to Wamba, and upgrade the Wamba Police Division as soon as possible.

Thank you very much

J.M. Lalampaa
Chairman,
Samburu East Peace Committee

The best way to eradicate FGM

Added by Saidimu Ole Ngais (videos)

2:31

Which is the best way to eradicate FGM in Maasailand?
Kindly continue with recruitment to ensure that we keep the spirit high and practically eradicate FGM and all its related discriminatory traditions.

Police Attacks on Samburu Cease After Cultural Survival Visit

Tina Ramme

Friends, read below what the power of solidarity can do when unleashed appropriately and with honesty for true justice. Cultural survival and many ordinary human rights local and international activists, worked tirelessly to discourage and indeed stop the Kenyan government from attacking the Samburu people. I take this opportunity to thank the Cultural survival, Tina Ramme (Samburu woman) and her human rights team, area MP Letimalo and all the peace committees for their contribution to the peace we’re now enjoyed in Samburu East. All those letters were not in vain.
I also want to encourage the survival international to be on the watch about the Samburu issue because the root cause of the problem is not yet resolved. We ensure to continue our human rights activities as a measure to promote justice in the area. Once again, thank you so much for your contribution. Justice will always prevail. Aluta Continua!
Read below what the Cultural survival article reads.
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Police Attacks on Samburu Cease After Cultural Survival Visit

• Country:

• Kenya

• Issues:

• Human Rights

Date: 03/17/2010

The Samburu people of Kenya have suffered no more police attacks on their villages since Cultural Survival’s visit there in January. While Samburu people remain fearful that the police may resume their assaults, they credit Cultural Survival’s visit and advocacy for the current respite.

Hon. Raphael Letimalo, Samburu East Member of Parliament, wrote:

“I appreciate the good work your Organization is doing to highlight the atrocities the Kenyan authorities is doing to the people of Samburu. Indeed the police have stopped harassing locals following your letter of protest and other friends of Samburu. Thank you so much once more.”

Jane Naini Meriwas, Project Coordinator of the Samburu Women for Education & Environment Development Organization, wrote:

“Greetings and thanks for the good work which has enabled the Kenya government to stop human rights violation in Samburu and created a space for dialogue both by the Kenyan authorities and the affected communities.”

In January, a Cultural Survival delegation to Samburu East and Isiolo districts conducted in-depth interviews with Samburu victims and witnesses of police attacks in five Samburu villages between February 2009 and January 2010. The team found that hundreds of Samburu women, children, elders and men suffered extra-judicial killings, rape, beatings, theft, arson and intimidation at the hands of police forces. The police attacks were carried out in the context of a government disarmament program. Police forces brutalized Samburu people at random, punishing entire communities. The attacks terrorized the Samburu, impoverished them, and rendered them vulnerable to famine and disease when they were already suffering through a severe drought.

In February, Cultural Survival called on the Kenyan government to withdraw the police forces, authorize community elders to carry out a voluntary disarmament program, and investigate and prosecute police human rights violations against the Samburu people. See Cultural Survival’s letter to Kenyan authorities HERE.

Cultural Survival’s full report will be released in late March.

Kenya:To Minister of water and irrigation Kaluki Ngilu

Credit. http://www.water.go.ke

Aldana people are sick most of the time because of drinking directly from the unsafe water from the Ngare Ngiro river. The community don’t have any alternative so they drink from the dangerous water. Should the community petition the local government to provide safe drinking water fro them? Should a percentage of the community development funds be specifically allocated to provide safe water for all?

Saidimu Ole Ngais

Aldana people suffering from preventable waterbone diseases.
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When we were Mbarnot!

I am not sure why this thought came into my mind just right now when am supposed to be busy with something else. I couldn’t ignore it so let me put it into writing..

… I quietly laughed inside and indeed, I could visualize a troop of newly initiated Maasai warriors (Mbarnot) who are dedicated to their survival, despite strict food taboo. Maasai warriors are not traditionally allowed to eat food stuff in public and essentially not anything fatty or crop base prepared by women. Warriors don’t eat Ugali, but in the nightly hours when women who secretly prepared it sit in their huts around the kitchen fire cleaning milking quads  (for those who have any cows left). (Ugali is maize floor mixed with boiled water like porridge but thicker)

The women deliberately ignore the roaring noise behind the hut as warriors struggle around Ugali pot punching into their hungry throats clumps of the maize floor as they quickly swap it in with some drops of now rare commodity, milk!

A society that is known to eat meat as their staple food, milk as water and blood as a special ceremonial meal can barely anymore feed itself. The reality is cruel and so the society cannot anymore, hide in pretense, behind the sentiments of a gone past.

I think it is high time we break so many of our unnecessary taboos. I can visualize the whole picture, I can get the smell of old cow dung plastered all over around the hut. The double feelings of  brotherhood and selfishness of a group bound by common interest and individual demands for survival. The sentiments shared unanimously as the group is simultaneously disintegrated as each individual longs with all sanity for that better life. The pot is emptied hastily as women signal to themselves how proud they are that they keep their son’s stomach full even in times of great hunger and drought.

Mothers and sisters knows it all, that food taboo in such hard times is a stupid idea the reason why they all cook and even add extra fat and Oil(shh-discretely) to their sons Ugali. They keep it hiden in the fence minutes before the majestic star spears(lakira mpere) arrives. They know this because warriors roar at the entrance to send a signal to all, that they are home. They roar….:) hiip mmmee…

Siruai seenke… Olenshiliy odokue omej enkima.. kiti..

(The writer of the article has been in the situation above and his mother was one of the mothers who campaigned for the warriors to drop the food taboo. His father invented a brilliant idea, to give his sons the right to eat from Mama’s kitchen the soonest possible. He  allowed them to undergo a right of passage normally done years after one is circumcised. (The milk and meat rite after circumcision) His father, (Esirondo) realized the danger that was engulfing the newly initiated warriors. He shortened the process of suffering  by reforming the milk and meat rite. That way, newly initiated warriors can now enjoy mamas cooking oil and Ugali with ease. They no longer have to compete with others outside their mamas huts in the wee hours, counting how many spoons of the rare stuff the opponent has swallowed…

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Imaginary laws that craft gender roles

Ngais o Nkurikuri. Photo Credit Dylan O. Ngais.

Below is a picture of Ngais o Nkurikuri(Nkurikuri=toddlers). Parents like to toddler their young ones even at the age of whatever as long as the parent is a live. This is one great part of social life that is enjoyed by all unconditionally. It’s a great feeling to know that one is always a toddler to their parent. Parent can show love to their young ones in different ways. In some cultures, parents don’t really physically interact with their children. Their love is shared within an imaginary and orally defined distance. Others share the opportunity of closeness and body contact with kisses and hugs with fathers and mothers playing equal roles in children upbringing.
Among the Maasai, girl-children are discouraged to stay or sleep in the same hut/room/house as their fathers.  Fathers most likely move out and reside in a (Oripie), a little hut specifically made for the father. It’s meant a s a good gesture that fathers move out to give room for the children.

Among our people, young ones greet their elders by bowing their heads for the elder to anoint them by touch. Elders touch the head of the uncircumcised young ones  as a symbol of greetings and  submissiveness with honor. Unlike the girl-child, boys stop bowing to elders as soon as they are circumcised and set in a specific age group. Girls/women are said to have no specific age group but that of their husbands. Boys maintain their age group even when they marry a woman older or younger than them. Gender roles are crafted to promote girl-child submissiveness even after they have been initiated to the adulthood.

What is your take on Maa gender roles and children upbringing? Should Maa fathers have more physical contact with their children and a balanced role on child-care? How should the idea of  Oripei be tackled?

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Ngais o Nkurikuri

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Murder in Lerata

Kenya administration police murdered young boys in Lerata in Samburu East! According to the report by KTN featured on the clip below, the admin police pulled out the Samburu residence and killed them in cold blood.
The Samburu Killings by the administration police under the surveillance of the Kenyan government is unbearable. My heart aches and am utterly disappointed! The Lerata residence are asking the same question we are all asking; Is the Kenyan administration police there to protect us or finish us all? Has Kenya become a police state? We cannot tolerate this anymore. I personally feel very violated when I watch the clip below, don’t you? Let us now stand up as Kenyans and rebuke this government!
Let us now raise our voices once again and with one accord demand an honorable redress from the president and the Prime Minister. We shall have failed as human beings if we silently let this killing pass by as we wait for the next to happen. The ministry of internal security seems not to be capable of the job it is designed to do.
We have been writing letters to all authorities in Kenya and internationally and yet, Lerata people are still butchered by the very government forces that is supposed to protect them. What right do they have to commit such atrocities against one people?
It is now proving to be unrealistic to demand of any morals upon an immoral system. I have no any better explanation to convince my conscience that these atrocities against the Lerata people are not systematically planned. They poison them, they chop them with daggers to avoid bullet sounds that may raises the attention of the human rights agents in the area.
What is is that is in Lerata that the regime wants?

Advocacy with Kenya red alliance in Stockholm.

Murder in Lerata part 2. Advocacy with Kenya red alliance in Stockholm.Concerning the murder by the administration Police in Lerata.

Message to Letimalo on Lerata Murder

I would like to let the area MP for Samburu east Letimalo, know that Diasporakenyan is fully on his side in his struggle to catch the attention of the government on atrocities committed against his people by the administration police. Diasporakenyan will soon meet the Kenya Red Alliance in Stockholm to organize an advocacy campaign about the Lerata killing at the Kenyan embassy in stockholm. This blogger have been in contact with the Chairperson for the (KRA) and more details will be available as soon as possible. I am happy for the support the Chairperson KRA Mr. Ngatia is showing on this issue. Mr. Ngatia is equally moved as we are by the murder in Lerata. He called me immediately after seeing the news from KTN, asking that we should step up the campaign for the Samburu east people. We cannot condone such barbaric behavior by the force that is supposed to protect us.
Saidimu Ole Ngais
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kenya: Let pass the Constitution

Because we have waited for many years, and due to the long time it takes to make any little amendment. it is wise to let the Constitution be passed and signed to law as soon as possible. I agree with Odinga and all those who asks the paper to be signed into law. Kenya was not build with a single block, we will need a lot of stones and cement to build a strong foundation for our Constitution. Many amendments will be made later. I want my Constitution now. I don’t want it to cost me a single dime anymore before it is signed to law. I am ready to pay for as many justified ammendments as required later.

Preparing for Laikipia North Constituency Part 2

While we prepare for our forth coming Constituency Laikipia north, there are things we must dare speak and reason around. We must be able to settle our issues so that we are prepared when that time comes. We are asking for the concerned authorities to quicken up things so as to honor the Laikipiak marginalized community with a constituency of their own. That is the only way we will ever be liberated from occupying a paramagnet minority position. One question we must ask ourselves is, Who is going to be our next area Member of parliament?
Some names have been forwarded and we expect to receive more if any one of you is interested to vie for that significant seat. We need a hard working servant, a one who calls their electorates for Waheshimiwa! (the honorable ones)
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Preparing for Laikipia North Constituency part 1

Part of the While we are preparing for the Laikipia North Constituency.

The Shepherd's Place part 1

The Shepherd’s foundation, a second hand shop and eating place started by Pastor Samson. To visit the place, take the tube to Västertorp station and look for Isgäd 9 and locate number 64. For more information kindly contact Pastor Samson.

Poll. Area Member of Parliament Laikipia North Constituency

Preparation for Laikipia North Constituency.
Kenya-Regional autonomy.
While we are waiting the inauguration of the Laikipia North Constituency (in the making), we prepare ourselves to elect an accountable servant with the people at heart. We refuse to be cheated again. Laikipia North have been ignored by all successive regimes ever since independence. It is time to elect a responsible servant.
Who will be your Laikipia North Constituency Area Member of Parliament?

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Following the death of Jared’s father

From Jared Odero lost his father

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Jared Odero lost his father

I would like to send a message of condolences to brother Jared Odero for the loss of his father. It’s our prayer that you will gather strength to stay strong during this very trying times. We share your sorrows. KSB dispatched  information on Odero fund raising function that took place on the 10th of April 2010. The blogger reports that about 40.000 kronor approximately 400.000 Kenya shillings was realized. Odero is expected to travel in the next week to put his departed father to rest. For more information, check the updates at kenyastockholm blog.
Ole Ngais.

Why a Laikipia North electorate must vote YES to the Constitution.

Manyatta kwa Ole Ngais

Loyie, I am so encouraged to hear that we are politically informed and ready to do the spade job. We have not a better alternative.

Either we open our receptors to accommodate positive change and development or we shall in deed perish like dinosaurs and many other species who were too big to adapt change.

About the constitution, please, let me give my personal reflection. We haven’t all the time on earth to let the Nairobi Mafia play around with our tax payers money in the name of reforms and amendments. They are not willing to delete unwanted clauses, and add wanted change.

They want to delay as long as possible because giving Kenyans a Constitution before 2012 will bring destruction to Status Qua, Impunity and poor governance. However, all this destruction shall only be realized by a civil society enlightened on issues that matters to their survival as a Nation.

We have two blocks, the Poor majority, the power behind equal rights for ALL.The other group is the Stinking rich captives of our Nation,the Lords of bad governance and impunity, the Kenyan rotten potato- and they are a minority, I am convinced that we have the power to revolutionize Kenyan politics.

We shall attach human value to each and every individual. We shall distribute wealth through evenly to-be- distributed infrastructure to all local governments.

We shall foster quality leadership by re-visiting our history and reforming teaching syllabus to ensure children are taught our history and not Dr Livingstone conversation as he crisscrossed Kenya.

The Constitution has been worked on for many years now and we have incurred enormous expenses due to experts lack of WILL to work genuinely to give Kenyans an Altruist Constitution.

We need to use the money to build our infrastructure. WE/I am not willing to wait anymore. Waiting means subjecting ourselves to more oppression.

This is the best of the worst and since we have not better option, we take it and amend later.

It is never a finished product, They are still working on the American Constitution which has been in operation since 1700. The most important thing is that the Bill of Right is strong.

Let us use it to bring the regime into account to provide welfare for all.

I VOTE YES FOR THE CONSTITUTION!! AMENDMENTS MUST BE DEMANDED THE SOONEST THE PAPER IS MADE LAW.

About the agents baptized by Julius as Iscariot(Everybody knows them as Judases of our time), so real, I agree that we have a dozen of them in our society. Otherwise, we shouldn’t be in this situation if we had Peters Matthews, Mark, Lukes,Johns and Magdalenas? After all, it is not about the names, it is about who does the right thing the right time and with justice as the leading STAR.

Some evangelist were brought up to spread equality. They were later sent to spread the good word.(Please note, there is nothing religious here)

Some of them may have gone their way and preached selfishness, ego and injustice. They bring with them bad policies, discrimination, torture, thirst and hunger.

Their deeds leads to the marginalization of certain groups and exploitation in different shameful ways. We shape our destiny!

If you continue to pretend or defend them, you will certainly be derailing our emancipation.

The Maasai people need to stop being political fanatics! We must not continue to elect and empower the devil we know.

We must be self critical, we must be honest to ourselves, we shall be true to our needs and we need to respect our survival.

Electing non productive leaders is killing our children, our future, chasing our elites away from their villages and preventing them from practically working for what they so much belief and invest in, equal respect and acknowledgment, and justice for their people.

The truth shall prevail.

Julius Menya Saidimu, Thank you for provoking this debate..

I look forward to hearing from all our members.

Please let the candle stay lite.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Samburu Campaign Update

Date: 04/14/2010We are encouraged that there have been no more full-scale police attacks on Samburu villages since Cultural Survival’s research delegation gathered evidence of the attacks in January. In February, after receiving Cultural Survival’s report of human rights abuses by Kenyan police forces against the Samburu people, Kenya’s Minister of Internal Security ordered police forces to refrain from using force and to conduct the disarmament operation in northern Kenya peacefully. The Samburu and other pastoralists in the region have responded positively by voluntarily turning in hundreds of illegal weapons.

Peace was shattered at mid-day on March 24, however, when a car-full of Administrative Police picked up two Samburumorans (young men) who were herding sheep near their village, Kirish.  According to the testimony of the one moran who survived, the police forced him and his friend to drink an unknown substance that burned their mouths and lips. Policemen stabbed both men in the neck. Nakini Lemoyog died at the scene, but Lmaino Lekoloi was able to escape. Fortunately he was found by passersby who took him in a vehicle to the Archer’s Post clinic for emergency medical treatment.

The outraged and grieving Samburu community organized demonstrations and roadblocks, demanding an investigation and prosecution of the police officers responsible for these crimes.  For the first time in local memory, the government did organize a line-up of suspects and called witnesses to identify them.  According to reports, several people saw the police when they stopped the morans but did not see the murder occur; others saw the group of police after the crime when they stopped to drink sodas in a nearby village. Cultural Survival has demanded prosecution of the offending police officers and an end to impunity for all police officers who commit crimes and human rights violations against the Samburu people.

Cultural Survival’s full Sambauru report will be released on April 20 and hand-delivered on April 21 to James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur for Indigenous Peoples. We will submit the report to the Kenyan government, the US State Department and other government embassies in Kenya.  Look for the report titled, “When the Police are the Prosecutors: Human Rights Violations by Police in Samburu East and Isiolo Districts, Kenya” on the Cultural Survival website.

You can help us build pressure on the Kenyan government by writing letters. Please join us in sending letters andemails to the Kenyan government

Lifted from cultural survival

Out biking with the kids

Out with the kids on bike. It was such a nice day for an outing in Stockholm. Despite the volcano ash that blanketed the Nordic sky from Island, we could at least see our way out and we indeed enjoyed riding our very own bikes, some of us for the first time. Challenges are such a fantastic necessary part of our lives.

LAND IS THE ISSUE BEHIND “NO” CAMPAIGN, KADHI COURTS AND ABORTION ARE EXCUSES AS POSTED BY NDUGU

This article is sent in by Stanley Maigacho through facebook.
The Plot Thickens! That was a favourite title for a pioneering publisher in the 1970s and 80s. As Kenyans celebrated the appearance of hope for a new constitution on the horizon with the handing over of the Proposed Constitution to the Attorney General by the Speaker of National Assembly, two groups threw spanner in the works by announcing their intention to lead a “NO” campaign. One group is congregating around John cardinal Njue and Canon Peter Karanja while the other hangs on the coattails of Agriculture Minister William Ruto and includes former President Moi. Many Kenyans are alarmed –
unnecessarily. Did we expect a referendum vote without a NO vote? However, of the two groups opposition the proposed law, I find the Ruto-led group to be the honest one. The church leaders are not. The Ruto group is categorical that it is opposed to the provisions touching on the ownership, utilization and management of land. In this corner we have well known owners of huge tracts of land, land grabbers
and their sympathizers.
The offending provisions in the proposed constitution are article 60 which defines the principles of land ownership and management; particularly equitable access to land, elimination of gender discrimination and sound conservation and protection of ecologically sensitive areas and article 68 (c ) that provides for parliament to enact legislation regarding minimum and maximum acreage in respect of
private land and to regulate the manner in which land may be converted from one category to another.
In other words, this group wants to retain the status quo where one can own land size of a whole province and have the rest as squatters as the matter is now in Coast and Rift Valley provinces. They want maintain the status quo where a property can be a public lavatory today and a private restaurant tomorrow. The Njue-Karanja group wants to oppose the Proposed Constitution ostensibly because it provides for Kadhis’ Court and legalizes abortion. These might be the issues that stir emotions among some
believers. However, I am persuaded that the real motivation lies elsewhere, and it is land. It is not lost to us that the Catholic Church is one of the biggest landowners in the country. The church also boasts of members of both current and former first families in its register communicants. These are not known to be land poor. On Kadhis’ Court, the church leaders are inventing a problem that does not exist. Contrary to what many are saying, the Kadhis’ Court has
been existence in East Africa since ca. 1824 when Islam as a religion took root in the region and was formalized around 1832. The court has dealt with matters of personal law, namely personal law, inheritance, marriage and divorce ONLY where all parties involved profess Islamic
faith and mutually agree to submit to the authority of the court. That means there is no way the Kadhis’ court will affect a Christian, a Hindu, a Budhist, an atheist or any other non-Moslem positively or adversely. Indeed for the close to two centuries of existence of such
Courts in this region no non-Moslem has been subjected to Kadhis’ court. Moreover, the Proposed Constitution expressly provides that even when all parties are Moslems, they may elect not to be subject to Kadhis’ Courts – an option not available for other subordinate and superior courts. The matter of Church leaders taking issue with
Kadhis’ Courts is not a matter of separation of State and Religion. It is intolerance of minority by the majority. It is majoritarian dictatorship.
On the second matter of abortion, I have gone through the Proposed Constitution many times over and nowhere do I find express provision for abortion at will. Only article 26, which I reproduce below mentions the subject matter. At article 26, it provides as follows:
(1) Every person has the right to life; (2) The life of a person begins at conception; (3) A person shall not be deprived of life intentionally, except to the extent authorised by this Constitution or other written law; (4) Abortion is not permitted unless, in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is need for emergency
treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.
I think Article 26(4) is very clear: abortion is not permitted except in clear circumstances where life or health of the mother is in danger. We are talking here about two lives – mother and child. Or where a medical expert (not a quack) sees the need for emergency
treatment. Without prejudice to the foregoing, the raging abortion debate exposes the value we attach to lives and wellbeing of our women.
With the envisaged enactment of a new constitution, we are at the threshold of a national revolution that will usher in a brand new political, social and cultural order. We are about to midwife a New Kenya. But this revolution cannot happen without radical changes in how we relate to another and society in its entirety; in our concepts
of marriage and love, in our architecture, our cities, our theology, our politics, our art.
It is crucial, therefore, that we see this question of abortion asmore than a quantitative move, more than a politically expedient move, more than a moral grandstanding. It defines the premium we, as nation
puts on life – of our women who are raped at will while we politic or pray or pretend to make love, on mothers who lose their lives or become infirm in childbirth, or on our children that have to be born with such permanent birth defects that they have to endure the pains of invalidity throughout their miserable lives.
Instead of pretending to be the moral police, the Church should educate us why there is so much abortion going on daily, many performed on nuns with blessing – sometimes assistance – of priests.
The church should stand by the truth and declare whether it stands with the majority of Kenyans hoping for bettering their social and political environment through a new constitution or with the landed gentry and their sympathizers.

Walk through the woods

It was a fantastic spring day in Bagarmossen. I took the family out for a walk and everybody really enjoyed it. Here are some of the day’s photos I thought I should share with you. I hope you will enjoy.

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Bike paths

I love this signs! Every time I see them they remind me of my best friend, the white little thing and the ride it gives me. Sometimes when am really tired, I take it out and off I release all the tension. Haro, my bike, is the best friend I have.

Find your way with our bike paths. In Bagarmossen, the ride through the Nacka reserve is the best in Stockholm area, I think. Try it yourself!

EDGING TOWARDS AN AFFIRMATIVE REFERENDUM RESULT & THE SPINNING OF A FRESH VOTER REGISTER(Part One)

This article is written  by P. Wuanta and submitted through Enkishon E Maa.

We the people of Kenya on Sunday 28th February 2010 marked two years of relative peace and calm since the signing of the National Accord that brought together the ODM and PNU election protagonist to around table to agree to share power culminating into a Grand Coalition Government/GCG. The National Accord brought what we call today Agenda Items 1 to 4.

The tone employed by the Schedule to the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, 2008 captures the mood of the moment so vividly: it goes;
ACTING TOGETHER FOR KENYA,
‘’…..With this agreement we are stepping forward together, as political leaders, to overcome the current crisis and to set the country on a new path. As partners in a coalition government, we commit ourselves to work together in good faith as true partners, through constant consultation and willingness to compromise….

We believe by these steps we can together in the spirit of partnership bring peace and prosperity back to the people of Kenya who so richly deserve it.’’

The world over constitutions are never written except in times of war. The Kenyan constitution making process therefore is unique in every way because apart from being the longest sought for constitution it’s also the most debated process and one that’s written at a time of relative peace. It’s apparently obvious that the cost implication of this process both financial and suffering is mammoth.

Everywhere you go today both in national and international fora they are all talking about the ‘elusive new constitution for Kenya’.
Yet, all that notwithstanding, this referendum will not be a birthday function or tea party seminar but an event and process that is a great beacon light of hope for millions of our marginalised & minority communities.
In a recent commentary by political commentator Macharia Gaitho titled: Lets shed off this double-speak and agree on draft constitution; he clearly said and I quote;

‘’Make no mistake, the church leaders have some very good justification in their opposition to retention of Islamic courts in the new constitution ; and to the window provided for abortion in event of medical emergency.

But then Islamic faithful would provide very strong counter-arguments in favor of the Kadhi courts. On the abortion clause, the medical profession and other groups would not advocate a woman facing childbirth complications being abandoned to die.

The trouble is that on matters of faith, like politics, there is often no logic, rhyme or reason. It’s about taking a position and then dogmatically refusing to countenance any other point of view.’’
For a fact my friends constitutions are not meant to be shopping lists’ but rather frameworks of fundamentals and principals upon which legislations and statutes emanate. In that therefore they state irreducible minimums that apply to a nation as whole.

A pretty example is the South Africa constitution acclaimed as among the most progressive in Africa yet it’s a mere 230 article’s document. The Lancaster constitution which by all standards was one of the best in its time was merely a 13 articles’ document. The constitution of the United States has seven (7) articles embodying 24 sections. Our current constitution has 47 articles.

Today we have from the Committee of Experts a proposed document of about 264 articles’ and 6 comprehensive schedules. By all comparison it’s a fairly big document.
But this is where I part company with argumentators who throw tantrums around that the constitution should state literally everything yet you don’t bring the substance from the Maa community’s position.
Whereas I welcome and do stimulate civic debate on this document anything that goes beyond the boundaries of reasonable Maa community interest should not see the light of day.

 For do we know as a community which side of our bread is buttered in this document? What should the Maasai be debating in this document? What is our stake in this? I ask these questions because according to a few people who I talked to about the document I captured a few concerns that went as:
Ø What are we doing with the Kadhis’ Courts?
Ø What about the clause on abortion?
Ø Why does the constitution allow some of the disciplined forces the right to picket?
Whereas these are intelligent questions/concerns I wonder whether they merit or pass for genuine and felt needs for the Maasai as a community. Are they the historical injustices you people are talking about from time without end? Are they the marginalization, under or no representation of your people through successive regimes? Are these issues contentious to the Maasai? I think they are more or less an extraordinary outpouring of emotion. Should we not be asking about Devolution?

About Land? About Representation of the People? About Public Finance? And what else, about your exploited and abused culture? ; I mean things that are pertinent and dear to us as a community. I believe that this document is far much superior than what we have presently. And to me and to my people it represents a bloodless coup against social, economic and political tyranny and patronage.

I love the chapter on Devolution in that it gives Kenya 47 counties which are roughly the same except in some demographics and thus an affirmative action for the minorities who occupy the 47 districts according to the Provinces and Districts Act of 1992.

Note also that 15% of the national budget will be invested in these Counties which if I may use the classic example of last financial year when our budget stood at about Kshs. 1 trillion then a whooping Kshs. 150 billion will be ploughed back into Counties’ Governments.

 This means Kajiado, Narok, Samburu, Laikipa, & Baringo where my people are will get Kshs. 3.3 billion each to develop their own causes. Lo-Maasai aimiyieuu doi intae endaa nirrinyienyie esumash? (don’t you want food/resources to alleviate hunger/ poverty?). If this happens, by and large we will be developing at the same pace with other parts of ‘the Kenya we know’.

Iam constraint to analyse for you this chapter due to the sensitivity of this whole issue of devolution to let you know that you are indeed the greatest of all beneficiaries in this proposed constitution and especially given the present standing you dis-enjoy with the current constitution. The Land chapter is even more candid for both the Community and Public land can never again be dished out through executive fiat as is the case that happened with Amboseli, the Mau forest, Kajiado airstrip etc .

 We have secured for exclusive community use their forest e.g. Naimina Enkiyio; game reserves e.g. the Maasai Mara and Samburu; wildlife sanctuaries e.g. Shompole and Malewa etc etc. I hope we will materially benefit from the new constituencies to be created under the new constitution and capped at two hundred and ninety (290) as we put strong cases and arguments for, so that we as a community can get a block to bargain with in the national assembly.
Friends Iam tired of being afraid………I believe that the promulgation of this constitution is a classic all of us ought to know. It is like to be in the last line of protection———a split second taking your eye off the ball – could be fatal—-a high risk enterprise.

If we miss the opportunity then we will be as those fellows in the USA who claim to be ‘fighting for a dying race’. For a fact if the Maasai as a community continue for another 15 – 20 years under the current constitutional arrangement we will for sure go under as a people. Do you know that our community is in this horrible and chaotic state today simply because of bad laws? The buck of our undoing stops here.

That is indeed why I pay great homage to the eight great legends from the Maasai community who paid their own air tickets, formed the Maasai Delegation and travelled to London to participate in the Kenya Constitutional Conference, 1962 in Lancaster House: these were Mr. J.K ole Sein, Mr. P. ole Lemein, Dr. Likimani, Mr. Partasio ole Nambaso, Mr. John ole Tameno, Mr. J.K ole Tipis, Mr. J. Keen, and Mr. J.L.N ole Konchellah. The report of the conference states in paragraph 23; ‘’the Maasai delegation did not accept that they had no claims in respect of the lands which the Maasai have vacated under the agreements.’’ And indeed to their sacred honor they declined to sign the constitution document because of LAND, not this aimless debate of Kadhis courts. God bless them. By the way my people do you even know that this debate is only couched on ‘Kadhis courts’ and ‘abortion’ but the real bone of contention is far from that but lies elsewhere?.

Incase you don’t know the real war is in devolution, the executive, and land. Period. I tell you straight face that even those Bishops and Priests are not fighting for the church but for their communities. But they know the ‘divided houses’ who can be swayed anyhow for you neither understand where you are coming from nor try to know where you want to go.
I have been immensely privileged to serve as a senior officer in the secretariat of the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review.

 I can blow this trumpet for once that I did not sleep on the job. Every way I have pushed for your benefits. Emiaku naa lemiaru eponu, nemeibok eyetuo ( don’t become as those who neither participate in the seeking struggle, nor involve in the keeping).

Edging towards an affirmative referendum result & the spinning of a voter register(Part Two)

Here is the part two of the Wuanta analysis on the draft Constitution.

As I close sample these excerpts from the Proposed Constitution:
CAP 2. THE REPUBLIC
Art. 11 (3) a – Culture: Parliament shall enact legislation to ensure that communities receive compensation or royalties for the use of their cultures and cultural heritage.
CAP 4. THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Art. 56 – Minorities and marginalized groups: The State shall put in place affirmative action programmes to ensure that minorities and marginalised groups –a) participate and are represented in governance and other spheres of life; b) are provided special opportunities in educational and economic fields; c) are provided special opportunities for access to employment; d) develop their cultural values, languages and practices; and e) have reasonable access to water, health services and infrastructure.
CAP 5. LAND AND ENVIROMENT
Art. 62 (4),- Public land – Public land shall not be disposed of or otherwise used except in terms of an Act of Parliament specifying the nature and terms of that disposal.
(My take is no more executive dishing out of the Mau and others).
Art. 63 (4) – Community land – Community land shall not be disposed of or otherwise used except in terms of legislation specifying the nature and extent of the rights of members of each community individually and collectively.
Art. 67 (2) e – National Land Commission – The functions of the national land commission are (e) to initiate investigations, on its own initiative or on a complaint, into present or historical land injustices, and recommend appropriate redress.
CAP 7. REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE
Art. 89 (1) – Delimitation of electoral units – There shall be two hundred and ninety constituencies for the purposes of the election of the members of the National Assembly mentioned in article 97 (1) (a).
(So, No Katiba No new constituencies.)
CAP 8. THE LEGISLATURE
Art. 100 – Promotion of representation of marginalized groups – Parliament shall enact legislation to promote the representation in Parliament of – a) women, b) persons with disabilities, c) youth, d) ethnic and other minorities, and e) marginalized communities.
CAP 11. DEVOLVED GOVERNMENT
Art. 174 – Objects of devolution – The objects of the devolution of government are – c) to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them; d) to recognize the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development; e) to protect and promote the interests and right of minorities and marginalized communities; f) to promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate easily accessible services throughout Kenya; g) to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya; h) to facilitate the decentralization of State organs, their functions and services, from the capital of Kenya.
CAP 12. PUBLIC FINANCE
Art. 202 (1) – Equitable sharing of national revenue – Revenue raised nationally shall be shared equitably among the national and county governments.
Art. 204 (1) – Equalization fund – There is established an equalization fund into which shall be paid one half percent of all the revenue collected by the national government each year calculated on the basis of the most recent audited accounts of revenue received, as approved by the national assembly. (2) The national government shall use the equalization fund only to provide basic services including water, roads, health facilities, electricity to marginalized areas to the extent necessary to bring the quality of those services in those areas to the level generally enjoyed by the rest of the nation, so far as possible.
(This shall happen for the next 20 years)
The First schedule
1. The Maasai Counties – Kajiado, Narok, Samburu, Laikipia, and Baringo (5).
2. The Kikuyu Counties – Nyandarua, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Laikipia and Kiambu (6).
3. The Kalenjin Counties – Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo/ Marakwet, Nandi, Baringo, Kericho, and Bomet (6).
4. The Luo Counties – Siaya, Kisumu, Homa Bay, and Migori (4).
5. The Kamba Counties – Kitui, Machakos, and Makueni (3).
6. The Luhya Counties – Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Busia, and Trans Nzoia (5).
(In my analysis whereas some are cosmos, they are roughly the same – the biggest gain ever made by a marginalized minority group).
I therefore follow the endorsement made by the following big five i.e. President Obama, President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Dr. Kofi Annan, and Hon. William ole Ntimama; to add my little sixth voice and declare, IT’S A ‘YES’ REFERENDUM RESULT!
Finally, to ensure you become part of this decisive action, get yourself the new voters card from the Interim Independent Electoral Commission of Kenya/IIEC, amu medung taa olorora lenkutuk ong’ata ( verbosity does not bring home the bacon).
God bless you, God bless My People, and may God bless Kenya.

Phillip S. Wuantai (Convenor/Association of Maa Academics)
C/O Nashipai Perrio Ene Kilanya (Secretary Enkishui e Maa)

ANNOUNCEMENT: PANAFRIC HOTEL DINNER HOSTED BY USAID FOR SAMBURU EAST PEACE DELAGATES

The message below is received from a postage by SAPA through facebook.

Kindly follow the link to SAPA‘s facebook page or call the appropriate number given below.

The SAPA peace caravan intended to roll down its programmes to Samburu East very soon have gone ahead inviting Samburu East representatives in Nairobi to a dinner in Panafric hotel hosted by USAID. Samburu West representatives were hosted yesterday in Serena hotel and in their meeting; it was decided for Samburu East to be hosted today.

It is a very short notice anyway but for those who could manage, please send Laanyu Lenny a message in facebook to compile a list of available people. 16 names have already been forwarded and the target is about 40 people. Please feel the remaining gap by letting Laanyu confirm the number of people to attend by inboxing him in FB.

The sole reason for the dinner meeting is to stipulate the peace tour plans, parameters and all required variables for the peace caravan. Three representatives will be chosen to attend Nyeri’s workshop to be held this Saturday on how best to apply peace and spread the word of peace in Samburu and its surrounding neighbors among other agenda’s

For more information, contact Laanyu Lenaiyara at 0727 701 107

Samburu East:THE PANAFRIC DINNER MEETING

Subject: THE PANAFRIC DINNER MEETING

The Panafric meeting for Samburu East/Isiolo peace tour caravan was very successful and those in attendance contributed positively and constructively on behalf of the community. The tour caravan was later dubbed the Waso caravan after warani wa Waso identified their presence and contributions.

This name ‘Waso’ was chosen also because River Ewaso Nyiro North flows along territories of all the communities to be involved in the programme. We had people (Borana, Somali and Turkana) representing Isiolo district and many more from Samburu East. Samburus in Kipsing’ and Ol Donyiro raised concerns in this forum for us to push the caravan’s itinerary to include them in the tour and we did.

All those in attendance were busy taking notes and personally I have a bunch of them that may take me time to compile and I will only post it on Tuesday because we will be occupied the whole weekend.

The meeting was kind of introduction of the idea to Samburu East/Isiolo district and details were left to be dealt with on a workshop organized in Nyeri Green Fields Hotel on Sartuday. Unfortunately many Archer’s residents in attendance wouldn’t be able to make to Nyeri because of attending a wedding ceremony of a friend (Jimmy Lengima) to be held in Archer’s tomorrow. But we promised to attend the workshop next weekend on the same venue in Nyeri anyway.

People in attendance were told to forward their names for those who could manage to attend the Nyeri meeting and a few did. We were also told to let our other friends to know there will be that workshop and if anyone would want to attend please to contact me for more details because accommodation, food and transport reimbursement will be catered for.

Later after the meeting we had our delicious five star dinner in the hotel and it was very enjoyable. So please for those who feel they can help the community in one way or another by being objective and contributing positively and constructively, keep your eye on this programme.

Thanks

Tom

Secretary Samburu East Development Forum

Get to know Bagis.

Neighbors  in Bagarmossen are convinced that Bagarmossen is still the most RED community in Stockholm.
They claim that the community is still holding unto its social democratic roots and the essence of living together in a somehow neighbor consider neighbor and a brotherhood where everybody wants to be seen and respect not for what they do or own, but for what they are, human beings. This is a community that stands tall to say – if I have 3 cows, I give one to the needy neighbor.
If you ask Isa Schöier of the Bagis.nu, on what she does on her free time, she would most likely tell you she inquires to know better and write for us and for the coming generation, the story of this little village called Bagarmossen.

A village that has become home not only for the native swedes, but also for many non-natives.  According to my perception, Isa and her friends works ideally to promote the spirit of a natural village, a village where neighbors  get to know each other and share a sense of belonging. She would say, that we may look different and may have originated from different backgrounds, but we ‘re all burrowing our roots deep beneath the foundation of this village. I hear the neighbors proclaim that we live here and this is our home!

During a walk through Bagarmossen organized by bagis.nu, Marica Lagerkrans guided Bagis neighbors through cultural tour telling the history of Bagarmossen beginning from before the Folkhemmet through the dynamics of the social welfare and the positive effects it had on the community at large.

Bagarmossen is a multi-cultural community hosting people from almost all over the world. The residence when asked by Bagis.nu says that they find it very conducive and friendly in Bagarmossen despite many negative and baseless rumors reproduced by non residence especially from inner city.
The cultural organization Bagis.nu asked children to make paper houses of all models found in Bagarmossen which were later displayed in the cultural school. Every house has its own unique story that gives Bagarmossen its own identity.

I took some pictures of the houses made made by our children and I think they are just amazing. Find them below.

In her narrative, Marica said that the  residence  of the first privately own town houses, built their own houses.
Marica also narrated how the  workers worked not just to accumulate as much wealth as possible, like it is today, but to satisfy their needs.
Visit the link below to read more on bagis.nu.
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Loiboni's wedding in Dol-dol

Wedding Bells are ringing at Kimirri’s in Dol-dol, Mukogodo! Congratulations Loiboni on your wedding and may all the Godly blessings be upon your house. Greetings from my family and especially from your Nephew Dylan. I heard him mentioning a word like Paashe..:)

A traditional wedding ceremony was today witnessed by the residents of Loisukut in Dol-dol between my childhood friend Loiboni and a well selected beautiful bride from another Laikipiak house in the neighborhood.

Loiboni, also known as Senteu Ole Kimirri together with his best man and ceremonial guards visited the home from where he found his love, to exchange matrimonial vows and  treaties as per the Maasai culture and traditions. Although Senteu Ole Kimirri is a University graduate and resides in Nairobi, he embraces his culture and good traditions with full contentment. Just have a look at the video below..  Did you see him in red ocher and red traditional leather attire? (Orkila)?

Maasai weddings are colorful even even today when all seems to be uncertain, when change is feels aggressive and color is going neutral.

According to our people, those vows are engraved imaginary stones and framed in metal only to be kept in the minds and souls of every individual in the society. They shall never be broken even though separation can sometimes happen.

It is my sincere happiness to see my childhood friend weds and make a family of his own. May the gifts truly entitled to you be surely yours.

Kelotu naa Olayioo le ntito engutunyi aimalisho. Iroroki Ntekis ai, the warrior to the extream right amu abaiyie apa te Nanyokie 2006. Loonyor kidemi mee kesiooyo taa enkata nadede

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Enkiama emaa

Nekia | MySpace Video

Follow this tghis link to see video source
Enkiama emaa

Nekarianka Nekia's Photos - Nekia's

NYERI LEG 1 GREEN FIELDS MEETING – WASO CORRIDOR PEACE CARAVAN

The Waso corridor peace caravan workshop conducted in Green Fields Hotel, Nyeri over the weekend was very successful according to sources who attended the Leg 1 meeting. Leaders across Samburu East district/constituency and Isiolo North District/Constituency were also present and there was sober and harmonious discussion of real problems and causes of conflicts among the warring communities of the two districts.

There was noted absence of many people who could have added some more value in the meeting because of hastiness in the planning of the workshop by giving people short notices as well as the weekend wedding in Archer’s. But there will be preparation of Leg 2 meeting this coming weekend and this will accommodate more people who missed the first chance to air their views and many other personal contributions on behalf of their various communities.

More details on this shall be released as we get clear and compiled information of the workshop

Tom Lolosoli

Secretary

Samburu East Development Forum

Notes on gender equality

Samburu East Development Facebook Forum

In conjunction with the on going peace and conflict transformation in Samburu East, I would like to share a few points which I thought should be supportive  and guiding during this crucial transformation process.

In order for us to attain perpetual peace, if indeed that is possible, we must however live with respect and communicate with the help of all non-violence languages available to us. I am pleased to hear that the peace Caravan targeting SE is doing a good job.

It is my sincere hope that it is all inclusive and genuinely address the root cause of the conflict between ethnic groups, the government as well as cross boundaries. The common conflict causative denominator in the North frontier districts is injustices, inequalities and and poor governance in the region.

All other conflicts are but symptoms of a major magma of  dissatisfaction resulting from unequal distribution of Kenya’s natural resources. Security cannot be attained without fully addressing the issue of welfare to all individuals.

Value must be attached to each and every individual in the area. Conflict transformation is a long term issue and it craves focus and sobriety and intuitiveness.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Notes peace and welfare

1948: Universal Declaration of HR states the equal rights of men and women.
1966: Res 2200A on the Protection of Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflicts recognised that women suffer during conflicts and that efforts should be made to spare them form the ravages of war
1975: 1st UN World Conference on Women recognised the multiple roles played by women as peacemakers at the level of family, community, nation, and planet. Call for ↑ representation of women in international forums on peace and security
1979: GA Res 34/180 recognised that global peace and welfare are linked to equal participation of women in all areas.
1989: UN Secretary General: women are victims of violence disproportionately.
1995: Beijing Declaration objectives: ↑ women in decision-making, ↓ military spending, promote non-violent conflict resolution., women to foster culture of peace.
2000: Systematic rape in war as crime against humanity/war crimes. Res 1325: promotes gender in peacekeeping, peace building & conflict prevention.

Source: http://www.peacewomen.org/un/sc/1325.html

Proposed Kalama/Waso education fund

On the evening of 24thofApril2010, Peter Lechakwet the Kalama conservancy manager in Gir gir group ranch called for an elites meeting to discus for the first time ever an initiative to draw funds from all working class in the area to a common pool for assistance of needy students in the group ranch area.

As Kalama manager he has experienced the financial difficulties the ranch normally has to get enough funds that will run its affairs as well as apportioning some money for schools bursaries. As a first step, he thought of engaging all working elites to be contributing about between Kshs 1000 – 2000 ($13 – 26) per month for the project.

Mr John Lemasa who is also Kalama Conservancy community manager and Samburu East CDF chairman, compiled a list of 300 names that he believed are local elites who have undergone difficult circumstances to achieve the objectives of their lives and would really be ready to make assistance for the proposed project. He supported the idea by saying the initiative would help to boost local bursary schemes.

All in attendance were for the idea and many details shall be compiled and released to you on Thursday.

Thanks

Tom Lolosoli

Secretary

Samburu East Development Forum

Macolm X killer freed after 44 years

By Wayne Drash, CNN

April 27, 2010 — Updated 1756 GMT (0156 HKT)

Thomas Hagan was captured shortly after the assassination of Malcolm X on Feburary 21, 1965.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NEW: Thomas Hagan walks out of Lincoln Correctional Facility at 11 a.m.
• Hagan set free a day earlier than expected; he’s the only confessed killer of Malcolm X
• Hagan, 69, has been in a work-release program the past two decades
• Hagan told parole board he killed Malcolm X over his split with Nation of Islam

(CNN) — Thomas Hagan, the only man who admitted his role in the 1965 assassination of iconic black leader Malcolm X, was paroled Tuesday.

Hagan was freed a day earlier than planned because his paperwork was processed more quickly than anticipated, according to the New York State Department of Correctional Services.

Hagan, 69, walked out of the minimum-security Lincoln Correctional Facility at 11 a.m. The facility is located at the intersection of West 110th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard.

Hagan had been in a full-time work-release program since March 1992 that allowed him to live at home with his family in Brooklyn five days a week while reporting to the prison just two days.

Last month, Hagan pleaded his case for freedom: To return to his family, to become a substance abuse counselor and to make his mark on what time he has left in this world.

He was dressed in prison greens as he addressed the parole board. He had been before that body 14 other times since 1984. Each time, he was rejected.

Hagan was no ordinary prisoner. He is the only man to have confessed in the killing of Malcolm X, who was gunned down while giving a speech in New York’s Audubon Ballroom in 1965.

“I have deep regrets about my participation in that,” he told the parole board on March 3, according to a transcript. “I don’t think it should ever have happened.”

Hagan had been sentenced to 20 years to life imprisonment after being found guilty at trial with two others in 1966. The other two men were released in the 1980s and have long denied involvement in the killing.

To win his release, Hagan was required to seek, obtain and maintain a job, support his children and abide by a curfew. He must continue to meet those conditions while free. He told the parole board he’s worked the same job for the past seven years. He told the New York Post in 2008 he was working at a fast-food restaurant.

I can’t really describe my remiss and my remorse for my actions.

–Thomas Hagan, killer of Malcolm X

RELATED TOPICS

• Malcolm X
• Nation of Islam
• Murder and Homicide
• Parole

A parole officer checked on him while outside prison, and he had to undergo random drug tests.

CNN was unable to reach Hagan for a comment about his release. The Nation of Islam declined comment for this story.

Malcolm X is best known as the fiery leader of the Nation of Islam who denounced whites as “blue-eyed devils.” But at the end of his life, Malcolm X changed his views toward whites and discarded the Nation of Islam’s ideology in favor of orthodox Islam. In doing so, he feared for his own life from within the Nation.

Malcolm X remains a symbol of inspiration for black men, in particular, who are moved by his transformation from a street hustler to a man the late African-American actor Ossie Davis eulogized as “our own black shining prince.”

The ballroom where he was killed has now been converted into The Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. Board Chairman Zead Ramadan said the center doesn’t have a position on Hagan’s release.

“I personally find it strange that for a couple decades any person convicted in the assassination of such an iconic figure would be allowed such leniency,” Ramadan said.

There’s outrage among some African-Americans, he said, that he’s being released. Would he be set free if he had killed an iconic white leader?

“It’s really a struggle for Muslims to contemplate this issue, because our faith and our religion is full of examples where we have to exert mercy,” he added. “The Malcolm X story has not ended. His populuarity has grown in death. … Only God knows why this was allowed to happen.”

The center is preparing for a special service next month to celebrate what would have been Malcolm X’s 85th birthday. Would the center welcome Hagan if he asked to attend?

“We’d cross that bridge if he called us,” Ramadan said, “Think about that: How far-fetched is it that he could meet one of the daughters of Malcolm X? And what’s going to happen then? Mercy, fury, anger, emotions — who knows?”

Killed in front of his family

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X took to the stage of the Audubon Ballroom, a site often used for civic meetings. His wife, Betty Shabazz, and four children were in the crowd.

Malcolm X was 39 when he was gunned down in 1965.

“I heard several shots in succession,” his wife later told a Manhattan grand jury. “I got on the floor, and I pushed my children under the seat and protected them with my body.”

Gunshots continued to ring out, she said. Her husband’s body was riddled with bullets. The native of Omaha, Nebraska, was 39.

“Minister Malcolm was slaughtered like a dog in front of his family,” A. Peter Bailey, one of Malcolm X’s closest aides, told The New York Times on the 40th anniversary of the killing.

The assassination came after a public feud between Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam’s founder, Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm X had accused Muhammad of infidelity and left the Nation in March 1964.

“For the next 11 months, there was a pattern of harassment, vilification and even on occasion literally pursuit in the streets of Malcolm by people associated with the Nation,” said Claude Andrew Clegg III, author of a biography on Elijah Muhammad called An Original Man.

“Malcolm felt that if Elijah Muhammad snapped his fingers, then he could stop the escalation of the violent tone around the split of the two men. And I think there’s some truth to that.”

Over the years, the killing of Malcolm X has been the subject of much debate, with conspiracy theories involving the Nation of Islam and others. The Nation of Islam has repeatedly denied any involvement in Malcolm X’s assassination.

Twenty-two and on a deadly mission

Hagan, then known by the name Talmadge X Hayer, was 22 and a radical member of the Nation of Islam the day he entered the ballroom armed and ready to kill. His allegiance was to the Nation’s founder, and he was outraged Malcolm X had broken from its ranks.

After the shooting, Hagan tried to flee the scene but he was shot in the leg. He was beaten by the crowd before being arrested outside.

Thomas Hagan is pictured here in a mugshot from 2008.

Last month, he told the parole board he felt the urge to kill Malcolm X because of his inflammatory comments about the Nation’s founder.

“It stemmed from a break off and confusion in the leadership,” Hagan said. “Malcolm X broke with the Nation of Islam, separated from the Nation of Islam, and in doing so there was controversy as to some of the statements he was making about the leader.”

He added, “History has revealed a lot of what Malcolm X was saying was true.”

Two other men, Muhammad Abdul Aziz and Kahlil Islam, were also found guilty of murder in 1966 and received 20 years to life. Both proclaimed their innocence. Hagan, who eventually admitted his part in the murder, testified at trial and subsequent parole hearings that both men were innocent. Aziz was paroled in 1985; Islam was freed in 1987.

At last month’s parole hearing, Hagan again maintained that Aziz and Islam were not the other assassins. He said it was two other men who helped plot, plan and participate in the killing.

Did they receive orders from the Nation to carry out the killing?

“I can’t say that anyone in the Nation of Islam gave us the idea or instructed us to do it. We did this ourselves for the most part, yes,” Hagan told the parole board.

Hagan said he received a master’s degree in sociology while incarcerated and that helped him deal with his actions from 45 years ago.

“I understand a lot better the dynamics of movements and what can happen inside movements and conflicts that can come up, but I have deep regrets about my participation in that.”

He added, “Unfortunately, I didn’t have an in-depth understanding of what was really going on myself to let myself be involved in anything like that. … I can’t really describe my remiss and my remorse for my actions — basically a very young man, a very uneducated man. “

He is still a Muslim but no longer a member of the Nation of Islam. He volunteers at a mosque to help young men. He told the parole board he hopes to become a qualified substance abuse counselor.

His primary mission is to help his four children, ages 21, 17, 14 and 10. He has two other grown children.

“My focus is to maintain my family and to try to make things a little better for them. It’s upward mobility, and to encourage my children to complete their education because it’s a must.”

Source CNN

SAMBURU EAST RESIDENT APPOINTED SOUTHERN SUDAN ENVOY

Cleland Leshore has been appointed by government of Kenya as a new envoy to Southern Sudan. We the locals of Samburu are proud for this great news and surely there is realization of ethnic balance of civil service jobs fresh recruitment, appointments and promotions in the current coalition government

The office of the Prime Minister earlier this year cautioned the ministry of Labor and Human Resources Development as well as parastatals chiefs to be fair in job promotions and recruitment. Hon Raila Odinga the Prime minister Republic of Kenya went ahead saying all those government bodies chiefs who knows they have been favoring their tribes than others and leaving out especially the neglected and minority tribes, to be ready for repercussions or take necessary steps to correct their mistakes.

PROPOSED KALAMA/WASO EDUCATION FUND – Details of the meeting PART I

Sunday, April, 24, 2010
The meeting was opened by Mr. Peter Lechakwet explaining the reason of that memorable day’s gathering and its set agenda. The sole reason of the meeting was to introduce the idea of initiating a bursary scheme for our bright and unfortunate students by engaging the local professionals and other stakeholders to join hands for monthly contributions to a common pool that will see destitute children pursuing their dreams in furthering their education.

He noted that there are many students excelling in their national examinations but with no means to advance their education. They normally try seeking assistance from group ranches, CDF and other local institutions but to no avail or reliability because of financial difficulties also these entities undergoes.

He also went ahead suggesting looking for ways we can get funding from other sources like foreign sponsors but firstly after making a successful kick starter ourselves. He said this will be the first time professionals are organizing a continuous fundraising for the better of our successful children from the have-not families.

But he distinguished the idea of having an organized and reliable fund is by forming a managing committee that will oversea the contribution and disbursement processes. He also said group ranch and constituency development fund (CDF) should join the fray by contributing to the proposed kitty. This will see more money being raised to assist our performing students reliably.

He said Charity begins at home and we are the one obligated to give the idea a green light. He went ahead saying he had some time discussing the idea with the area MP Hon Raphael Letimalo and he is ready to support the initiative.

Mr Peter continued by insisting that parents should also be part of this noble idea by contributing something once a year either in cash, cheque or in kind because they are the ones being relieved off the burden.
He also congratulated the Samburu East Development Forum for its excellent job in generating and disseminating informative posts to the people of Samburu East, the larger Samburu and its stakeholders.

Gir gir primary school headmaster Mr Ambrose Lekoitip seconded the noble idea and thanked Mr. Peter for having thought of this great initiative. As a teacher, he has seen a lot that many students undergo and has been very sympathetic. The congregation couldn’t believe when the headmaster said some bright Primary schools kids after making successfully to form one, they have been compelled to come back to class 7 because of lack of fees for high schools. He went ahead noting that motivation lucks in the children because of poverty and lack of reliable assistance from relevant development bodies and leaders.

He said education is key to a better transformation and the only way to reduce dependency ratio in the area. He was worried that most of the touts in Archer’s town were clever and destitute children who lacked means to prosper their bigger dreams in furthering their Education.

Miss Christine Namunyak an employee with Christian children Fund (CCF) added that somebody must have seen something to bring this issue to the people. She agreed that somebody like Peter must have witnessed desperate children seeking bursary from group ranch and Mr lekoitip must have seen a lot as earlier said pupils recycling back from High School to Primary with hopes there will be God send saviors in future to help them realize their dreams of furthering their education.

She said Archer’s is a very small place to sort out its problems and the only thing needed is unity from the leading lights. She went ahead saying there are many orphaned children because of HIV/AIDS and these are among the brightest kids in dire need of assistance. She challenged the gathering by saying that people should stop being selfish and think of others as well. There is a lot of money normally spent over the weekends in pubs filling our stomachs but this is the time we should consider giving back to the community. By just sacrificing some extra luxury we can help our people in need a greater deal.

PART II – Next message

Complied by : Tom Lolosoli
Secretary Samburu East Development Forum

Samburu East District – Assessment and Repairs of Boreholes, year 2009

1.1 Wamba Town
Wamba town is the administrative and Commercial Centre of the Samburu East District. It has retail shops, butcheries, posho mills, low/medium class hotels, a district hospital, administrative offices and divisional police station, a post office and several education institutions..

The town has greater potential for further development considering its commercial and trading opportunities and its location as the nearest other town is Isiolo is located about 90km away.

1.2 Location
Wamba Town is located in Wamba division which is one of the two divisions in Samburu East District and is administered by a County Council.

1.3 Rainfall
The mean annual rainfall is estimated at 540mm which follows a fairly erratic pattern varying significantly both in time and space. Both short and long rains exist. The driest months are January and February. The long rainy season fall in the months of March, April and May. Short rains occur during the month of July and August sometimes extending into September

1.4 Temperature
The maximum temperature is 33.40c which occurs in the month of March while the minimum temperature is 17.40c which occurs in January and December.

1.5 Geology
The geology of Samburu District consists of two major units namely the basement and the tertiary volcanic. Ground water is found in both units.

1.6 Land and Soils
Samburu District is an ASAL area whose soil development has been greatly, influenced by the rock type, climate and topography. The soils are in most areas generally low in organic matter due to low density of plant life and fast microbial activities. They have low fertility and are inherently shallow permitting only a limited capacity for water.

1.7 Development Plan
There exists a Physical Development which was prepared in 1991 but to date has not been approved. The old Town is up to the Standard of the Physical Development Plan.

However, the new part of the town is encroaching on road reserve and hence requires urgent attention.

1.8 Existing Wamba Water Supply

1.8.1 Source
Wamba town is served by water from two small reservoirs located at mountain forest 5km away.The upper reservoir is smaller than the lower one and both he along the same stream. The upper reservoir has water throughout the year, though its yield greatly decreases during the dry season. The lower reservoir receives overflow and seepage water from the upper reservoir and for this reason it tends to dry up when the yield from the upper source drops down.

From the two reservoirs 104m3/ day is harvested for Wamba town supply.

1.8.2 Gravity Main
The gravity main consists of 400m 1 ½ inch class B GI pipe and another 441m. 1 ¼ inch class B GI pipe from the upper reservoir to the lower reservoir. Another section comprises of 42770m 2 inch class B PVC pipe with a few rocky areas fitted with GI pipes of the same size.

1.8.3 Clear Water Storage Tanks
A ground level masonry tank (GLMT) of capacity 48m3 is located at game station on elevation 1402m above sea level. Another 50m3 GLMT is also located above D.Cs office at altitude 1355m above sea level.

1.8.4 Distribution
A total of 6km distribution here comprising of 2’’ PVC class C and 1 ½ GI class B pipes. The reticulation system is in poor condition which need to be repaired. There are approximately 200 connections giving use to about 1,600 consumers.

2.0 Dam Location
The location of the proposed site is located 36031’E, 1045’N topo sheet (1:50000) for Wamba. It is located at the confluence of wamba and Sere-Rongai Streams with an altitude of 1429 masl.

3.0 Detailed Investigations
Implementation of the dam shall include the following stages:
A. Hydrogeological survey to establish the geology of the catchment, the reservoir and dam site areas.
B. Geotechnical exploration to determine;
a. The depth of bed rock at the dam site.
b. Characteristics of rocks and soils.
c. The geological characteristics which are of interest are:
i. Thickness of the strata to carry the weight of the dam.
ii. The inclination of the strata.
iii. Permeability through different strata in foundation.
iv. The existing faults and fissures.

C. Foundation
Foundation for the dam should be on impermeable formation, in order to avoid seepage under the dam. Sufficient geotechnical exploration will be carried in the reservoir area to ensure that there are no faults or fracture zones. If the presence of fracture zones is confirmed during the geotechnical exploration, grouting will be required.

4.0 Reservoir Characteristics

4.1 Useful/Demand Storage
It is the storage above the lowest outlet level. This is normally the silt level of a dam up to the highest controlled water surface (spillway crest). The minimum useful storage for the Dam is determined using water demand for wamba town by 2020 for 6 months dry spell = 894*30*6= 160,920m3

4.2 Dead Storage
It’s the storage below the outlet level of a reservoir and not susceptible to release by usual outlet means. Dead storage is provided in the reservoir to absorb the silt content without affecting the useful storage. The design of a dam of magnitude of Sere-Rongai is designed to be 20 years. The volume of silt expected to be accumulated in the reservoir during the 50 years and using the rate of 150m3/km2/year translates to25,500m3.

This site is located in the forest reserve and siltation is expected to be lower then 500m3//km2/year according to design guidelines of MOW & I.

4.3 Evaporation Losses
Evaporation in Wamba is 2.0m annually meaning 0.17m monthly evaporation. Therefore the total evaporation volume for 10-month maximum dry spell is 0.17*6*20,000 = 20,400m3

4.5 Gross Storage
It is the storage above the lowest river bed level of a reservoir up to the highest controlled water surface (spill way crest). This is equal to the storage available in dead storage, useful storage, mean annual evaporation plus the seepage.
This is 160,920+25,500+20,400= 206,820 m3

5.0 Dam dimensions

5.1 Top Crest width
Width of the Crest is given by
B = H/5 + 3
Where; B is the crest width.
H is the height of the dam.

A minimum width of 3m is recommended.
With the proposed height of the dam 7m
Crest width, B = 7/5 + 3 = 4.0m.

5.2 Base width
The upstream and the downstream slopes of dam of the dam are 1:3 and 1:2.5 respectively. Therefore minimum base width will be given as

Base width, W= 3h + 2.5h + B

Where:
W= Width of base (m)
h=Height of dam (m) = 7m
B= the top width.
Thus W =3 x 7 + 2.5 x 7 + 4 = 60.0m

6.0 Summary of Dam Details – Sere-Rongai Dam details

Elevation of the dam ———– 1429masl
Catchment area —– ————8.5km2
Area of the reservoir ———- 0.02km2
Maximum height of the dam ——- 7m
Annual runoff ————————-3,400,000 m3
Impounded reservoir volume ——210,000 m3
Demand storage ——————160,920 m3
Evaporation loses —————–20,400m3
Dead Storage ———————–25,500 m3
Gross Storage ———————–704,000 m3
Available spare capacity ———–616,000 m3
Crest width ———————–4m
Bottom width ————————42.5m
Embankment length ——————150m
Calculated volume of the embankment— 16,000m3
Length of the longest stream ——-7.5km
Slope of the catchment area ——-3.52%
Distribution main from the proposed treatment works — 7.1Km
Elevation head —————–121m
Head loss(150mm GI Pipe) —- 35.5m
Useful head ——————— 85.5m

6.0 Water Treatment System
A full conventional water treatment works with a daily treatment capacity of 894m3/day be constructed. Appendix 2 shows the cost estimate.

7.0 Balancing Tank
A clear water reservoir be constructed of 850m3/day as a balancing Tank.

8.0 Distribution System
A 150mm Ø,100m long pipe should be laid to connect water from the Sere-Rongai surface dam to the treatment works and another 150mm Ø, 7,100m main from the treatment works to Wamba.

9.0 COST ESTIMATE

Item Amount
• Construct a new dam of capacity at least 200,000m3 —– 30,125,000
• Construct a treatment works of capacity 900m3/day —- 17,500,000
• Upgrade the Gravity main(1,533m) to 6 inch upvc class D —- 2,214,000
• Procure 1 septic tanks exhauster ——- 3,500,000
TOTAL 53,339,000

PREPARED BY
DISTRICT WATER OFFICER
SAMBURU EAST DISTRICT

SBMITTED TO
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT OFFICER (DMO)
SAMBURU CENTRAL

DISTRICT WATER OFFICER
SAMBURU EAST DISTRICT
P O BOX 24
WAMBA

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Mona Sahlins tal på valupptakten

Mona Sahlin talar på Norra bantorget i Stockholm den 1 maj 2010
Mona Salin speaks at the Ban Squire in Stockholm during the 2010 labor Day.
The speech is unfortunately in Swedish. We cannot help the non Swedish speakers at the moment.

New direction for Sweden

Toman Östros. Credit i.anp.se

Below is a rough translation of the Swedish Social democratic opposition finance adviser. Visit the party’s homepage here for more information.

New direction for  Sweden

This morning we presented our common red-green budget. It is a historic budget and a new direction for the whole of Sweden. Our message was clear: full employment, welfare before major new tax cuts and strong public finances.

Sweden must be returned to surplus and our competitiveness must be strengthened, therefore, we suggest including extensive investments in new jobs, internships and training. Among other things, we want to expand higher education, strengthen job training and lower the employer contribution for small businesses in an active policy for more jobs.

This is our 16th joint budget. We are ready to take over.
You can help by participating in the largest call campaign in Swedish political history. Your input is needed!

Please

Thomas Östros

CHINESE HU-WI Company pledges to build a KES 20M modern Market and Town Beautification

Archer’s Town

Chinese road construction company HU-WI, pledged to build a KES 20M modern market in Archer’s town. Bus stage, Car Parks, garden parks and wide loads or long haulers parking are also in the plan. Just after compensating land owners whose their buildings were demolished following Isiolo-Merile River Bridge tarmac road construction, a senior Chinese personnel said that the road construction was meant to bring development in the region but not poverty and that is why consideration of compensating the land owners due to the losses made by demolitions caused by road construction was made. After consultation with some development conscious locals, he further agreed to develop a huge modern market but never quoted the cost of the whole thing.

Recently they made it clear the whole programme will cost as mentioned above and the Samburu county council joined the fray by promising a KES 10M for the same but I am still to confirm this with County Clerk Stephen Lekupe.

The site of the market was identified to be in Katanga Chini just under the common Ngigwana acacia tree along the super highway.

Bus/Matatu stage will be near Mutirithia Stores and Wholesale. The stage will accommodate a few matatus serving the town until the council decides otherwise in future when town grows and a need to create more space in the center by pushing matatu stage elsewhere.

The wide load/ long haulers parking will be just before Waso Boys secondary schools from town. Car parks will be constructed and marked in front of town premises. Low walls of Garden Park will be carefully constructed and seedlings planted. I am not quite sure how it will be watered.

I am intending to plead with council surveyor Mr. Jonathan Lekerio for a detailed town plan of Archer’s and I will post the map once I get it.

This will be a noble kick starter of transforming Archer’s Post to be the Larger Samburu commercial center. Archer’s is blessed with several tourism facilities like Samburu, Buffalo and Shaba game reserves and Kalama and Westgate Conservancies all with 4 star lodges. The famous Ewaso Nyiro North which is the backbone of these tourism sites flows down along Acher’s Post town as well.

Thanks

Tom

Secretary

SEDF

Get to know Bagis part 1

Neighbours in Bagarmossen are convinced that Bagarmossen is still the most RED community in Stockholm.
They claim that the community is still holding unto its social democratic roots and the essence of living together in a somehow neighbour consider neighbour and a brotherhood where everybody wants to be seen and respect not for what they do or own, but for what they are, human beings. This is a community that stands tall to say – if I have 3 cows, I give one to needy neighbour.
If you ask Isa Schöier of the Bagis.nu, on what she does on her free time, she would most likely tell you she inquires to know better and write for us and for the coming generation, the story of this little village called Bagarmossen.

A village that has become home not only for the native swedes, but also for many non-natives. According to my perception, Isa and her friends works ideally to promote the spirit of a natural village, a village where neighbours get to know each other and share a sense of belonging. She would say, that we may look different and may have originated from different backgrounds, but we re all burrowing or roots deep beneath the foundation of this village. I hear the neighbours proclaim that we live here and this is our home!

During a walk through Bagarmossen organized by bagis.nu, Marica Lagerkrans guided Bagis neighbours through cultural tour telling the history of Bagarmossen beginning from before the Folkhemmet through the dynamics of the social welfare and the positive effects it had on the community at large.

Bagarmossen is a multi-cultural community hosting people from almost all over the world. The residence when asked by Bagis.nu says that they find it very conducive and friendly in Bagarmossen despite many negative and baseless rumours reproduced by non residence especially from inner city.
The cultural organization Bagis.nu asked children to make paper houses of all models found in Bagarmossen which were later displayed in the cultural school. Every house has its own unique story that gives Bagarmossen its own identity.

I took some pictures of the houses made made by our children and I think they are just amazing. Find them below.

In her narrative, Marica said that the residence of the first privately own town houses, built their own houses.
Marica also narrated how the workers worked not just to accumulate as much wealth as possible, like it is today, but to satisfy their needs.
Visit the link below to read more on bagis.nu.
Saidimu Ole Ngais

A Letter of Appreciation from Michael Lolwerikoi, On Behalf of Pastoral Indigenous Community Samburu East

Published by Cultural Survival.

Date: 05/10/2010 

“On behalf of the Pastoral Nomadic Indigenous Samburu Community of Northern Kenya: the local leaders, the elders, the counselors, the mothers, the children and our Member of Parliament, The Hon Raphael Letimalo, please accept our heartfelt indigenous greetings: Supa! We convey our gratitude to you and your team of experts for your visit to our pastoral region of Samburu East. We salute you for your courageous decision to lead a team to come and be with us and share our pains and traumatic experiences which we encountered through hands of powerful   aggressors. At a such time as this: time of agony, hopelessness and despair you came from a far country to meet us, sit with us, listen to our sad stories, witnessed the emptiness of our homes, and shared the tears and the sorrows of our pastoral community. Thank You!

Your courage and the risk of traveling by dirt and dusty roads is amazing to us! You came to be in solidarity with us. You had the courage to leave the comfort of your home in America. You and your team agreed to drink our dirty and contaminated waters from the Creeks. Thank You!

Your visit in the month of January 2010 has enriched our oral history and culture. As a result of brutal attack which happened to us in 2009 and 2010, we were literally left with nothing. Our only source of livelihood and identity, the cattle were taken away from us. Our houses which symbolize our cultural identity were burnt into ashes. Our women were tortured and abused. Our men were beaten, injured and others killed. Our young children disappeared mysteriously.

The brutal intrusion and the pollution of our land by the enemies of our culture and destiny have altered and dismantled our oral history. We shall never be the same again. The structural violence that has been done to us has constantly increased the level of our insecurity. We will never trust their administrative powers again.

We thank you for your documentation. We thank you for writing down the fatal impact and the confiscations of properties, the attack of our beloved ones, and the deliberate attack of our culture and identity. Through the power of this documentation, the Global world is now aware of our current limbo state.

We thank you for all the correspondences that have been submitted to those in authority. We hope they have eyes to see and ears to listen and the hearts of compassion and humane. We thank you for making all these appeals on our behalf.

At the moment, we have no gift of cattle to give you. But we have a treasured hidden gold that we can give you. This is our prayers and our cultural heritage. We pray that the Creator, EnKai will take care of you, your staff and your Board of Trustees.  We welcome you again to our pastoral land. Given the space and time of our communal harmony, please know that you have a place in our culture. You are no longer a stranger but one of us. Welcome!”

Michael Lolwerikoi

On Behalf of Pastoral Indigenous Community Samburu East

Lifted from Cultural Survival

 

 

SAMBURU FLOODS

My deepest heart felt sympathy goes to the families of the departed country men. May you be strong enough to fight the sorrow during this difficult times. You have surely paid the ultimate price for our poor planning, poor prediction, poor management.
I cannot fail to put all the blame not on the mother nature but on my government for poor governance! Government main duty is, to protect us! Even against floods

. Did you see any bridge there? what’s the urgency of crossing flooded rivers? those people left their homes, children and other family members waiting for the goat to be sold for them to eat. Do you see the urgency now? Infrastructure my fellow country man, Infrastructure for the Samburu People. Mind you, it is Samburu East, remember what happened to them the last one year? Letimalo, consolidate help from the country’s PM to ask the government to finance infrastructure projects in you jurisdiction.

SAMBURU FLOODS 1300HRS 16TH.mov

Such a tender land

The beauty of our Bagarmossen neighborhood.

Such a tender land

Photoman wants to share with you some of the fine sites that Spring season brings with it in Stockholm.  I documented part of it for I couldn’t just let it wither away with all that beauty! Some natural beauty just got to be immortalized even though seasons comes and go.

I know the long winter is coming soon so enjoy the Sun while it is still shining.  Go out and interact with nature before the long bitter winter season is here again.

I cannot imagine that this tender land can turn around and be a block of ice year after year!

Biking outing

Photo by Nalotuesha

One day before my 35th birthday, My family and I went out for a bike outing. Everybody was armored with full biking gear though some couldn’t help but to take a nap when the ride becomes too long.

In the picture above, My son and I waiting outside our local shopping mall while the other members of the biking team refilled our mobile logistic stores.

Ops! the one in the trailer had a helmet on his head before he dozed off. We had to release him from the bother of the helmet so that he could recollect himself.

Bagarmossen has one of the finest biking paths in Stockholm area. You can choose the woods at and terrains of Nacka reserve, the See shows away from traffic and city noise.

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I would like to extend my happiness to all of you who wished me the best as I celebrated by 35th year on this beautiful Globe that we all share.
Some of the secretly planned activities of the day included a Skyview journey to the Globe. Stockholm has one of the biggest Globe sitting on earth.

My Nalotuesha kept me in suspense about the carefully selected gift until we were close to the globe. She knows my passion on photography so she wanted to give me an opportunity to see different perspectives. She took me on a lift to the top of the Globe. Some pictures are posted below.

Although the weather was grey and drizzling, the child of the day was in all dimensions pleased that this day became a success.
For your information, to be of age (:) ) in the Maasai context is not attached to any negative assertion. It is such a blessing to be addressed as an elderly man of course, if you deserve the respect.
Remember, age is many a times exploited to demand respect from the youth by elderly people who may not know the value of equal respect to all.
As the Child of the day, the only advise I can dispatch is to know those elders who sincerely deserve respect and truly respect them. Let us stop allowing respect-less elders to abuse of human rights!
Thank you so much for all the greetings. You all mean a lot to me.
It is my day!
Ole Ngais.

The Anna-Lindh Kenyan Nursary School Support Party

party in Bagarmossen.

Published.Thursday, May 27, 2010

The support party which took place at the Swedish Church in Bagarmossen yesterday evening  was very well attended. Most of the attendees were native Swedes with Kenyans represented by about 10 solidarity filled individuals. Beatrice Lundgren with  her Anna–Lindh nursery school co-workers served good Kenyan food, Chai and a lot of inspiring speeches. It is challenging to have to  wish that Kenyans show more solidarity especially when children’s projects are involved. Besides,  It was an open dinner where anybody could come and pay 50 kronor for dinner  and hopefully every krona goes to the children’s school. We will do better next time. Group hunting is much giving that solo hunting. Just think about the Wolves!

I will soon upload video material and other photo snaps from the Anna-Lindh’s nursery school function.

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Anna-Lindh Kenyan Nursary School part 1

Anna-Lindh Kenyan Nursery School at Kambi Ya Moto in Nakuru. Fund-raising campaign.
Aim, to build and run the Kambi ya Moto nursery school for orphaned children.
If you want to participate, contact;
Association Anna Lindh Preschool: Kampi ya Moto, Kenya c / o Anne-Marie Wohlin Dalgårdsv. 28, 121 33 ENSKEDEDAL EN
Org.nr 802450-9229 Plusgiro 550920-3 Debit 621-6980 2010 0507

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya Moto Kenya

Troubadour entertains at Lindh's Kampi ya Moto Nursery Support Party part 2

Photo by photon.se

Anna-Lindh Kenya Nursery School support party in Bagarmossen.

Moses Troubadour mesmerized the audience with Kenyan music  as they enjoyed their meals at the support party dinner for the aid of the Kampi ya Moto Lindh school.

More information about the school can be obtained by calling Pastor Beatrice Kamau, Lars Asker or Ann-Marie Wohlin.

Published.Thursday, May 27, 2010

Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya Moto Kenya

Support party for the Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya Moto Kenya.

It is all our wish that next time when children of our beloved nation calls for education support, that we shall avail ourselves with full respect and dignity, to participate as agents of change and positive development. (See pictorial view of the support party here)

To strengthen the foundation of each and every child who looks upon us for a brighter future full of respect and dignity.

Our little differences should not stand on our way when we are planning for the future of our greater nation.

Children of one mother and father can fight and make peace at all times but their quarrels shouldn’t be permanent.

Our house can withstand future tremors if build on a stronger foundation.

The future belongs to those who plan and honestly prepare for it.

The look of things from outside surely tells the type of people we are. The pictures below shows how few Africans (Kenyans) were, during the support party. What more the pictures reveals is our inner-most selfishness and dishonesty towards each other.

Is it because we have been brought up in a dishonest system? Traditionally, most of us are drilled to be honest and truly belief in humanity. I am doubting if we are the same people anymore!

Kenyans, let us be self-aware! Let us criticize each other, let us analyze our ways and for the sake of our society, let us be mindful to our brethren.

We are demanded to put our differences aside when ever children are involved. The rights of children should be our priority.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

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Buy cement for the people of Gaza!

Shop a bag of Cement for Gaza

An important part of the cargo to Gaza is cement since Israel’s blockade entails a ban on bringing it in. Through a special contract we have the opportunity to buy a whole ton of concrete for only 500 Swedish crowns (50 euros). This is a great chance to contribute!

In Sweden, or via a Swedish bank abroad: Transfer 500 Swedish crowns (or 50 Euros) for each ton of cement you want to buy to the “Ship to Gaza” account Plusgirokonto 46359-6. Write “cement” on the payment as well as your name. The cargo will be accompanied by a list of everyone who has bought cement. From abroad, or via a foreign bank: Use SWIFT: NDEASESS, IBAN: SE92 9500 0099 6026 0046 3596.

Certain Internet banks, such as Swedbank, don’t allow long messages. In such cases, just write “cement” in the space for Message to recipient and send us an e-mail separately (info@shiptogaza.se) with a copy of the transfer and your name and we’ll put you on the list.

Link to source

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Image via Wikipedia

Swedish National Day

Although they love their culture, their language, traditions and their freedom, Swedes don’t really like to express their  national sentiments. Inany case, The national day is celebrated this days since

Read more from the locals below.

June 6th became Sweden’s official national day only 27 years ago, and it only became a national holiday in 2005. While there will be groups of proud Swedes found waving the blue and yellow flag at Stockholm’s Skansen, and town squares across the country, for many the day remains something of a non-event.

With the June 21st royal wedding of Crown Princess Victoria and Daniel Westling fast approaching this year’s national day however also coincides with the opening of Love Stockholm- a two week festival in cupid’s honour featuring concerts and other events building up to the wedding day itself.

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Well-wishers will have the opportunity to pen their message of goodwill at the Royal Palacethroughout Sunday, as well as take part in other activities including lectures, tours and concerts at the palace church – the venue of the wedding.

Daniel Westling will take part in national day celebrations for the first time this evening when he joins King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia and Crown Princess Victoria at Skansen in central Stockholm.

The royal cortège through the city will this year be somewhat extended in a dress rehearsal of the wedding procession.

National day is also an occasion for demonstrations, with far-right and anti-racist groups voicing their respective interpretations of the day, and of modern Swedish identity.

Despite the widespread nonchalance, Sweden’s national day celebrates events of significance equal to those in the US, France and elsewhere.

2010 marks the 487th anniversary of Gustav Vasa’s proclamation as Swedish king. Gustav Vasa’s reign was noteworthy for taking Sweden out of the Kalmar Union with Denmark, leading the Swedish break with the Catholic Church, and the founding of Sweden’s hereditary monarchy.

Read more from the source.

Lerata B issue and Archer’s livestock Market Police confrontation

Image of Lieven Ampe

5thJune 2010

On Sartuday 5th of June, 2010 a combined force of police and APs stormed a village in Kirish, Lerata maiming two warriors one a nursery school teacher from Leadekei and another from Lelukai family as well as former Lerata primary school headteacher Lelikoo. According to Kalama Conservancy’s accountant Mathew Orguba, the warriors are in stable condition admitted in Archer’s Health Care Center but were actually brutally handled.

Earlier in the same day, another troop of police confronted warriors in Archer’s livestock market to a near total clash. One warrior from Lenatini’s family was detained in Archer’s Police cells pending transfer to Lare in Igembe where the other 6 are held.

Police combed Archer’s town in search of more warriors and in one corner two of them bumped a group of troubled warriors and were ambushed and attacked. The two APs including a coplo were seriously beaten and wounded that prompted an emergency airlifting to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) in Nairobi. A gun was taken away but later returned without bullets.

Police have vowed total war against the warriors terming the attack as provocation. They warned any presence of a warrior in Archer’s town, will attract violence and a risk of shooting them down this has forced many warriors to shade off their traditional costumes putting on trousers and other civilian clothes to camouflage themselves within the rest of the public. They also cautioned that they will use helicopters to shower bombs in warriors hide outs in Sebashe and other areas. I still doubt if the government could go that far maiming and killing her people but it is not a wonder given the current situation anyway. We are afraid this could also interfere with the court proceedings in Lare because the hearing had already been adjourned to November returning the detainees back to remand for that long period pending hearing.

Lieven Ampe from Belgium has been following these stories closely and he is trying his best to let the European Union intervene. Tina Rame an American lady based in Lerata has been seeing all these police atrocities first hand since February 17th 2009 and made a lot of efforts of calling Cultural Survival(CS) people from the States to visit the victims on the ground taking accounts of the happenings. The Cultural Survival people have been writing to the two principals insisting a stop of police violence in Samburu East and that actually worked, we are baffled a new wave of police attacks started again in late May 2010 undermining the efforts of Waso peace caravan who are already hard at work on the ground since more than a month ago. If the reason behind this may be to bar the caravan from achieving peace in the area, we are still to know!! On Saturday, an international lawyer from America linked to Tina, Attorney Travis LaSalle with Samburu East MP Hon Letimalo were meeting Mr. Albert Lesootia a Samburu lawyer in pursuit of the victims of Lerata B issue and are hard at work to see what they can do to help the people of Samburu East for all cases since February 2009. He made a list of international and Kenya laws broken by police. For those who are friend of Tina in Facebook, check her note titled “Kenya and International Human Rights violations in Samburu East since February 2009”. For those who may not have access to this, I will post it in group’s discussion board.

The court proceedings of the Lerata B police atrocities victims continued yesterday and the charges were read to the 6 accused persons and they denied them accordingly. They were given mention and hearing dates of 12thJuly2010 and 1stNovember2010. They could not get earlier hearing dates as the court diary is said to be full. The accused have now been moved to prison remands where the condition are much better than the cells till then there is little Mr Albert can do. My plea to all well wishers is to see how little you can help the situation of Samburu East if only you can. Mr. Albert is very much in it and with no doubt I know he may require support here and there because he is the only lawyer fighting powerful forces and influence of rich Mount Kenya politicians who have also been called Mount Kenya mafias and other suspect politicians of our neighboring districts.

I would also want the world to know the Waso peace caravan is doing what is right at the moment, and the only way to end tribal skirmishes in the region which is caused by cattle rustling as the epicenter of all these problems. Once cattle rustling is stopped completely, and a preaching of peace and understanding continues, then our area can be turned from a small Gaza to Canaan the promised land.

Thanks

Tom Lolosoli
Secretary
SEDF

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Narok University, First ever in Maasailand/KENYA

Image of Bishop Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Dear family and friends
Never under estimate the power of prayer;
1969- Young men prayed and fasted for maasailand,That the Lord would
remember us that the Lord would give us churches, high schools ,
Colleges since it seemed we were being left further and further behind
 4 maasai young men in Nairobi Pentecostal  Bible College; Paul Ole
Kisoso, David Ole Namunter, William Ole Sororonyi and I, I remember
praying under a tree on a hill for 4 days. Nothing significant
happened then and many years later until the last two years ago. We
got our first ever University!. The Narok university Principle,
Professor Serem and Dean Professor Seno, Mr Solomon Ole
Muntet,(Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Narok University).
were guests of  Clemson University, one of the best universities  in
the  US located here in the south

At Clemson University they asked me to speak,and  as I stood to speak
It occurred to me that this is a prayer come true. All of a sudden I
was overcome with emotion and could hardly speak!, I saw some
professors wiping tears including professor Ken of Clemson University.
 Just the wonder of Gods goodness!
 Please Pray

I just had a telephone conversation with Mr. Solomon Ole Muntet He
just arrived back home in Kenya after the  long journey to US.
Mr Muntet who is a born again and committed christian spend a night
with us before leaving the US asked me to ask all my friends to pray
for the success of the young University that many would come forth and
help build hostels etc etc.and the overall success of the institution.
He also reiterated the request for prayer when I called him.
I Also was able to call Rev. Paul Kisoso and reminded him of our
prayer and fasting and I have to confess we both forgot we were the
brave maasai who never show tears but who  cares. This time I can cry
if I want to and I did.
Mr Muntet we all back you in prayer Please keep the good work going
and may God grant you and all of us victory because this College is a
blessing not only to us maasai but to all Kenyans and an added light
to Africa
Blessed be the name of the Lord who hears prayers
Blessed be the Lord our God who is not limited by time or space
Truly God is the God of the forgotten
–

–
Bishop
Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

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SAPA official launch

By Francis Lemoile
Samburu Profesionals Association (SAPA) official launch

On 12th june 2010 SAPA meeting was called for at 680 hotel. The turn-up was a bit low, not as was expected. Issues agreed upon is launching of SAPA at Samburu on 3rd of July 2010. The planning committee with a number of volunteering members will be meeting at Savanna hotel every Tuesday starting on 15th June 2010 to the launching dates to do the planning. All caravans will be meeting at Hon. Nderitus board room, Teleposter house, 11th floor, on every Wednesday. A proposal of 5.4 billion was forwarded to the president by all the pastoral communities MPs (26 constituencies) and professional officials and the first batch of Kshs 2.6 Billion was approved and allocated in the current read budget.

Waso peace Caravan report.

Image via Wikipedia

 

By Richard lolosoli

Waso peace caravan was launched two months ago as the last cluster of several other peace caravans like Suguta valley, Laikipia, Tinka Mara, Pokot peace caravan, name it. It has been successful from the beginning when the first introduction meeting attended by Samburu professionals was initiated in Sarova Panafric hotel followed by Nyeri Leg 1 and Leg 2 Green Hills hotel workshops. What followed is day 1 in field at Shokaa in Archer’s Post for grassroots introduction. On day 1 in field, all communities’ representatives’ party to caravan were invited to send the message back home that the Waso peace entourage will stream to their areas soon preaching peace.

Waso peace caravan (WPC) has achieved enormous strides in its quest to see to it that peace is a reality amongst the Samburus ,Rendiles,Borana,Turkana,Somalis and Merus communities.

WPC covers Isiolo, Laisamis, Samburu East and Igembe districts in its efforts of preaching peace. Initial workshops for professionals and Elders at Nairobi and Nyeri prepared the professionals well.

We have so far had two field visits. We have visited Lerata, Sereolipi, Laisamis, Gotu, Merti, Lare in Meru,Ngare Ntare, Daapa and Kulamawe in Isiolo.

Our visits have been greatly supported by Development Alternatives Initiatives (DAI) incorporation. And we say a BIG THANK YOU to this organization.

In every visit and engagements; There is a common denominator in the message we get from all this communities-That they need PEACE. They need to sit down and take care of the little livestock left behind by the famine and perennial raids. The Samburus want to reach to their Borana counterparts, Somalis want to graze their camel with Turkanas peacefully in Isiolo area. Borana want to go back to Losesia and graze together with Samburus just the same way they used to do in the early 80s.The Rendiles are singing the same song. Merus want to be left in peace as they go about their businesses.

Elders from all this communities have appreciated this initiative and really supportive.

Challenges-
I/We have been asked questions that we are unable to address in these meetings.
1. What are the alternative solutions to cattle rustling amongst the warriors?
2. What are the warriors going to do after conversion?
3. Some funds to support them individually or as groups?
4. Employments within the government?
5. What are the dividends coming with this peace? Adult education program?

We don’t know what to say as we are only peace makers.

Success-
1/caravan members managed to seek audience with his Excellency President Mwai Kibaki. Memorandum and a budget of Kshs 5.8B was presented to the President as a dividend that will come with peace in the 32 pastoral districts. This was forwarded to the Permanent Secretary (PS) Finance to ensure the developmental issues addressed are factored in the current Budget. There will be a follow-up meeting sometimes in July with the President on this.

I welcome all professionals who are interested to come on board. We are very few and we need more professionals to engage the communities at local level. The caravan is moving; you only need to jump in and get converted.

We need to preach peace to our People.

*************************************

A cocktail photo of peace caravan can be found in group’s photos or recent wall post

 

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Effects of negative change and drug abuse among Maasai elites

Saningo’s informative lessons to the Maasai youth and (ELITES) on the effects of negative change in the society, social injustices, identity and the dignity of persons.
An awakening gospel song of the reality most of the Maasai youth are going through.

The cultural degeneration and passiveness of our youth in matters that gravely matters to them and their society. The you indulgent in Miraa abuse forgetting their duty to society.( Miraa=Amphetamine).
Please read below the definition of Miraa and its effects on a human body according to the Kenyan National Campaign Against Drug Abuse Authority (NACADA AUTHORITY) in Kenya.
The campaign towards a drug free society was established by legal notice no. 140. and ratified in parliament in 2007.

Below is the definition of Miraa according to the Kenya National Agency for the Campaign Against Drugs (NACADA)

Miraa Abuse
What is Miraa?

· Miraa is a plant whose fresh leaves and soft twigs are chewed to release a juice containing cathinone and cathine, the active chemicals that alter the mood of the abuser.

· Consumers also refer to miraa using less familiar names such as Khat, Veve, Muguka, Guks, Gomba, Mbachu, Mairungi, Alele, Giza or Halwa.

· Chewing miraa causes serious problems to your body especially in the longer term.

· Miraa is a prohibited substance in some countries and in international sports. You are automatically disqualified from participating in international tournaments such as the Olympic Games and World Cup Football if detected to have used miraa.

Effects on your health

· Miraa has similar but less intense effects than the stimulating effects of cocaine.

· Upon chewing, you experience an unusual feeling of excitement and alertness. You may talk too much, lose concentration on simple tasks or even forget simple facts.

· Chewing miraa causes rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, symptoms that are sometimes confused with increased sexual libido or stamina.

· When chewed continually, miraa gives you chronic constipation since it causes dehydration.

· Using miraa to stay awake places you in danger of causing harm through accidents. When your body suddenly goes to sleep due to accumulated sleep deprivation, you can cause road traffic or factory accidents thereby inflicting damage to life and property.

Effects on your reproduction

· The claim that chewing miraa increases your sexual libido is a myth. Instead, evidence suggests that miraa inhibits blood flow to the reproductive system.

· Chewing miraa constricts the vessels supplying blood to the reproductive tract thereby causing inhibited urine flow, and in men, the inability to attain and sustain an erection.

· The chemicals in miraa make your body to produce excessive amounts of sperm without you being sexually aroused. The sperms ooze out uncontrollably, a condition known as spermatorrhoea. In extreme cases, men are forced to wear nappies or several underpants.

· In women, the dehydrating effect of miraa dries the lining of the reproductive tract leading to pain during sexual intercourse and blistering. The micro-injuries can cause reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

Chewing miraa during pregnancy decreases blood flow to uterus, disrupting flow of nutrients from your bloodstream to the unborn baby.

Saidimu Ole Ngais

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THE CASE OF THE MISSING FINGER
Dear family and friends there’s a Swahili saying “Kikulacho ki nguoni
mwako” What ails you may be hidden in your own clothes
Psalm 14:1 (Read all of Psalm 14)

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt,
they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

I was 4 or five years old, had just learned to count 12345…..by
using my fingers I had practiced all day long.
That night I don’t know what woke me up but while the rest of the
house was asleep I was practicing to count with my right hand there in
my bed in pitch darkness.
There was only one problem; I HAD A MISSING FINGER!!

When I counted them early they were five but this time no matter how
many times I count them I get only FOUR?!..(I was using my thumb to
count the rest of the fingers..) get it.? I forgot to count the thumb!

I let out a sobbing shout; “Mama,mamaaa! My finger is missing”!
All the siblings woke up and scrambled towards me, Dad and Mom woke
up and called Phyllys to go check on their odd child. Phyllys burst
into the room with the Kerosene lamp, with shaking hands quickly
grabbed my hand, didn’t see any wound or blood, she counted the
fingers.

They were all there.! A mixture of fear and anger and relief came out
with her words; Are you crazy?, Yeiyo, (Mama) they are all there he
must have been counting wrong” , she said. Everyone went back to their
snoring but I knew the family will never forget this one.!

Today I called home in Kenya.
There was a family re union for fellowship Rev Joshuah passed the
phone to all those who were present and I was able to greet and
exchange niceties with each one of them until it came to Phyllis
Naimutie my eldest sister…You know that one who always plays
‘mother’ no matter how old you are.
Naimutie is the second born in the family. Teaching was her profession
she taught us all to speak English,to count 1,2, 3 to 10,Shed say;
“Ero wou ene. “Boy,come here” in maasai she’d speak in a commanding
voice. Power that had been endowed to her by the two major generals;
‘My mother and father’. She’d always check my fingernails,my hair in
the morning before I went to school at Oloolua primary and if it was
not combed she took that torture chamber implement called the comb and
and gave me my daily portion of pain and suffering by mercilessly
combing my hair. Well today she was on the other side of the phone
10,000 miles away and guess what? After we exchanged greetings she
lowered the boom on me by asking me “Did you ever find the missing
finger”?!

I could hear the burst of laughter from the rest of the family
through the phone all the way from Kenya to United States Of America.

Funny isn’t it? Yet at that moment it was so real (The fool hath said
in his heart,) I had miscalculated and convinced myself that my finger
is missing…( The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. )

Yes sometimes we are controlled by the worries and fears of what we
see around us that we fail to see the presence of the living loving
God

song; Because he live I can face tomorrow, Because he lives
All Fear Is Gone………

–
Bishop
Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

Papaledig- det är inte sant.. Jag jobbar ju!

Papa ledighet…. det är inte alls sant! Papa jobbar mera än han gör när han jobba med betald arbete. Vi tycker att termen papaledig ska ändras till papajob arbete eller nåt i den vinkel 
They say that paternity ( only exist in Sweden?-and I love it more than anything else) leave is a time for a father to be free but that is not true! The leave requires the father to be fully committed to child care just as if they are working in the office or in a child care institution.

Ngais on Papaledig/paternity leave

Papaledig
Play Video Comment

Paternity leave and World Cup

Bagarmossen Playing ground.

The world cup is really getting hot and with Ghana as the only black nation remaining to join other powerful nations to fight for advancement to the semi finals from the quarter finals. I would really like to take this opportunity to thank the BLACK STARS of Africa for making the entire Continent proud. Where would we be if it were not for your strength and perseverance?
We should all fight like you and protect our pride, our dignity our identity and above all, claim the right to self determination. We expect that the entire African Union will provide a heavy financial present card to the Ghanaians for a well done job.
It’s good to give incentives if we would improve football games in Africa. Why should it we be wining when we produce a lot of international strikers, defenders goal keepers mild fielders wings and runners of all kinds? Why are we poor in group hunting?
We expect to be able to hunt together and share the kill?
Anyways, it’s good that FIFA schedule starts from 1600 hours so that those who are on parental leave can get some time to play outside with their kids. Also that many people work between nine and five so they’ll be able to catch up with the first half of the games if they drive really first and careful, avoid heavy traffic on their way home or follow the games on their wireless gadgets.
I know many fathers in Sweden have strategically taken their parental (paternity) leave to coincide with the World cup games..
My case is of course different! My wife planned my parental leave but to my surprise, she confirmed with the stereo-types about fathers games and parental leave. The few fathers who chose to take their parental leave do that so that they combine it with either world cup Olympics or any other popular games! My case is of course very different…
Saidimu Ole Ngais

Referendum Campaign is not General Elections

A referendum campaign is now almost on its peak with just about a month to go before 4thAugust2010 when the country will go to the ballot voting by accepting or rejecting the proposed draft. The greens and reds are hard at work on the ground spreading their message. This has taken the headlines of major newspapers, radio and TV stations. Unlike in 2005 when the symbols of banana for YES and oranges for NO were playing a major role in the campaigns, this time round, the Green traffic light for YES and Red traffic light for NO seems to have been overshadowed by the real color names.

Referendum may only come ones and possibility of seeing another one after rejection of the draft for a second time is very slim and that could mean Kenyans will forget about the new constitution for possibly another century. We could be a country that still carries its Stone Age constitution to the modern and industrializing future. General elections recur after every five years for the public to make another choice for their leaders but not referendum. Any attempt to take the draft back for amendment would mean exposing it to mutilation by people with personal and selfish interests that would bring more confusion to Kenyans hence discarding the whole thing to the dust bin.

Constitution making is expensive, delicate and a near rocket science process that would mean bringing all opinionated political parties of Kenya to a consensus, conforming with individuals and public demands of different economic and literacy class as well as tribal, minorities and gender subjects. It would also mean bringing churches, Muslims, NGOs and foreign forces interest to a fair deal and agreement among an array of confusing matrices of striking balance to move forward during the challenging course. We laud the committee of experts (CoE) for having weathered this horrendous storm that shook Bomas to the ground that saw the 2005 proposed draft undergoing several metamorphosis from Bomas-Naivasha accord – Kilifi draft – to so called Wako draft hitting a wall because the final copy of the draft never reflected the original version of the public plea but of those in power then. We saw billions of shillings factored in this exercise and it will be insane to trash the document after tax payer’s money having been spent that heavily.

Currently we are talking of 3 contentious issues (Huge chunks of idle private land, Kadhi courts and abortion clauses), but when we will make a mistake of rejecting the draft for further amendments, I will also have my own opinion to make leave alone the MPs because we know they have more than 180 problems for amendments that they failed to table in parliament when they lacked majority vote to take the draft back for further probing. This will open the draft to 40 million Kenyans and interested foreigners for further scrutiny that will derail the focus of the 3 contentious issues mutilating the draft and that will be the end of the road to a new constitution in the near future. We will remain with status quo and the gap of the rich and the poor will continue to be galactic. Unlike general elections where we wait for five years to punish our underperforming leaders by replacing them with new ones, the referendum is unlikely to come that soon and for the current case, the government will be tired and forget about it because of cost implications.

AMENDMENTS
It is sad that many friends and opinionated people don’t understand that we have what we call ‘AMENDMENTS’. If anyone is afraid that there will be know option of correcting or enhancing the constitution where necessary after it passes in the oncoming referendum, then you are at the dark and mistaken. If for example the issue of abortion will be abused by women by bribing doctors to sign a certificate of abortion by faking that a pregnancy was putting a woman’s life at risk, then a concerned MP will rise up and present a bill to ban abortion to the speaker’s office. From there the bill will be tabled in house and debated after which there will be voting by MPs. If the bill wins majority votes from MPs, the president will have to append his signature soon after the bill passes on the floor of the house to make it a law and the abortion clause will be modified to reflect the passed bill ‘banning it’. This will be the same for any other clauses that would bring friction to people’s life. Our constitution shall also grow depending with times and the challenges we undergo in future. If in future the whole of Africa get united and form United States of Africa, then if that clause of integration doesn’t exist, it will be added through the legal process of parliament.

CURRENT CHALLENGES
As you can see from the previous article ‘SAMBURU COUNTY GOVERNMENT’, there will be reduction of poverty by inter-stellar margins. By comparing a budget of Kshs 160M to 3.4 B per year, you get a sigh of relief. Let us not be selfish by thinking that those who would be close to power will benefit, but if so, there will be trickling effect that would still reach to the bottommost poor.

Take an example of the recent floods of Seiya River that claimed about 13 lives in just one week. If you go to our council at the moment pushing the clerk to construct a link or bridge across the river, the first thing you will here is that there is no money. That tourism was low and we had no returns and our budget of Kshs 100M has a deficit of Kshs 27M and waiting for local authority transfer fund (LATF) which is only Kshs 9M.

If you go to DCs office in the office of District roads Engineer under the ministry of roads and public works, you will be told according to the budget we are operating in, there is no money for doing that unless you wait for next year’s budget and for your case to be factored in you need Permanent Secretary’s approval and you get referred to Nairobi. When you get to Nairobi seeing the PS, getting appointment only . . . takes you a week. When you later succeed to see him and narrate stories about Samburu, he just doesn’t click or figure out what you are talking about. Because the PS was a son of a rich minister in Kenyatta’s government and studied in US and Japan all his life and the pictures he sees is underground train tunnel, 8 lanes super highway, coffee at McDonalds and here you are struggling to talk about the Samburu who drinks blood because there is no enough milk, a bridge in Lolkuniani in the semi arid desert of hopelessness damn it the PS start asking where do Samburu live in Isiolo? At the end of the day you get a wide berth and the suffering of the people continue. This is what our desperate MPs undergo.

OUR BENEFITS
Think of Samburu county government with kshs 3.4B! And let us continue taking the example of Seiya River. If a councilor of Seiya area takes a group of elders from his community and summons the governor in his office in Maralal county hall, and present their plea for bridge construction which will only cost Kshs 5M and takes 4 months to complete , the governor will understand what they are talking about. He will even go out with them visiting the scene and immediately put the right tools into work. The following week you will see a constructor and project underway.

WHY? Because a governor is a son or daughter of Samburu, s/he knows what an old Samburu lady or man undergoes as well as Samburu women, morans and school children. Any plea forwarded to him, s/he will picture it right and know what best to do to solve our problems. With enough disposal of money, we can have our Canaan. The governor will build Samburu, school our children and the future will start taking care of itself.

Many unemployed people will be directly or indirectly secure vacancies slots that will come with more funding to our county government. Since our budget will grow more than 22 times, the current staff under the payroll of our county council will also grow by bigger margins about 15 times or more and counting. The employment pattern will span the whole county not just in Maralal only. Contractors from various sectors of economy be it construction, IT, External editors, environmentalists name it will get more business at home than in any other place in the country. Those workers that feel are laid upon in Nairobi and in any other towns of the country will finally find their place at home.

Samburu will be lucky because we only have about 300,000 people in population with may be three constituencies in future and getting the same allocation of money like for example Meru county government with 1.3 million people with about 6 constituencies. That is where our luck is. That means we will benefit about five times than a Merian in Meru County.

ESTIMATION OF DEVELOPMENT FUNDING FROM CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

County Government Kshs 3.2 B
County Government Revenues Kshs 200M

3 constituencies with an average of Kshs 200M CDF = Kshs 600M

=======================
Average total Kshs 4 B per year
=======================

The choice is yours, JISOMEE, JIAMULIE kicha JICHAGULIE

Thanks

Tom Lolosoli
Secretary
SEDF

Summer view 2010

Some changes

I know am not supposed to be sitting here this time of the hour, but I just wanted to let you know that we’ve been working on some layout improvement on our site. The current layout provides more flexibility on the working area, than the one we had before.

Some changes on the site.

It is easy to navigate since you have a wide view of almost all sections on one page. It seems like this is what we’ve been looking for. We’ve had some issues with the other theme when loading latest content.

Most of the time, you had to make it sticky for it to appear on the top as latest content, which was really frustrating.

Well, Good things always comes afterwards.

Thank you for visiting and kindly drop us a word on what you think about our new look. Remember you can use video-cam or voice recorder directly from your computer to the blog.

It is 05-51 and I still have to get some sleep.

Saidimu Ole Ngais

Happy birthday President Obama

The nation that gave birth to  a President,  for what is the different between a father and a son? The day the  Nation herself  is reborn and restored.. As the people of Kenya speaks and decides on their fate for they have been empowered by the almighty and endowed with with the might to shape their destiny!

Happy birthday President Obama on your 49th birthday.  May you wake up tomorrow and find a new Kenya that shares her National Cake with God’s children belonging to this mighty nation!

We pray for you as you pray for us President. This globe shall be proud of us too, that we are people with decency and that we can make wise decisions. Our children shall not laugh at our legacy and see us as the ignorant lot that did nothing but bring down the nation and jeopardize their future! YES WE CAN! WE can together pass this referendum and gain true independence in Kenya!

We evoke the spirit of Obama and all other fathers of this nation who went to seep as sad men due to the mistreatment they received from our injustice and poor governance. We pray that they souls shall see us through this night as we await for the referendum results and through the entire process. We shall  peacefuly engage the task force to lay the foundation of a new and well planned Kenya.

The spirits of those freedom fighters shall soon rest in peace as they listen to the voice of the living emerging from the shackles of slavery and restoring their nation. Poverty, disease, ignorance and poor governance shall soon be history.

We shall emerge out winners!

Happy birthday President.

The future belongs to us and this is our time.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Pictures from Midsummer 2010.

Our summer holiday pics as we shows our brother what Swedes are made of. Swedes have their way of celebrating everything including Christmas, Pasaka summer and of course fall and Winter. They do it their own way different from their fellow EU members. It makes them unique and special in a way.

Photo by Ole Ngais

From Midsummer 2010 Skanssen

From Midsummer 2010 Skanssen

Watch Slide show

Skansen: Mid-summer 2010

Skansen is a cultural Manyatta where Swedes sell their culture to both local and international tourists.

'Yes' team declares referendum victory

Download Kenyan Constitutional draft below

Happy birthday Kenya! This are moments we have been waiting for, moments when Kenyans can wake up to a Kenya that is free from the British Colonial oppressive Constitution. This is the moment that Kenyans have been fighting for. Now the country is on our hands! let us now make a better country out of it. It is never too late.

Happy birthday Kenyans and happy birthday Kenya.

Kenya Constitutional draft is now passed by people’s vote on August 4th 2010. To re-read and master the Constitution press the link that follows hereafter. draft.constitution

‘Yes’ team declares referendum victory

The ‘Yes’ team has declared referendum victory, as the Interim Independent Electoral Commission cautioned both Yes and No camps against declaring provisional results.

Addressing a news conference at Bomas of Kenya, they extended an olive branch to their ‘No’ rivals to work together with them in implementing a good constitution.The Yes camp leaders described the vote as a breathtaking victory for all Kenyans, adding that it marked the birth of a new republic.

“We celebrate this victory with grace. It is a victory for all Kenyans.” said Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, who read a statement on behalf of the team.

Addressing the news conference, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi led a team of cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament in the ‘Yes’ team in calling for unity among Kenyans in the post-referendum period.

“A new republic is with us. It is a new Kenya. Yesterday was history,” they said in the statement.

The group said: “Let us embrace one another because the new constitution is designed for all of us,” said Mr Mudavadi.

Provisional results by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission currently stand at 4,181,075 votes for the Yes team and 2,072,710 for the No team. The official final tally will not be available until later, as the commission has only so far certified the results of 75 out the 210 constituencies in the country, slightly over a third of the total votes.

On Thursday, a statement posted by the official Government spokesman said President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga would address the nation regarding the outcome of the referendum later in the day, noting however, that this was tentative, in anticipation of the formal announcement of the results by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

Source Daily Nation Kenya

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

HomeKenya Referendum KENYA REFERENDUM Obama, Annan laud Kenyans over new Constitution

HomeKenya Referendum

By KEVIN KELLY in New York and NATION reporter
Posted Friday, August 6 2010 at 09:15

US President Barack Obama has lauded Kenyans for voting in a new Constitution at a referendum held

on Wednesday August 5, 2010. Photo/FILE

US President Barack Obama has lauded Kenyans for voting in a new Constitution at a referendum held on Wednesday.

He congratulated “the Kenyan people and government on the holding of a peaceful, transparent and credible constitutional referendum”.

Mr Obama called the voting “a significant step forward for Kenya’s democracy,” adding that “the peaceful nature of the election was a testament to the character of the Kenyan people”.

The landslide victory for the Yes side “reflects the desire of the Kenyan people to put their country on a path toward improved governance, greater stability, and increased prosperity,” the US leader said in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Obama pledged the support of the United States, “as Kenya’s close friend and partner,” in implementing the new constitution.

He said the US will “stand with the Kenyan people as they reach for a better future”.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also commended Kenya on the conduct and outcome of the referendum.

Noting that two-thirds of voters had supported the proposed constitution, Mrs Clinton said “this is an indication that a very strong majority of Kenyans have voted for fundamental change”.

Releasing the official referendum results on Thursday, the chairman of the IIEC Ahmed Isaack Hassan said that Yes garnered 5,954, 767, representing 67.25 per cent of the vote while No got a total 2, 687, 193 (30.25pc).

At the same time, The Panel of Eminent African Personalities said it was “greatly encouraged by the successful conclusion of the referendum on Kenya’s new constitution”.

The Panel said the high voter turnout, at 71 per cent, reflected Kenyans’ desire to shape its future.

“The result of the referendum, published by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) on 5 August, suggests that Kenyans have voiced their overwhelming support for a new constitution and the opportunity it provides to end the country’s decades-long quest for a better governance architecture,” The Panel said in a statement.

The Panel, which was instrumental in brokering a peace deal at the height of Kenya’s post election violence brought by a disputed presidential election, said there “are no winners or losers in this referendum”.

“It is Kenya itself that has triumphed!”

The Kofi Annan-led Panel praised President Kibaki and Prime Minister for their leadership in the constitutional review process and called for the implementation of reforms.

“We commend the two Principals for their stewardship of the and congratulate the Government and the people of Kenya for this momentous step. We urge all involved to honour their commitments to the outstanding reforms envisaged under Agenda Item 4 of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process.”

US President Barack Obama has lauded Kenyans for voting in a new Constitution at a referendum held on Wednesday.He congratulated “the Kenyan people and government on the holding of a peaceful, transparent and credible constitutional referendum”.Mr Obama called the voting “a significant step forward for Kenya’s democracy,” adding that “the peaceful nature of the election was a testament to the character of the Kenyan people”.The landslide victory for the Yes side “reflects the desire of the Kenyan people to put their country on a path toward improved governance, greater stability, and increased prosperity,” the US leader said in a statement on Thursday.Mr Obama pledged the support of the United States, “as Kenya’s close friend and partner,” in implementing the new constitution.He said the US will “stand with the Kenyan people as they reach for a better future”.Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also commended Kenya on the conduct and outcome of the referendum.Noting that two-thirds of voters had supported the proposed constitution, Mrs Clinton said “this is an indication that a very strong majority of Kenyans have voted for fundamental change”.Releasing the official referendum results on Thursday, the chairman of the IIEC Ahmed Isaack Hassan said that Yes garnered 5,954, 767, representing 67.25 per cent of the vote while No got a total 2, 687, 193 (30.25pc).At the same time, The Panel of Eminent African Personalities said it was “greatly encouraged by the successful conclusion of the referendum on Kenya’s new constitution”.The Panel said the high voter turnout, at 71 per cent, reflected Kenyans’ desire to shape its future.”The result of the referendum, published by the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) on 5 August, suggests that Kenyans have voiced their overwhelming support for a new constitution and the opportunity it provides to end the country’s decades-long quest for a better governance architecture,” The Panel said in a statement.The Panel, which was instrumental in brokering a peace deal at the height of Kenya’s post election violence brought by a disputed presidential election, said there “are no winners or losers in this referendum”.”It is Kenya itself that has triumphed!”The Kofi Annan-led Panel praised President Kibaki and Prime Minister for their leadership in the constitutional review process and called for the implementation of reforms.”We commend the two Principals for their stewardship of the and congratulate the Government and the people of Kenya for this momentous step. We urge all involved to honour their commitments to the outstanding reforms envisaged under Agenda Item 4 of the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation process.”

Source: Daily Nation.

Ole Makesen and others

Photos sent to diasporakenyan by uncle GK Ole Putunoi from the Irkisaruni’s women blessing July 2010 ceremony.

Credit. Photo taken by GK Putunoi (and others?)

Jane and Ng’otonye Putunoi

Siankikin oo Irkisaruni from Il-polei. The crucial moments where you are put to task to select the best part of your culture to be preserved and maintained and drop the retrogressive and oppressive part.

The Maasai culture which has gone through a lot of transformation is gradually giving in to reforms and like everything else, I think it is due time for the conservatives to embrace change and update our culture.

Women like the ones in the picture above are highly educated. Some of them are registered nurses from the Kenyan Medical training colleges but still they choose to play part in keeping the motivating and progressive portion of our collective identity.

Like many of us, the ladies above do not fear to call for change among the Maasai people and they can use themselves as a good example to show the community that change and progressiveness does not equal loosing our collective identity. It does not mean “getting lost”

To me, the ladies above are pretty much Maasai girls just as any other tradition conservative Siankikin (young adult female) out in oltiak

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

The hand of darkness has stolen one of the sherpherds

Psalm 116:15 (Read all of Psalm 116)
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

The hand of darkness has stolen one of the sherpherds
Gunmen shoot bishop Joseph Segel dead.

Gunmen shot dead a bishop in a midnight raid at a church in Nairobi’s
outskirts on Sunday.Bishop Joseph Segel of the Redeemed Church, Ongata
Rongai was shot twice in the chest as he attempted to block the
attackers from entering the church.

http://www.diasporamessenger.com/

The founder of Redeemed Church Bishop Arthur Kitonga (who installed
Bishop Segel) and I graduated from the same Bible college (Nairobi
Penticostal Bible College) and I was actually at the founding of this
church because I held a crusade for him at the Mathare Valley
Bishop Segel though loved by many tribes is a maasai.

The bible says ;
Psalm 116:15 (Read all of Psalm 116)
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
That is to say his death is not in vain

Work Must Go On The Lord says;……

Psalm 50:5 (Read all of Psalm 50)
Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant
with me by sacrifice.

Serving the Lord is the ultimate sacrifice; Look at our Lord hanging
on the cross, ask St Stephen, as he is being stoned, Ask Shadrack
Meshack and Abednego.
Does evil always prevail?
Sorry to disappoint satan the answer is NO These shepherds have a very
protective Boss-The Lord! and he says this;

1 Chronicles 16:22 (Read all of 1 Chronicles 16)
Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm…….

2 Chronicles 6:41 (Read all of 2 Chronicles 6)
Now therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou, and the
ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed with
salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness
Bishop Segel left a wife and two young ones
Let us remember them in prayer and the congregations whom we are sure
are hurting

–

Bishop
Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

Photoman on Flickr

Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Sven weds Margaret. Part 1

Sven and Margaret’s wedding was very well attended. The ceremony took place on July 3rd 2010 at St: Clara’s Church in Stockholm. Photo session was at the Hellasgården and thereafter the reception at Skarpnäck Church. I would like to commend Osewe for his organising skills. He took the burden off from my shoulders and ensured that the subjects were in the right place leaving me to only handle the camera and play with light. I am sure most of my camera colleagues felt the same. Normally, it is us who must arrange the subjects a duty which sometimes may steal some concentration from the Photoman depending on the occassion.
Sven and Margaret’s wedding photos will soon be ready but so far I would like to share a number of them with all of you who are interested. If you want a copy, get in touch with Photoman to get your DVD copy. Kindly mail me at photome@photoman.se or just call me at 0737420566.
I have a huge archive of individuals or families professional photos which I intend to dispatch to you the soonest I know you cannot resist to pay a supportive fee for them.
Call Photoman immediately, if you think I have been focussing my D5000 Nikon on your/family’s direction, and you feel you can depart with a few Krona’s for your family’s pictorial history in Diaspora.
You are permitted to download the photos below for your own use free of charge. They don’t bear my copyright symbol. You may use them in whichever way you want as long as you respect people’s privacy and display them in a very respective light.
I have more than 2500 copies some of which even the most advanced photographers gave very positive comments.:)
It feels good to be part of the crew that seek to record our history.

Follow the link to see more pictures
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

CHANGES IN THE LAND POLICY IN THE NEW CONSTITUTION

By Dominic Leparmarai
SEDF Legal Adviser

In our last article on land we are going to look at policy changes in the draft constitution on the land. This policy changes touches on; current 999 years leasehold, Land acreage, Tax on idle land and National Land Commission.

To give little historical background, first Anglo-Maasai Agreement was signed between Lenana, the Maasai traditional leader, and the British Government in 1904. It forced the Maasai to vacate their lands in Suswa, Naivasha, Ol-Joro-Orok, and Ol-Kalau areas to southern Ngong and Laikipia reserves “to be used by the Government for purposes of European settlement”. In 1911, the Maasai were made to sign a second agreement, which led to their eviction from Laikipia to southern Ngong reserves, incurring heavy losses in terms of human life and livestock. It is estimated that by 1914, nearly five million acres of land had been taken away from indigenous Kenyans mostly the Maasai. In an article titled, “Who Owns Kenya”, by Standard Newspaper, Friday, 1 October, 2004 it was reported that the increasing land crises in the country will be difficult to solve because the most powerful people in the country are also among its biggest land owners. A residual class of White settlers and a group of former and current power brokers in the three post-independence regimes, a few businessmen and farmers, many with either current or past political connections, own hundreds of thousands of acres of land.

As observed by the article, most of the holders of the huge parcels of land are concentrated within the 17-20 percent part of the country that is arable, such that more than a half of the arable land in the country is in the hands of only 10 percent of the 40 million Kenyans. That leaves up to 29 percent of the population absolutely landless while another 60 percent on average own less than 1.0 hectare of land. While according to National Development Plans, 2001-2008 Pastoral activities occupy 70 percent of Kenya’s land mass area, and support 25 percent of the human population and 50 percent of all livestock.

It is then important to note that less than 20 percent of the land in Kenya is high potential and accommodates about 70 percent of the population. The result is landlessness and squatting both in rural and urban areas. This has also led to congestion, parceling of land to uneconomic units, and often to ethnic conflicts particularly in the pastoral areas.

It is in the light of these historical injustices that far reaching reforms in the land were formulated in the draft constitution. The National Land Policy recently approved by Cabinet, introduces far-reaching reforms that will go hand in hand with proposals in draft constitution paving way for resolution of perennial land problems, and redress historical injustices inherited from the colonial administration. Major highlights of the new policy include barring non-citizens from absolute ownership of land and subjecting them to a leasehold system. The policy gives the Government powers to reclaim grabbed public land, tax idle land, and reduce all leaseholds to 99 years.

HIGHLIGHTS:

999 YEAR LEASEHOLD TO 99 YEARS

It is important to note that Kenya is the only country in the world that gives foreigners a land lease of 999 years while at the Coast there were those who had been given a lease of 10,000 years. The article: 65. Of proposed constitution Call for the maximum period to hold freehold land to decreased from 999 to 99 years, and a person who is not a citizen may hold land on the basis of leasehold tenure only. This means that as soon as the new draft become effective, all that land on 999-year lease will automatically revert to 99 years.

It is then here lies the worries of those big landowners in Laikipia, Naivasha and Nakuru whose leases started in 1911 as their leases will be expiring next year. However articles 39 and 40 of draft constitution effectively address the fears of large foreign landowners. These deal with the freedom of movement, residence, and the protection of right to property.

LAND ACREAGE

The large landowners are also worried over provisions in the draft that state Parliament will form a legislation to determine the minimum and maximum size of private land one can own. Section 68(c) (1), which requires Parliament to prescribe minimum and maximum land holding acreages in respect of private land, will protect the public against the bourgeoisies who thrive on land grabbing. Other than just ensuring fair distribution of land resources from those owning more than 10,000 ha to those owning less than 1.0 ha, it also protect land from congestion and parceling to uneconomic units. A combination of these clauses in the proposed Constitution and ongoing computerization of the central land registry at Ardhi House would contain grabbers.

TAX ON IDLE LAND.

If new laws in draft constitution would be enacted it will ensure that people do not own huge tracts of land in every part of the country yet the same remained idle, as most of those holding the huge tracts of land are doing so for cosmetic value and speculation. Draft constitution then introduces tax on idle land or else its reclamation to give others to farm. It solve also problem of absentee land ownership as they will be forced to pay taxes on it or give it back to government to give it to 29% of population which are landless.

NATIONAL LAND COMMISSION

Major problem that has bedevilled Kenya since Independence has been the illegal allocation of land. People entrusted with the protection of public property have infringed on the rights of the masses by rewarding themselves and their cronies with huge tracts of land without batting an eyelid. This has happened due to current set of laws in the current constitution. Take the following examples: Section 3 of the Government Lands Act, Cap 280, empowers the President to grant titles in “unalienated government land”. The Commissioner of Lands, on behalf of the government, would issue a simple letter of “reservation” on government land to individuals. Under the Agriculture Act there are provisions that enable the Agriculture Minister to take away land that lies idle and give to “others” to farm, the formula that allowed the mass grabbing of ADC farms.
The new constitution is out to protect such situations. The proposed constitution states that the president will have no powers to allocate land. It is then on this light that National Land Commission was born and which principle role is to advise the State on land matters towards ensuring justice and equity. It has also role of initiating investigations, on its own initiative or on a complaint, into present or historical land injustices, and recommend appropriate redress.

Summer 2010 photos

So many things are happening around us this summer. Apart from the heat which is now around 31 plus degrees Celsius in Stockholm, we have also been following the World Cup hosted by an African nation for the first time in history. If you love football then you know how difficult it is to have anything else interfere with your pre-planned schedule. Sometimes I am invited to attend very important ceremonies or other official activities only to find myself failing to re-schedule my solid plan.
I know some people are disappointed but unfortunately there is not much I could have done to re-plan:) I tried a few times, gave promises but ended up failing to respect them. I am a man who keeps his promises so I felt disappointed myself the times I broke  the promise I made with you.

For me, this world cup was very special game wise and political wise. I am not attempting to mix the two but both are in real sense inseparable. In any case, I wanted to follow Jabulani in details and see how it is affecting the social media, the South Africans, Africa as a Continent and the Western world in general.
In any case, I hope you all enjoyed as I did and that the bright sun which we in the North normally see a few months a year will continue to brighten your days as you enjoy your summer holiday or vacations.

I have a lot of pictures to share and I will do that the soonest time allows me.

//

Bagarmossen Square

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Truth about abortion in draft Constitution.

By Dominic Leparmarai
SEDF Legal Adviser

Abortion has been one of the most controversial issues in the draft constitution, with men and women of cloth scoring from it against draft constitution their argument “protect life” while in real sense their arguments might not be far from meticulous lies and falsehood being peddled around to hoodwink non-suspecting Kenyans.Today I would like to explore it, scrutinizing it from different perspectives; in the current constitution and in the new constitution, conception of idea and its different points of view around the world.

CONCEPTION OF THE IDEA:

We would like to inform you our dear reader that all idea of abortion in article 26 in the draft constitution which the church now opposes originated from the church. The fact is that the first and the second drafts of the Committee of Experts (CoE) did not contain a clause on Right to Life. It is the Catholic Church that approached the PSC in Naivasha, and persuaded politicians to include a new subsection 2 “Life begins at conception” and a new subsection 4: “Abortion is not permitted, unless in the opinion of a medical registered practitioner, the life of the mother is in danger.

At this meeting, the CoE raised some issues with regard to the changes made to Article 26. The first was on the definition that “life begins at conception”. This belief is held by most Christians (not all) but not shared by Muslims, Hindus, Traditionalists, Atheists and others. This means it is in direct contravention with the article on Freedom of Religion, which states that, no one religion can impose on another.

It is then dishonest that church is opposing draft, using this issue which themselves introduced; worded it and finally accepted by CoE to please them despite it going against other articles. While at the same time opposing draft on another issue of Kadhi courts basing their argument “equality of all religions” while not saying truth that this article on “life begins at conception” already favored them more than other religions.

EXPERTS POINT OF VIEW:

According to sizeable number of medical experts I have personally consulted on this issue; there is consensus that conception and pregnancy do not mean the same thing. Conception occurs when the egg is fertilized by the sperm. Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus about 10 days later. This puts into jeopardy the ordinary contraceptive pill or injections used for family planning, as science has not yet found a way of preventing fertilization, these contraceptives inhibit not conception but implantation. The definition that life begins at “conception” therefore could provide fertile grounds to declare all forms of family planning injections and contraceptive pills as illegal and unconstitutional. It is then important to note that despite Roman Catholic Church, which has consistently been opposed to contraception, position not shared with Protestant and other churches seem to have won here it still opposes draft on flimsy grounds.

ABORTION IN THE CURRENT AND NEW CONSTITUTIONS:

The current Constitution has been running the country since 1963. It provides no recognition or protection of an embryo or unborn child. The current bone of contention with the church on the issue arises from the words “trained health professional” and “or as authorised by any written law” in Article 26 (4), BUT given that the country has less than 100 qualified gynaecologists, who would meet the church’s requirements that “trained health professional” must be only gynaecologist. Do you have to leave all the way from Wamba to Nairobi to meet one in case of emergency or in case life of a mother is in danger?

Even under the current law it is legally permissible to carry out an abortion to save the life of the mother. Section 240 of the penal code which was drafted in 1930 and has never raised any controversy states:
“A person is not criminally responsible for performing in good faith and with reasonable care and skill a surgical operation upon any person for his benefit, or upon an unborn child for the preservation of the mother’s life, if the performance of the operation is reasonable, having regard to the patient’s state at the time and to all the circumstances of the case.”

According to current set of laws; section 214 of penal code stipulate that life commences only when a child completely proceeds to land on Kenya’s soil in a living state “from the body of its mother”. While new constitution clearly states that life begins at conception. You do not need to be a rocket scientist to see that if the proposed constitution with its Article 26 (4) is not approved on August 4, the killing by abortion or otherwise of a Kenyan inside his/her mother’s womb will not be prohibited in Kenya as has been the case since 1930.
PERSPECTIVES AROUND THE WORLD

Around the world abortion has raised hotly contested debate but in most cases reason has prevailed. The anti-abortion groups argue that life begins at conception and that terminating pregnancies at whatever stage constitutes murder, an immoral and vile crime. Pro-choice groups, on the other hand, argue that the decision to carry a pregnancy to full term lies with the bearer and her circumstances.

To many comparisons around the world, draft constitution is exceedingly anti-abortion. Italy, the country where the Vatican sits, has flexible laws that allow abortion within the first 12 weeks of conception. The church argument in Italy was proved wrong in 1981 when the Catholic Church vigorously supported a referendum to repeal a law that allowed abortion. 68% of the electorate in a nation that is nearly 100% Catholic voted to retain the right of women to an abortion in the first 90 days of pregnancy.

In Mexico another nearly 100% Catholic Nation, parliament voted a law that allowed abortion with overwhelming majority despite Pope himself vigorously campaigning against it, telling even church not to administer holy communion to any MP who voted for such law.

By opposing the draft on the very flimsy grounds that the proposed constitution legalizes abortion, the church is courting the irrelevance that has been the fate of a Catholic priest who warned Americans not to vote for Obama for president because doing so constitutes material cooperation with “intrinsic evil”. Two years down the line, Obama continues to do a good job, while the divine wrath to be brought on by intrinsic evil the priest promised is yet to materialise.

It is then wise for you dear reader to read well New constitution and get fact clear for yourself without being misled by ideas of others who themselves are courting irrelevance.

Inner circle of “bad image”

Sentiments of my aging dad have never left my mind when he kept asking me to propose to him what can be the possible measures to be put in place to curb the ‘hell of mess’ in the Northern Frontier Districts NFDs.From his faded face and the way he talked to me clearly revealed the dark side of his heart of these historical problems that he has witnessed throughout his life and now fearing that his son is about to inherit them.Little did he know that I was facing ‘mental disturbance’ out of these hell of living.And what is the cause of these?is the question I still ask myself as I write this article.

T o borrow some knowledge from my former class 4 GHC teacher when she forced us to repeat singing
‘Lenana young masai agreement ooh ooh 1904 agreement……oooh’;it has taken me my entire life to feel the pain of this colonial agreement.These agreements are partly to blame for the mess cornering the NFDs;This agreement restricted all pastrolists from direct contact with other citizens due to their harsh lifestyle and warrior-oriented response to external aggressions including the presence of the white man!What am I trying to say here?The NFDs were simply denied their right to benefit from the current ‘punitive and time-consuming formal education’.The few whose fathers had direct links to ‘mzungu’ were the ones who enjoyed this ‘white blessings’.

But is this still the cause of under-development in these vast lands?probably not!The alleged ‘BAD IMAGE’ of a dry nation full of hunger-stricken citizens,low levels of education,poor health care services with majority still using the ‘medieval form of treatment due to absence of health facilities,killings,banditry,poor transport and communication networks etc. is to blame for this historical mess.Again I ask IS THIS ALLEGED BAD IMAGE REALITY?probably yes for those who have not been there.

Now get the true picture.Statistics done at the Kenyan universities on the number of outstanding graduands every year especially at the fields of medicine and science courses is a direct indication that although their geographical backgrounds are dry and arid but the brains are not dry when they outsmart those from ‘heavy backyards’.

This a just but a drop in the ocean!The recent announcement of multi-billion cement plant in the larger West Pokot district has attracted so many eyebrows.From the information on the ground, many new inhabitants are trying to make ends meet at least to secure a parcel of land in this ‘gold-mine’ that has suffered equally as any other part of northern Kenya.Why turn your attention to the forgotten north now?Still on the same, Isiolo is now about to gain its long dream of being transformed to a ‘moder world’ thanks to the mining experts who assured the government of our yet-to-be exploited Kuwait oil wells.

Turning our attention on the tourism sector,even the northern Kenya residents are by themselves tourist attraction.If well utilized Kenya stands a better chance to gain billions to the exchequer through this.Allow me please to borrow a leaf from my host country;Morocco.My recent visit to the south taught me a lot. Geographically the Kenyan ‘north’ is the equivalent to the Moroccan ‘south’ but with one evident difference; super transport network.I spent my four days here with all the races you can imagine are found in this planet.Tourism ministry’s strategic plan to market Kenya as a tourist destination cannot be achieved if roads connecting the untapped tourism in the north are not carpeted.

ACCUSING FINGER

Before I finish allow me to point an accusing finger to ourselves and our leaders.It is common sense that the face and true expectations of citizens are seen from their leaders.Therefore before we begin complaining to our leaders;lets ask ourselves “who voted in this one?” and by answering wisely we will leave to achieve our dreams.

May God guide you as you reflect on the content of this article.NOBODY ELSE WILL BUILD NORTHERN KENYA FOR US.

By MOSES LEMUKOL

Nyama choma, family dinner and world Cup

Sometimes it’s really difficult to combine all activities at he same time. One most critical point is when the world cup games collide with a family meeting or when you are invited to a function and your favourite team is planned to battle it out with another one. If you are football fanatic, you feel like your own family is corrupting your priority list. Sometimes you try to reorganise but the dots just fails to meet. You go crazy and…:)
Anyway, Nyama choma with relatives in Stockholm was really nice.
Paraga is enjoying his summer holiday in Sweden with family with the privilege to interesting places. Pictures below are taken at a barbecue organised by Maria Kempe at Ljusskärberget in Saltsjöbaden.
The meet was of course delicious and the company was lovely. World cup kept some fanatics back and forth to the apartment despite the fact that Maria was very smart in hospitality Eventually, the family was divided, some went for the ngunga or swinging chairs for the active kids and others sat in the sun basking and talking about family. The fanatics now acquired all the freedom on earth to follow the Black Stars take on Americans from start to the end where the Ghanian victory became not just a reality for the football nation, but also for the entire Starts’ Continent. At this point, the entire family was inn to witness the fanatics joyful moment of victory!
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.

Kenya: Irkisaruni blessing women in Endana.

Saidimu Ole Ngais

As a member of Irkisaruni age group, I would like to send my sincere apologies for not being able to attend our general women/wives blessing currently going on in Il-dikiri sub clan of the greater Laikipai Maasai of Kenya.

Although My wife and I are unfortunately not physically attending the ceremony, we have been following it from day one through preparation phases, and we have also sent our family‘s contribution in cash to Chalubo and Matayian (hosts) through Enkayion Ole Mayiani ( my mother)
This part of our culture is so nice and worth every support to ensure its survival. It is our obligation as Maa to ensure that we retain the best part of our culture.

Blessing our women is a cultural practice aimed to bond the age group together and ensure continuity of good life and cooperation between man and woman in regards to family and society protection.
It’s one of the Maasai ways to evoke divine intervention for continuety of our women’s  fertility, peace in the family and harmony in society.
It is a moral dimension which is worth to retain for future generations.
I sincerely hope that some good Maasai takes time to digitally document the ceremony.

Please use your camera or sound recorder to record songs and prayers during the ceremony.

Godfrey Putunoi, you must have a camera with you. Please send pics to us the soonest you can. Naa tanapa taa nkamula olayioo lentito eminyi iyaki orporo linyi

This kind of ceremony comes once in a while.
In any case, as the Right hand of Irkisaruni, I spit now saliva on my chest and lick the chain of life around my neck and in the Maa spirit, pray that the almighty shall continue to be generous to us and give us brains powerful enough to read the future and interpret the Magilani‘s (God) divine signals sent to us through Holy Spirit-Oltau sinyati.
As a Maasai people, we believe in the holy spirit surrounding us and we believe in the God that lives in the blue. We belief that humanity carries with it, the Godly powers entitled to us and we are all images of God. We depend on each other and one can not be live a decent life without others. This is the reason our society always comes before the individual. On a positive light, and where culture and tradition practice is concerned, putting the society before the individual is debatably wise. But as enlightened people we refuse to let our culture take from individuals rights that are entitled to them by God, ( Magilani/Enkai)

It is due to this revelation that we stand with the rest of Kenyans and say YES, our destiny is in out hands and we have already been given the right to act as children of God because that is exactly what we are!

There are many things that we no longer have to wait for the almighty Magilani to do for us, reasons? Because he already told us to take control over certain things.

What remains now is to achieve positive results and thank the initial designer of the results of your endeavours, the Magilani himself, God our father!

Apart from the need to vote YES in the coming Constitution, another  issues we should take the privilege to promote during this ceremony, is gender equality. The Constitution that we intend to bring into reality by voting YES on August 4th 2010, is a brilliant art of our best brains, the people of Kenya!

They suffered ever since Colonial time and through these suffering, they promoted the need for a humane Constitution. If you will be there, please tell our mothers once again how the Constitution draft is going to empower us. Let them know that by voting YES, they’ll be entitled to rights they never knew they had before.

Please let them not be cheated by the ney sayers. The ney sayers want to protect the status quo and stop us from accessing, utilising and owning the Kenyan bakery that bakes the Kenyan CAKE! It is time for us to own the right to a pee of the Kenyan CAKE..

VOTE YES on August 4th and make us come home with immediate effect! We know we have a lot to give back to our society. Let us pray that all our youngsters shall come back from cities, from far lands and participate in building our nation together.

This nation is calling you and me.. The land is being robbed daily while we ignore the reality. The rich are probably satisfied with the way things are now but you and me. As long as you are still languishing in poverty, decease and insecurity, it is self evident that the current Constitution has not been effective. It is certain that something must be changed. It is obvious that we must be self critical.

The angel we don’t know is the one to save us and not the devil we know that comes to with inflammables when we place that emergency call to put off fire in our grass thatched huts!

This is our time fellows! Our mothers are the majority voters in the villages, please enlighten them and honour them by respectfully telling them the truth. They have withhold both pride and intelligence of the highest order the reason you are able to read this material I have typed because otherwise you and I wouldn’t be a life today if our mothers were not smart enough.

Please, think about Sokoyian, Tiranka, remember Nalepisho, think about Nookishu, think about Norkila, Ng‘oto Maipei, remember tiger mothers and elephant intelligent Maa mothers who fight daily for you and I to grow as  respected child and a citizen of this globe.

Remember their daily prayers, torika loiter oloorook, loomena oloodupa.. Tubula, mikitonyori enkomom, ima aras ekimojik anaa orpidilai, nai nchooki enkare pus olaji nabaiki yiook nagarishore kulie naai tatashaki yiook namuka naai nchooki mataa koon, mikingurie likai tung‘ani.

It is  time to be ruled by our own Constitution and not by the inhuman Colonial one. The draft Constitution shall even all field for all God children to cooperate in self determination in respect and honour as Children of one mother and father.

Let us now bless our women not as lesser human beings to us but as equals and let us be generous to ourselves just as the almighty is generous to us and seek equality and respect our daughters, mothers and sisters just as we respect ourselves.

Now that we are getting the YES campaign through and that the reality of a new constitution is soon with us, the Maa people shall also be ready to embrace positive change and demand their Constitutionally provided rights.
It is my sincere hope that the formally informed part of our society, shall continue to enlighten the society to make wise and informed decisions.

At the end of the day, it‘s our destiny we are shaping and that responsibility, has already been entitled to us by the ALmighty Magilani!
Naishi O Kule.
Saidimu Ole Ngais
(Orkisaruniy le tatene loo Ildikiri le Laikipia)

Ngais' grandmother is dead!

Death announcement.

From Nkoponi Matinta

25^th august 2010.

Nkoponi our beloved grandmother has gone to sleep.
We have just been informed that our beloved grandmother is dead. She died this morning on Sunday 25th July 2010 at 10:20 AM.

Nkoponi Matinta Putunoi (Entito Olenarerio) died at her deceased son’s home in Makurian, Laikipia North District of Kenya where she has been residing during  the last years of her life.

Although  I document this with  a heavy heart, I am please somehow that I am able to record her death in accuracy unlike the reality of things at the time of her birth. Like many others from our Maasai world, birthdays are recorded orally with days and hours not really having the same significance as they do today in our modern world.

Birthdays and deaths were recorded  in relation to seasons for example, my little brother was born during the year of Kaseeka (yellow maize) the season of long hunger and draught (1984).

Matinta who might have attained the age between 80 to 90 or maybe 100 and more years?, is said to have slept in into the new world where the almighty is waiting to give her eternal life! She woke up in the morning, took her break fast and requested to be taken to her bed to rest. She slept in and disappeared to the infinite world out here. Her spirit, according us the Maasai, is already here with us.

We as a people belief in three dimension of human existence namely, the living, the living dead and the ancestral spirits. They all intertwine to make our reality that we live under. We belief in the God who lives everywhere. Our granny is now with God all over around us.

Matinta Nkoponi is reported to have been in very joyful mood and in very good mental health. Her memory has always been sharp until the last days. Paraga ( my little brother ) who visited her on May12th 2010 to deliver our greetings to her and bring to us her blessings, took very nice pictures of her and said good bye.  We all suspected that she may not  survive age hence we may not see her again.

Our beloved Nkoponi (every child knows her by this name) slept on the right side as she silently  took the last breath  and swing to the other world. The family found her body an hour later cold and lifeless.

The soonest we received the sad news from Loitamany, one of our cousins, Paraga sorrowfully went through the pictures he took of Nkoponi as he  narrated every single moment he spent with our loving Nkoponi. Paraga repeatedly said  that Nkoponi  was in such a good health. She remembered my names(:::::::::), she would ask – koree daapa olapa loolashumpa! – roughly translated: where is the other one who went to the White man’s world?

She remembered my wife’s name (Enkashumpai e Toyianka) – Toyianka’s white wife ( NO one else but Nkoponi, my parents and a few elderly relatives  who calls me by my mother’s name..

Nkoponi gave birth to a total of 9 children of whom all survived to adulthood. She has always been that kind of a woman who does what she must to defend her children but she was to loose that war to some mysterious deaths. Her 8  adult children died one after the other until it is only my mother and Nkoponi remaining. Now, it is only my poor mother who is a life! This is heavy……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

However, she is survived by grand children, great grand children and great great grand children. We are many so I’ll have to give the correct number later

My dear Nkoponi, What a strong woman you have always been! what a thrilling story teller, we all remember all the stories you told us, the Kapunaas stories, the letabo and the  Hyena and the Crow! You remember the story of the warrior and his sister and the enemy? The short animal stories and all your good milk based foods, your dried smoked meat you always kept for us.. The luxury of freedom we had when we visited you away from our parents…

Putunoi, Ngais, Narerio’s and all other related families, we share the sorrows! Please be strong!
Oh my dear cousins, what a tragedy! I still don’t want to belief that she’s gone… We are so saddened by the news about the departure of our beloved Nkoponi. But we must be strong..

I knew all along that this was to happen any time and that’s why I wanted Paraga to take nice photo’s of her before travelling to Sweden. I also thought that it will not be this painful since she is of age. I was wrong on the latter.

Brethren, kindly update us as soon as you can.
R.I.P.  our dear Nkoponi!

Saidimu and Paraga Ole Ngais

Ngais' grandmother dies part 1

Video on Ngais’ grandmother dies. Why Nkoponi was burried before we could pay her last tribute. I will be discussing the issue on the upcoming videos. If you want to take part in this debate, you are kindly requested to send your material to dk @ diasporakenyan.se or make a youtube video and send the link to me.
R.I.P. my dear Nkoponi.
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

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Ngais' grandmother dies part 2

Bad system forced Paulo to hurriedly burry our grandmother before the body rots. My mother, the only a live child of deceased Matinta did not get the right to see her mother and pay her final tribute to her. There is no Mortury in Makurian neither is there any transportation system including ambulances to take the body to the nearest single mortuary in Nanyuki about 60 kilometres from Makurian. The so called mortuary in Dol-dol does not have preserving rooms so the body would rot any way if it were to be transported to Dol-dol about 5-8km away.
Saidimu Ole Ngais.

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RE: Change of date of the SUSWA MAA YES RALLY From 28TH July, to 30TH July, 2010 as from 10AM

Dear All,

The MAA Leaders will like to invite all the MAA Community including students to a YES rally that will be held on 30TH July, 2010 as from 10am. The venue will be Suswa Market in Narok.

Students from Nairobi and the surrounding institutions will be provided with to and fro transport. You should provide a student ID as a prove.

All students will board buses that will be available at KICC.
Time will be communicated before the specified date.

MAA Professionals Secretariat.

C/O: Enkishui E Maa

Leshan Leshao

Re: KENYAN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER TELE-CONFERENCE ON 3RD AUGUST 2010

Dear family and friends*

*This is to request  all my friends to join in prayer  both here and abroad

to join us in prayer and if you can please join us at teleconference*

Please read the details below and acknowledge that you are praying with us

Bless you

remember ‘Job was blessed beyond all others for praying  for praying for

others’

*KENYAN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER TELE-CONFERENCE ON 3RD AUGUST 2010*

*THE KENYAN INTERNATIONA DAY OF PRAYER AND THE PRAYER TASK TEAM IN DIASPORA,

INVITES ALL KENYANS AND FRIENDS OF KENYA,  TO JOIN US IN THE INTERCESSORY

PRAYER TELE-CONFERENCE FOR PEACE TO PREVAIL IN OUR MOTHERLAND ON TUESDAY,

AUGUST 3, 2010. *

* *

*WE SHALL JOIN MILLIONS OF OTHER KENYANS IN PRAYING FOR THE WILL OF GOD TO

BE DONE, AS ** **KENYANS PARTICIPATE ON THE REFERENDUM OF THE PROPOSED

CONSTITUTION OF KENYA ON AUGUST 4,2010*

**

<http://www.diasporamessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=397>

*ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE TELECONFERENCE PRAYER MEETING*

* *

*WHEN*: *TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010*

*TIME*: *FROM 9PM (EASTERN TIME)*

*8.30PM (CENTRAL TIME)*

*6.30 PM (PACIFIC TIME)*

*THE TELECONFERENCE # 218-862-7200   ACCESS CODE 665639*

**

**

*A SONG FOR PEACE *

**

**<http://www.diasporamessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=397>

**

*

Team members

The Rev. Dr. John Kivuva-Florida

Pastor Jackson Kingori-Texas

Rev. Dr. Joseph Njoroge-Georgia

Mr. Isaac Kariuki-Maryland

Rev. Wambui M. Njoroge-Georgia

Bishop John Warui-London

Pastor Shadrack  Ruto-Texas

Bishop Manasseh Mankuleiyo-North Carolina

Pastor John Kipeen-Florida

Pastor Elistan Supeyo-Washington State

Pastor Jacob Gathogo-Alabama

Pastor Andrew Muthemba-North Carolina

Dr.Rev, Joseph Gichuhi – California

Pastor Paul Macharia- Missouri

Rev Samuel Kimohu- Massachusetts

Dr.Anne Mungai-New York

Pastor Gladys Maina-Indiana

Dr.Rev, Joseph Wamutitu-Georgia

Pastor Francis Kioko-Georgia

Pastor Martin Kathurima-Maryland

*

Isaac G.Kariuki

Owner/CEO Diaspora Messenger

P.O.Box 2655

Germantown MD 20875-2655

E-Mail- diasporamessenger@gmail.com

The Kenyan Diaspora Authoritative News Source

The Community Center for the Diaspora

http://www.diasporamessenger.com

–

Bishop, Manasseh Mankuleiyo

“Oh To Be His Hand Extended”

–

Bishop

Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

Dear family and friends**This is to request  all my friends to join in prayer  both here and abroadto join us in prayer and if you can please join us at teleconference*Please read the details below and acknowledge that you are praying with usBless youremember ‘Job was blessed beyond all others for praying  for praying forothers’

*KENYAN INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER TELE-CONFERENCE ON 3RD AUGUST 2010*

*THE KENYAN INTERNATIONA DAY OF PRAYER AND THE PRAYER TASK TEAM IN DIASPORA,INVITES ALL KENYANS AND FRIENDS OF KENYA,  TO JOIN US IN THE INTERCESSORYPRAYER TELE-CONFERENCE FOR PEACE TO PREVAIL IN OUR MOTHERLAND ON TUESDAY,AUGUST 3, 2010. *

• *

*WE SHALL JOIN MILLIONS OF OTHER KENYANS IN PRAYING FOR THE WILL OF GOD TOBE DONE, AS ** **KENYANS PARTICIPATE ON THE REFERENDUM OF THE PROPOSEDCONSTITUTION OF KENYA ON AUGUST 4,2010*
**
<http://www.diasporamessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=397>
*ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE TELECONFERENCE PRAYER MEETING*

• *

*WHEN*: *TUESDAY, AUGUST 3, 2010*
*TIME*: *FROM 9PM (EASTERN TIME)*
*8.30PM (CENTRAL TIME)*
*6.30 PM (PACIFIC TIME)*

*THE TELECONFERENCE # 218-862-7200   ACCESS CODE 665639*
**
**
*A SONG FOR PEACE *
**
**<http://www.diasporamessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=302&Itemid=397>

***

Team members
The Rev. Dr. John Kivuva-Florida
Pastor Jackson Kingori-Texas
Rev. Dr. Joseph Njoroge-Georgia
Mr. Isaac Kariuki-Maryland
Rev. Wambui M. Njoroge-Georgia
Bishop John Warui-London
Pastor Shadrack  Ruto-Texas
Bishop Manasseh Mankuleiyo-North Carolina
Pastor John Kipeen-Florida
Pastor Elistan Supeyo-Washington State
Pastor Jacob Gathogo-Alabama
Pastor Andrew Muthemba-North Carolina
Dr.Rev, Joseph Gichuhi – California
Pastor Paul Macharia- Missouri
Rev Samuel Kimohu- Massachusetts
Dr.Anne Mungai-New York
Pastor Gladys Maina-Indiana
Dr.Rev, Joseph Wamutitu-Georgia
Pastor Francis Kioko-Georgia
Pastor Martin Kathurima-Maryland

• Isaac G.KariukiOwner/CEO Diaspora MessengerP.O.Box 2655Germantown MD 20875-2655E-Mail- diasporamessenger@gmail.com

The Kenyan Diaspora Authoritative News SourceThe Community Center for the Diasporahttp://www.diasporamessenger.com

– Bishop, Manasseh Mankuleiyo”Oh To Be His Hand Extended”

– BishopManasseh Mankuleiyo
Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

Follow Ngais to Nanyuki

Image via Wikipedia

http://tripwow.tripadvisor.com/tripwow/ta-009a-e37e-2621/e/64c5dfe5ae/bg') 0 no-repeat;margin:0;padding:0;">http://images.travelpod.com/bin/tripwow/flash/tripwow.swf

Maasai Slideshow: Diasporakenyan’s trip from Stockholm to 2 cities Stockholm and Nanyuki was created by TripAdvisor. See another Sweden slideshow. Create your own stunning free slideshow from your travel photos.

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• Ngais’ grandmother dies part 1 (diasporakenyan.se)

Your photoman

Sven weds Margarete by Diasporakenyan

Advert for Photographers Saidimu and Paraga Ole Ngais.
Hire a private professional photoman for weddings, graduation, birthdays Church ceremonies and other traditional ceremonies.
Call Ole Ngais(The Ngais brothers) or mail through;
mobil: 0737420566
Mail: photome@photoman.se
Visit http://photoman.se for more information and prices.
Check the current market prices and demand the lowest figure minus too skr.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ygwhmI1lZt4&hl=en&fs=1

Prayer For The Nations

Image of Bishop Manasseh Mankuleiyo

This is a prayer for the nations represented by all in my email list
Let this be our prayer for this whole month;-..+
Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Amos 5:24+
A man once said; “Give me a fulcrum long enough and I will turn the
world single handed”
As powerful as his words were, one thing this guy forgot is that he
needs solid ground to stand on while turning the world “single
Handed”; But, ‘justice’ and
‘righteousness’ or ethics as we like to call it; is a must if any
nation is to stand the test of time Thats the solid ground
Prayer; Dear heavenly father this is my prayer for my nation;
–
Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!

Amos 5:24+
Amen

–
Bishop
Manasseh Mankuleiyo

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

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Expanding consciousness through compassion & loving kindness

notion of practicing compassion for other fellow humans has been with us since the beginning of time. After all, Man is a social creature in need of meaningful social connections in order to grow on all levels of his being.

The concept of compassion however has in recent times been appraised in value. Its importance is starting to be understood under the new light of a drastically changing world where people are getting more connected, economies collapse and new global crisis emerge. Compassion is becoming increasingly tied to the future of humanity. In order for Humanity to keep the balance against the impounding waves of change we need to grow collectively in mind, awareness and in consciousness. One essential ingredient for this growth is cultivating compassion and loving kindness

Compassion compels action and social change

“You know, there’s a lot of talk in this country about the federal deficit. But I think we should talk more about our empathy deficit — the ability to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes; to see the world through the eyes of those who are different from us — the child who’s hungry, the steelworker who’s been laid-off, the family who lost the entire life they built together when the storm came to town. When you think like this — when you choose to broaden your ambit of concern and empathize with the plight of others, whether they are close friends or distant strangers — it becomes harder not to act; harder not to help.” Barack Obama

President Obama mentions the empathy deficit but why does he put emphasis on it?

What his words imply is that real concern about the future does not stop around financial and monetary issues. These are important but to stop there is shortsightedly missing the whole point about positive social change. Read more from the original source by pressing here.

GK Ole Putunoi: Notice of meeting

Image via Wikipedia

Kampan Godfrey Ole Putunoi sent a message to the members of ILLAIKIPIAK MAASAI ASSOCIATION.

09 August 2010 at 16:49

Subject: Notice of meeting

Dear all,

Notice is hereby given that the Nairobi team will be meeting on the evening of Wednesday 11th at the previous venue to analyse the outcome of the referendum. Thereafter, we will have an all inclusive meeting at Doldol preferably at the end of August and you all need to start engaging your thinking to enable us strategize for the best for our people.

Godfrey Putunoi

Group Secretary

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Cultural survival:Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous Peoples’ Issues More Prominent than Ever on Global Agenda, But Some Statistics Alarming, Says Secretary-General in Message for International Day

Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon‘s message for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, in New York, 9 August:

“The world’s indigenous peoples have preserved a vast amount of humanity’s cultural history. Indigenous peoples speak a majority of the world’s languages, and have inherited and passed on a wealth of knowledge, artistic forms and religious and cultural traditions.  On this International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we reaffirm our commitment to their well-being.

The landmark United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the General Assembly in 2007, lays out a framework for Governments to use in strengthening relationships with indigenous peoples and protecting their human rights.  Since then, we have seen more Governments working to redress social and economic injustices, through legislation and other means, and indigenous peoples’ issues have become more prominent on the international agenda than ever before.

But we must do even more.  Indigenous peoples still experience racism, poor health and disproportionate poverty. In many societies, their languages, religions and cultural traditions are stigmatized and shunned. The first-ever United Nations report on the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples in January 2010 set out some alarming statistics.  In some countries, indigenous peoples are 600 times more likely to contract tuberculosis than the general population. In others, an indigenous child can expect to die 20 years before his or her non-indigenous compatriots.

The theme of this year’s Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is indigenous filmmakers, who give us windows into their communities, cultures and history. Their work connects us to belief systems and philosophies; it captures both the daily life and the spirit of indigenous communities. As we celebrate these contributions, I call on Governments and civil society to fulfil their commitment to advancing the status of indigenous peoples everywhere.”

Read more from the original source

Picture above via  Wikipedia

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Meriwas: Day of Indigenous People's Celebration.

Day of Indigenous People’s Celebration, August 9th by Meriwas.

 Indigenous Day celebration was held at Pois Rob. A settlement scheme inhabited by Samburu community who have been Internally Displaced as a results of ongoing conflicts in Isiolo, Samburu and Laikipia West.

This was a double celebration among the Indigenous samburu on August 9th, which coincided with ushering in a new dawn for them in the Kenyan history. The new Kenya constitution recognized and uplifts indigenous and minority communities their fundamental freedoms and rights.

Here are few goodies for IPs

Language and Culture

Article 7 of the new constitution obliges the state to promote and protect the diversity of language of the people of Kenya. The state is also obliged to promote the development and use of indigenous languages. Article 11 recognizes culture as the foundation of the nation and obliges the state to promote all forms of cultural expression through literature, the arts, traditional celebrations, science, communication, information, mass media, publications, libraries and other cultural heritage.

The state is also obliged to recognize the role of indigenous technologies in the development of the nation. Not only shall the state promote the intellectual property rights of the people of Kenya, Parliament is also required to enact legislation that will ensure communities receive compensation or royalties for the use of their cultures and cultural heritage, and legislation that will also recognize and protect the ownership of indigenous seeds and plant varieties, their genetic and diverse characteristics and their use by communities.

Under the Bill of Rights, Article 44 gives every person a right to use the language and participate in the cultural life of his/her choice.

Citizenship

By recognizing dual citizenship, the new constitution paves the way for indigenous communities, like the Maasai, that live across boundaries to benefit and too their mobility lifestyle.

British army amour car hit-and-and run and 8 year girl.

Image via Wikipedia

Archer’s Post 5th of Aug2010

Story by Tom Lolosoli.

A British army amour car hit-and-run an 8year old girl near Archer’s Post livestock market selling yard on Nakwamor road. The car is said to have lost way when locating the camp in Laresoro training area on its way from Nanyuki base, and took Nakwamor’s road to deserted old base.

On its way back to join the main road to Laresoro, the vehicle is said to have cruised at a high speed as though racing against a set time. Just a few yards to Archer’s livestock selling market, there were a group of children crossing the road carrying water in jerricans from Waso Nyiro River.

The driver was ignorant enough not to have applied safety measures in avoiding the risk of hitting the young children. He rammed on one of them with a heavy 20 liters jerican on her back who was the youngest and the slowest to jump off the road quickly, and sped away.

When the news reached villagers at home, people flocked the scene and the victim’s body was rushed to hospital by Samburu game reserve’s Land Cruiser. But the girl was already dead and the body was later taken to Isiolo district hospital mortuary pending postmortem.

Several community leaders like Gabriel Lenkishili took charge to rush to British Army training base to identify the offenders. They ordered for gate-log to inquire for the latest British Army Land rover vehicle that just checked-in. The army men were identified prompting British Army Commanding Officer (CO) to report to police and filing a statement.

The following day a British army Major in charge of transport reported to police as well and promised that compensation would be made. But sources said they are intending to use the former bomb victims’ case compensation method to pay off the deceased’s family. The 2000-2002 bomb case that was spearheaded by famous British lawyer Martin Day, made an out of court settlement deal with Royal Department of Defense and death cases were quoted at Kshs 850,000 ($10897.44) each. The community people suggested a postmortem to be done on the body of the victim and extent of damage recorded. Thereafter a case should be presented to court to determine the verdict to offenders and compensation value to victim’s family. Postmortem was carried on Monday, 9thof August, 2010 and details are still to be released or pending court action.

On asking who will foot the bill of postmortem and hiring a lawyer, sources said Girgir group ranch may come in handy on this.

The father of the victim Lebashe Lenkare is a poor man with a low wage contract as a sand harvester. Sand harvesters get a paltry Kshs 100 ($1.28) per one trip of a lorry full of sand and they merely manage even four trips a day. In Archer’s, sand harvesters formed an association and they contribute a small amount monthly as their mutual insurance security. The association of sand harvesters headed by popular Aire-aire mollified the victim’s father by giving him a thousand shillings from their meager kitty.

With due respect and regrets we are passing our heartfelt condolences to the parents and entire extended family of the victim. May God rest her soul in eternal peace.

Thanks

Tom Lolosoli

Secretary SEDF

http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=diasporakenyan.se&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&colorscheme=light&height=80

Electricity connected in Archer's post and Wamba goes live.

Image of Tom Lolosoli

Story by Tom Lolosoli.

Electricity connection in Archer’s Post and Wamba has now gone live at long last. A few people have been connected in Archer’s and Wamba hospital will be the first point to be connected in Wamba. Those who were quick to apply and paying the initial connection fees were attended to, early.

The requirement of the lighting company is that you should only apply if you got a request letter of connection from them. That means you are near link points and passed their feasibility study test of getting a connection. You are also required to be certified by their wiring agents who are supposed to inspect and/or install wiring at your premises at your own cost. For those leaving far from link points are considered over distance case and they wouldn’t be attended to at this stage.

Thereafter, you merge all those paper work and application fees of Kshs 17,000 and forward them to Isiolo Kenya Power and Lighting offices. Thereafter the power men will land in your premises/house to do the installations. I realized many locals do not have Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA’s) Personal Identification Number (PIN) which is a must have requirement when applying. Getting a PIN is free of charge and all you need to do is get a copy and original ID and persevere the long queue in Times Tower in Nairobi’s KRA offices. But I heard that a KRA office in Meru is offering the same too and with no doubt doing it over there is far much easier and less costly than in Nairobi.

Thanks

Tom Lolosoli

Secretary SEDF

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Struggle to maintain father tongue

maintaining father tongue where mother tongue is dominant language.http://www.youtube.com/v/lmxDiiBdBmI?fs=1&hl=sv_SE>

Dick Kamau Speech at Lindh school party

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Sweden: Social democrats campaigns getting hot!

Image via Wikipedia

After attending the meeting in Märsta with Dr. Athu Owiti hosted by ODM Scandinavian branch, I had to hurry back and put up my Social democratic  party‘s postas at our Bagarmossen village at midnight..
My colleagues and I from the local Social democratic branch in Bagarmossen did a good job in taking the best positions to display our parties postas.

This morning out of curiosity, I took a round in the area to enjoy the good job we did and take some photos.

To my disappointment someone probably rogue kids in the village  gone around taking down almost all  postas including those of other parties . We had to regroup and hang the campaign postas up again.

We had to do the job again.

The struggle for voters is getting hotter and hotter by the day here in Sweden with the elections coming soon in September.  The last Sifo opinion figures shows Social democrats really doing good together with the Greens, and the Left party.

The majority of us are convinced that we’ll be back soon.  What is awaiting us is a big list of a mess created by the Capitalist oriented alliance of  Moderates, Folk party, Christian democrats and the Centre party.

Everyone who loves justice, equality and equal respect and recognition is involved in the struggle to take back powers from the alliance and the likes of  Nyamko Sabuni who things that a segregated and unequal  Sweden is what we should have. Where mothers with immigrant background should be treated with less respect, universal child support be taken away from them, a strategy to increase their opportunities to employment, as Nyamko Sabuni, the Alliance minister for integration and equality puts it.

The Red-Green  cooperation will soon bring sanity to the Swedish politics and rectify the major destruction cause by the Reinfelt regime on the countries welfare. The social democratic politics is not just good for Sweden and Swedes, but also for international relations.

Below is a photo of one of our social democratic party’s posta.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

From Nalotu forest walk

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http://rodgron.hosting.delorean.se/app/banner/rodgron_banner.swf?uid=1024&bid=jamstalldhet

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Ngais political colours according to svt online test.

Image via Wikipedia

So this is me politically!

V (Left party) 73%

S (Social democratic party) 69%

MP (Green party) 74%.

See the grafics here

Visit http://svt.se/valpejl

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Ditt resultat

• Gör nytt test
• Spara resultatlänk
• Stäng

Du har tagit ställning i 49 av 50 frågor och valt att matcha dig mot dessa partier:

• V 73%
• S 69%
• MP 74%

• Sortera resultatet:
• Efter blockindelning
• •
• I storleksordning

Matcha dig mot valbara riksdagskandidater i din valkrets

Ange din kommun

Välj kommun Ale Alingsås Alvesta Aneby Arboga Arjeplog Arvidsjaur Arvika Askersund Avesta Bengtsfors Berg Bjurholm Bjuv Boden Bollebygd Bollnäs Borgholm Borlänge Borås Botkyrka Boxholm Bromölla Bräcke Burlöv Båstad Dals-Ed Danderyd Degerfors Dorotea Eda Ekerö Eksjö Emmaboda Enköping Eskilstuna Eslöv Essunga Fagersta Falkenberg Falköping Falun Filipstad Finspång Flen Forshaga Färgelanda Gagnef Gislaved Gnesta Gnosjö Gotland Grums Grästorp Gullspång Gällivare Gävle Göteborg Götene Habo Hagfors Hallsberg Hallstahammar Halmstad Hammarö Haninge Haparanda Heby Hedemora Helsingborg Herrljunga Hjo Hofors Huddinge Hudiksvall Hultsfred Hylte Håbo Hällefors Härjedalen Härnösand Härryda Hässleholm Höganäs Högsby Hörby Höör Jokkmokk Järfälla Jönköping Kalix Kalmar Karlsborg Karlshamn Karlskoga Karlskrona Karlstad Katrineholm Kil Kinda Kiruna Klippan Knivsta Kramfors Kristianstad Kristinehamn Krokom Kumla Kungsbacka Kungsör Kungälv Kävlinge Köping Laholm Landskrona Laxå Lekeberg Leksand Lerum Lessebo Lidingö Lidköping Lilla Edet Lindesberg Linköping Ljungby Ljusdal Ljusnarsberg Lomma Ludvika Luleå Lund Lycksele Lysekil Malmö Malung-Sälen Malå Mariestad Mark Markaryd Mellerud Mjölby Mora Motala Mullsjö Munkedal Munkfors Mölndal Mönsterås Mörbylånga Nacka Nora Norberg Nordanstig Nordmaling Norrköping Norrtälje Norsjö Nybro Nykvarn Nyköping Nynäshamn Nässjö Ockelbo Olofström Orsa Orust Osby Oskarshamn Ovanåker Oxelösund Pajala Partille Perstorp Piteå Ragunda Robertsfors Ronneby Rättvik Sala Salem Sandviken Sigtuna Simrishamn Sjöbo Skara Skellefteå Skinnskatteberg Skurup Skövde Smedjebacken Sollefteå Sollentuna Solna Sorsele Sotenäs Staffanstorp Stenungsund Stockholm Storfors Storuman Strängnäs Strömstad Strömsund Sundbyberg Sundsvall Sunne Surahammar
Svalöv Svedala Svenljunga Säffle Säter Sävsjö Söderhamn Söderköping Södertälje Sölvesborg Tanum Tibro Tidaholm Tierp Timrå Tingsryd Tjörn Tomelilla Torsby Torsås Tranemo Tranås Trelleborg Trollhättan Trosa Tyresö Täby Töreboda Uddevalla Ulricehamn Umeå Upplands-Bro Upplands Väsby Uppsala Uppvidinge Vadstena Vaggeryd Valdemarsvik Vallentuna Vansbro Vara Varberg Vaxholm Vellinge Vetlanda Vilhelmina Vimmerby Vindeln Vingåker Vårgårda Vänersborg Vännäs Värmdö Värnamo Västervik Västerås Växjö Ydre Ystad Åmål Ånge Åre Årjäng Åsele Åstorp Åtvidaberg Älmhult Älvdalen Älvkarleby Älvsbyn Ängelholm Öckerö Ödeshög Örebro Örkelljunga Örnsköldsvik Östersund Österåker Östhammar Östra Göinge Överkalix Övertorneå

Tillbaka

Kopiera och spara länken nedan för att vid senare tillfälle återgå till ditt resultat.

<a href="http://valpejl.se/resultat/1aAcDAacaADAbabdaaaddcdabbcdadaaccdaabbA-dbaabaAAAb/021" rel="nofollow">http://valpejl.se/resultat/1aAcDAacaADAbabdaaaddcdabbcdadaaccdaabbA-dbaabaAAAb/021</a>

Du har inte valt någon kommun.

Du måste välja kommun nedan för att kunna se dina valbara riksdagskandidater.

Rebtel:International calls made easy.

Image via CrunchBase

 

Rebtel On The iPhone

Rebtel makes international calls to friends and family much cheaper. You can call fixed and mobile phones all over the world with great voice quality. You pay only for the time you talk – no contract, no hidden fees.

Saidimu Ole Ngais Diaspora Kenyans can now call home for free.
Make free international calls with Rebtel from your regular phone. No need for headsets or downloads. Check out Rebtel! http://www.rebtel.com/u/01005422424

http://www.youtube.com/v/C6oUqVyubAY&hl=sv_SE&fs=1

Pick a contact from your address book and Rebtel gives you a local number to call for a fraction of your international rate. The local number is saved to your address book so that you can use it anytime, anywhere. No need for WiFi coverage or internet access.

Rebtel for the iPhone is free to download and easy to use. Reduce the cost of your international calls by up to 90%.

• Cheap international calling!
• Manage all your Rebtel numbers
• See available call time for all your buddies
• Check Rebtel rates to other countries
• Check your call and credit history
• Add credit directly from your iPhone

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Opportunity for the U.S. to Show Commitment to Human Rights of Indigenous Peoples

Image by wwarby via Flickr

I commend you for your decision to review the U.S. position on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and strongly urge you to endorse the UNDRIP.

Sign your Amnesty International petition here

Such a change would send a strong message to Americans and the international community that the United States seeks to lead by example, by recognizing and upholding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, including here at home.

In the United States almost 24% of Indigenous peoples live in poverty. Native American and Alaska Native women, in particular, face egregious violations of their rights – Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than other women in the U.S. in general.

One in three Native women will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime and according to Department of Justice statistics, at least 86 percent of perpetrators are non-Native men.

As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States is required to “uphold the highest standards” regarding human rights.

I welcome your administration’s decision to rejoin the Human Rights Council, and in so doing, your commitment not only to shaping, but also to championing human rights standards. Endorsing the UNDRIP is a concrete action that would signal that the U.S. intends to lead by example and live by the human rights standards set by the international community.

Your recent signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 was a commendable step to help fulfill these commitments.  The Act will help decrease rates of sexual violence in Indian Country and I am deeply grateful for the attention that you have given to this important issue.

I also applaud your recent effort to ensure that federal agencies consult with Indigenous communities and urge you to continue ensuring that tribes are fully engaged at all levels in determining federal policy issues which have implications for tribes. I urge you to expand on these important domestic efforts by embracing the international standards set forth in the UNDRIP “for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world.”

Mr. President, thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to addressing the historic and long-overdue issues that Indigenous communities face in the U.S.

I urge you to put the weight of your Presidency behind these efforts and embrace the UNDRIP without qualifications as a step toward respecting the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, including here in the United States.

Thank you for your time and consideration of this request and I look forward to seeing the U.S. endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Thank you,

I commend you for your decision to review the U.S. position on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and strongly urge you to endorse the UNDRIP.  Such a change would send a strong message to Americans and the international community that the United States seeks to lead by example, by recognizing and upholding the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, including here at home.  In the United States almost 24% of Indigenous peoples live in poverty.

Native American and Alaska Native women, in particular, face egregious violations of their rights – Native women are more than 2.5 times more likely to be raped or sexually assaulted than other women in the U.S. in general. One in three Native women will be raped or sexually assaulted in her lifetime and according to Department of Justice statistics, at least 86 percent of perpetrators are non-Native men.

As a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the United States is required to “uphold the highest standards” regarding human rights. I welcome your administration’s decision to rejoin the Human Rights Council, and in so doing, your commitment not only to shaping, but also to championing human rights standards. Endorsing the UNDRIP is a concrete action that would signal that the U.S. intends to lead by example and live by the human rights standards set by the international community.
Your recent signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010 was a commendable step to help fulfill these commitments.  The Act will help decrease rates of sexual violence in Indian Country and I am deeply grateful for the attention that you have given to this important issue.  I also applaud your recent effort to ensure that federal agencies consult with Indigenous communities and urge you to continue ensuring that tribes are fully engaged at all levels in determining federal policy issues which have implications for tribes. I urge you to expand on these important domestic efforts by embracing the international standards set forth in the UNDRIP “for the survival, dignity, and well-being of the Indigenous peoples of the world.”
Mr. President, thank you for your continued leadership and commitment to addressing the historic and long-overdue issues that Indigenous communities face in the U.S. I urge you to put the weight of your Presidency behind these efforts and embrace the UNDRIP without qualifications as a step toward respecting the human rights of Indigenous Peoples worldwide, including here in the United States.
Thank you for your time and consideration of this request and I look forward to seeing the U.S. endorsement of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Thank you,

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Saidimu signed the petition above through the Amnesty international.

Sign your Amnesty International petition here

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Constitution promalgation ceremony.

Visit  Samburu East Development Facebook Forum

Tom Lolosoli August 27 at 8:36am.

Samburu East Development Forum would like to wish all its members, Kenyans and stakeholders a happy new constitution promulgation day.

We took the initiative together of spearheading the YES campaigns in web based Medias among an array of other ways. It is our big pleasure to be reminded of the land slide win of the August 4, 2010 referendum and now the promulgation of the new constitution today on Friday, 27thofAugust2010. This will mark exactly two years to general elections to be held on 27thofAugust2012 and not Decembers as it had been.

Many dignitaries have already arrived in Uhuru park including the savior of this nation from post election violence former UN chief Dr. Koffi Annan alongside the panel of Africa eminent personalities like former Tanzania President Benjamin Mkapa and Graca Machel. Several African leaders are in attendance and it is just a matter of minutes before the ceremony begins.

Stay tuned and keep checking http://www.nation.co.ke and http://www.eastandard.net and many other real-time medias like TVs that is covering the ongoing at Uhuru park live.

Celebrations

Tom Lolosoli
Secretary SEDF

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Socialdemokraterna tar ansvaret nu!

Jag har titlerat artikeln nedan annars är den stulen från min partiets hemsidan. Följ länken hem till oss socialdemokraterna.

Socialdemokraterna tar ansvaret nu!

2010

Så röstar du

Förtidsrösta från och med den 1 september

Du måste ha med dig ditt röstkort och en id-handling när du förtidsröstar. Alla som har rösträtt får ett röstkort med posten senast den 31 augusti. Om du inte fått något röstkort eller tappat det kan du beställa ett nytt från Valmyndigheten.

Här hittar du var du kan förtidsrösta>>

Har du en iPhone? Då kan du ladda ner vår app “Rösta 2010″ i appstore och där hitta lokal för förtidsröstning.

Om du röstar utanför din hemkommun och vill personrösta måste du ta med dig valsedlar så att du kan rösta på partiets kandidater för din hemort.

Varför ska jag rösta på Socialdemokraterna?

Valet den 19 september blir ett avgörande vägval. Ska vi ha fyra år till med skattesänkningar för de mest välbeställda eller ska vi ha ett Sverige där vi använder resurserna till att investerar i bättre förskola, fler lärare i skolan och i sjukvården?

Läs mer om våra förslag för fler jobb, bättre skola och sjukvård>>
Mer information om röstning
Rösta i vallokal på valdagen den 19 september

Du kan bara rösta i den vallokal som står på ditt röstkort. Där står också adressen till vallokalen och vilka tider den har öppet.

Vem får rösta?

För att ha rösträtt till riksdagen måste du vara svensk medborgare, ha fyllt 18 år senast på valdagen och någon gång ha varit folkbokförd i Sverige.

1. 1För att ha rösträtt till kommun- och landstingsfullmäktige måste du vara folkbokförd i kommunen/länet och ha fyllt 18 år senast på valdagen. Om du är medborgare i annat land än Sverige, Europeiska Unionens medlemsländer, Norge eller Island måste du ha varit folkbokförd i Sverige tre år i följd före valdagen.
2. 2De uppgifter som finns om dig i folkbokföringen 30 dagar före valdagen bestämmer om och var du får rösta.

Kontaktuppgifter till valmyndigheten

Valmyndigheten Tel: 020-825 825 (från utlandet: +46 8 635 69 00)

1. 1Hemsida: http://www.val.se
2. 2E-post: valet@val.se
3. 3Kommunen: Kontaktuppgifter står på röstkortet
4. 4Länsstyrelsen: Kontaktuppgifter står på röstkortet

Socialdemokraterna kan inte vänta längre!

2010-09-03

Mer information om röstning
Rösta i vallokal på valdagen den 19 september

Du kan bara rösta i den vallokal som står på ditt röstkort. Där står också adressen till vallokalen och vilka tider den har öppet.

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Take back Skarpnäck streets

Ta tillbaks Skarpnäck torget.MPG
Community members protesting against the waythe township streets have been planned. They simply want to have the cars out of their street so that their children can cross the roads to and from the railways station without danger of car accidents including polution.

Annah Lindh skola i Kenya part 2

A Nursary school constructed and supported by the spirit of solidarity with the most needy ones. Beatrice Lundgren runs the children nursery school together with Lars Asker and other active as well as paid up members. Kindly get in touch with Beatrice or Lars through through this blog and you will be immediatelly connected with them.
Listen to the clip below to learn more about the Annah-Lindh Kampi ya moto Nursery school.

Lidh support party part 3

Moses Troubadour. One man guitar entertaining guests at the support party for Annah-Lind Kampi ya moto nursary school in Kenya.

Diaspora Iranian civil society activists

http://www.youtube.com/v/9tCfxzv7Fs8?fs=1&hl=en_US

Mwaura Njuguna

The only Kenya vying for the councillor seat in a Swedish community. Mwaura Njuguna is Social democratic Diaspora Kenya who is a devoted politician and a charismatic family man. Mwaura, also known as Daniel  is now in the line-up to be voted for in the forthcoming general election in Sweden. Please go and vote for the Re-Green parties and above all, for Mwaura in Botkyrka. It is significant to know that if you don’t go and vote, the Swedish demokraterna (Extreme right) party may get access to the parliament and you all know what they stand for. Don’t give the racist a chance by not voting.

I always say, this country is mine too and I love it as much as I love my mother Kenya. Take care of it against the racist who wants to destroy it. They should know that Sweden is a country of immigrants. Things would fall apart if it were not for the heroic contribution by immigrants who takes all the jobs the natives it’s not clean for them. Many immigrants also sells the image of this country out there in the world at very high levels for example Zlatan Ibrahimovich, the King Carl the 16th Gustav, Her highness the Queen of Sweden and all her royal family.

Immigrants are the motor in the engine of this nation. They deserve a better representation. Jimmy Åkersso..what-his-name-may-be and his SD party politics are really tiring to think about.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Mwaura Njuguna

Originally uploaded by Diasporakenyan

Mwaura Njuguna

During Kenya’s Constitution promulgation ceremony for Diaspora Kenyans. Photo by Ngais brothers.

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Kenya: Census results and the tribe factor

Image via Wikipedia

I would like to thank my brother from Canada brother Joel Ole Purkei for such a nice conversation we had on phone hours ago. It was really motivating and you make me belief more now than ever, that we the systematically marginalised pastoral population of Kenya shall soon rise to claim our God given rights from bad governance. Olepurkei is a political science graduate currently studying Aviation in Canada. The brother found this blog and went on to search for my phone. It was really  a warm conversation. Thank you.

Well, below is  foot-prints of you (Purkei) on internet.

Like you, I  feel that there is a political motive behind this move by the bureau. Read what Purkei wrote on Standard newspaper on 02/09/2010;

As a Kenyan working and living in Canada, the census figures on the number of Maasai left me shocked.

I cannot believe Oparanya could read out such low numbers that are obviously untrue. The average Maasai woman gives birth to at least six children. Their population has been steadily rising although this increase is not captured in the census results.

It appears we have been taken for a ride for political reasons yet unknown. The Maasai leaders and the community must stand up and reject these ridiculous figures that raise more questions than answers.

Anybody who has visited Maasailand can attest to the fact that community numbers have exploded in the last few decades. One only needs to go to places like Kiserian, Narok, Kajiado and Transmara to get the true picture.

Credible estimates from respectable sources here put the community numbers at between 1.5 to 2.1 million and rising. There are correct ways of carrying out a broad-based national census that must be adopted.

Joel Ole Purkei.

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Nalotu-Esha and Paraga in town

Summer 2010- Natolu Esha tour-guides Paraga in town.

From Araga in town!

Socialdemokraterna:Vi kan inte vänta! Please go and vote tomorrow.

Det hänger på dig och mig!

Nu är alla debatter tagna, alla knappar tryckta och de flesta opinionsundersökningar gjorda.

Men det återstår fortfarande 32 timmars kampanjande. 32 timmar glädjefullt slit i trappuppgångar och på torg, i radhusområden och där människor möts.
Själv är jag idag i Stockholm och i morgon i Norrköping ochLinköping.

Slaget är inte avgjort, avståndet till motståndarna minskar i alla undersökningar. “Hade vi bara tagit med det senaste dygnets intervjuer, från torsdag eftermiddag till fredag eftermiddag, så hade det varit princip jämnt mellan blocken.” Det säger United Minds opinionschef i Aftonbladet idag.

Vi kan alltså vinna om vi alla gör vårt yttersta!

I vågskålen ligger vilket Sverige vi vill ha. Fler lärare, lägre ungdomsarbetslöshet och en anständig sjukförsäkring eller stora skattesänkningar, mest åt de som redan har.

Påminn vänner och bekanta, släkt och alla du möter att rösta. Varje soffliggarröst är en röst för ökade klyftor och den sittande regeringen.

Nu tar vi dom!

Ibrahim Baylan

PS. Glöm inte att påminna om att den som ångrat sin förtidsröst kan rösta i sin vallokal som vanligt och att det är den rösten som räknas. D

Rödgrön regeringsplattform

NU vinner VI!

Photo by Ole Ngais

Photo by Ole Ngais

• Socialdemokraterna
• Valet 2010
• Rödgrön regeringsplattform

http://www.youtube.com/v/Y7aY9AeCW0I?f=videos&app=youtube_gdata

Rödgrön regeringsplattform

Den rödgröna regeringsplattformen är presenterad. Vi tar ansvar för framtiden. Sverige ska tillbaka till överskott i de offentliga finanserna. För en ny rödgrön regering står jämlikheten i fokus.

Priset för regeringens skattesänkarpolitik är en farligt hög ungdomsarbetslöshet och cirka 25 000 försvunna jobb i skola, vård och omsorg. Nu vill de borgerliga fortsätta på den inslagna vägen i fyra år till. Det skulle leda till att Sverige slits isär och på så sätt äventyras de långsiktiga förutsättningarna för jobb och tillväxt.

Sverige behöver en ny färdriktning. Vi väljer nya jobb istället för klyftor. Vi väljer bättre skola, vård och omsorg istället för skattesänkningar för dem som tjänar mest. Vi väljer aktivt klimatarbete istället för passivitet. Vilket Sverige väljer du?

Nya jobb och stark ekonomi eller skattesänkningar till varje pris?

I en ny rödgrön regering vill vi:

• Ta Sverige tillbaka till överskott i de offentliga finanserna
• Skapa 100 000 nya jobb, praktik- och utbildningsplatser
• Slopa arbetsgivaravgiften för arbetsgivare som anställer unga utan jobb
• Förbättra villkoren för småföretag genom sänkta socialavgifter, sänkt moms i restaurangbranschen och ökad tillgång till riskkapital
• Skapa en effektiv a-kassa som alla har råd att vara med i och som ger en rimlig inkomsttrygghet. Stärka rätten till trygga jobb och fasta anställningar.

Välfärd i världsklass eller skattesänkningar till varje pris?

I en ny rödgrön regering vill vi:

• Investera minst 12 miljarder mer i skola, vård och omsorg
• Sänka maxtaxan i förskolan med 360 kronor för första barnet och 240 kronor för andra – det vill säga 600 kronor för en tvåbarnsfamilj
• Anställa 6 000 fler lärare i grundskolan
• Genomföra ett kompetenslyft i förskolan och sätta upp ett nytt mål om max fem barn per anställd i förskolan
• Avskaffa pensionärsskatten. Pension är uppskjuten lön. All inkomst av tjänst ska beskattas lika
• Vård efter behov, inga gräddfiler. Fler hemläkarbilar, närakuter och kvällsöppna vårdcentraler. Fri tandvård för personer upp till 25 år
• Stupstocken i sjukförsäkringen ska avskaffas. Utförsäkrade som behöver det ska återförsäkras. Ersättningen för sjukskrivna ska förbättras. Ingen blir frisk av att bli fattig.

Klimatsmart Sverige eller skattesänkningar till varje pris?

I en ny rödgrön regering vill vi:

• Investera 100 miljarder i infrastruktur, kollektivtrafik och höghastighetståg
• Behålla ROT-avdraget hela mandatperioden och utvidga det med en klimatbonus
• Införa ett klimatavdrag så att fastighetsavgiften tas bort i tre år för de hushåll som investerar i sin bostad och sänker energiförbrukningen med 30 procent
• Nytt Klimatinvesteringsprogram – för att stimulera lokalt klimatarbete
• Stöd till dem som vill göra om sin bensinbil till en miljöbil

Kortversion – Rödgrön regeringsplattform

Läs hela den rödgröna regeringsplattformen

Sidan uppdaterades senast: 2010-09-04 15:46

You need your photos? Check with Ole Ngais

Photo by Ole Ngais

http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf
I have very nice photos of you. Photoman.se is in the business of Multimedia production. If you deposit 200 kr to My Paypal account: olengais@gmail.com I will send 10 pictures to you.

Next time we have a function I make sure I focus my Nikon D500 on your direction and ensure I record memories of you in the society for future generations.

Support Ole Ngais photoman.se to support you in this endeavour.

Alternatively, deposit 200kr to My Nordea account Number which will be sent to you at request:

Our prices are competitive. You can ask for SINGLE-IN-2010 discount  if you have a single income (less than 25.000 kr.)

Single mothers will always enjoy our discounts.

You’ll pay 1.000 kr less for every service.G

For photography, we use a D 5000 Nikon with a 18-200 lens.  We can capture exactly every moment.

The picture above was taken with a Nikon D60. We know how to play with light.

Video & Still Photography
Packages.

Video with editing.

SKR 3.000
1. Graduation ceremony

Still photo without editing.

SKR 2.500

1. Birthday  ceremony.

SKR. 1.500.

Children photography including before and after ceremony: 5 hours at SKR. 1.500

We work according to your demands. We will be very happy to follow your instructions to ensure you attain maximum satisfaction with our photo and video services. We want you to get the value of your investment.

Do not hesitate to make a price quotation request photome@photoman.se or call +467 374 20566.

Note that many of our prices are approximate. Sometimes negotiation is applicable.

All digital pictures delivered on CD / DVD or memory card. You will make your own copies as you wish.

Photoman.se must be contacted first before any photo is used in any other way other than personal use. Photoman.se or Photo by Ole Ngais including website link must used in conjunction with the use of our photos in any other way apart from what was intended before.

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Social democrats in Sweden: We cannot wait!

Mobile cam: Photo by Ole Ngais

Four more years with the Moderates will be a disaster for our Universal social welfare.  Now is your turn to turn things around and stop the Moderates and their Alliance from selling of the country to other countries. Imagine they say that the State should not own but they can sell State’s property to China, to America, to Netherlands and other nations. Tomorrow is the day and your voice is your most powerful weapon-Use it properly.

The most important issue is to go and vote tomorrow. You voice will determine who will govern you and me for the next coming 4 years. Do you want to have a non friendly racist party coming in to OUR parliament, or do you want to retain a party that does not consider SOLIDARITY as necessary any more?

Moderates don’t care about the needy, they care about the rich and powerful. They consider SOLIDARITY as beneficial for the poor and weak or for those who, due to lack of money, cannot buy their needs.

Social democrats loves the word SOLIDARITY! They build this nation together with immigrants with the help of among other this word called SOLIDARITY.

They have practically worked to fulfill the demands of this powerful terminology. Social democrats knows that we need to be more solidarity now than we have ever been.

http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

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Sweden. Xenophobia: Far right Anti-immigrant party in parliament.

Photo by Ole Ngais

A very dangerous wave is sweeping through Europe. It’s like Europe is revisiting the 1930′s politics. Now Sweden has its own racist party. SD (Swedish democrats. They got access to parliament for the first time according to the yesterday’s general election results. They (SD-) won 20 seats in parliament out of 349 seats.

My party Social democratic party together with Left and Green parties won 154 seats while the incumbent alliance of Centre-Right party won 172 seats way short of their own majority in parliament.

Now the Far right party will be a balancing force in parliament. Sverigedemomcrats

The problem is who is going to cross borders and cooperate with the far right anti-immigrant party. So far they  the Red-Green block closes all doors? The Moderates are saying no too but how is it going to work practically?

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Sweden: Stockholm on sale.

Stockholm is on sale! There will be very high chances that the Alliance will be selling off more of the national property as they have done for the last 4 years while in power. This human friendly universal system build upon principles of equality and solidarity where man and woman produces according to their ability and receives according to their need is now being dismantled by the capitalist oriented Alliance.

With this knowledge at hand, you may join the wave and enrich yourself. It’s now time if you have money to invest on property. Stockholm is a very well organized city with very attractive and durable property including Swedish Churches and church houses, City hall maybe on sale soon, roads and water system, central heating system.
The conservancies and parks, or the tunnel system in the city. You can also buy the King’s castles or the city halls if you can afford.

Postal system is long gone, public housing is continuously on sale, schools are on continuous auction while children in public schools increase in number, proportionality of teachers in public schools  decrease and private schools multiply.

Children from middle class families may start to migrate to private schools when they become more attractive than the public schools. Schools will be choosing children instead of children choosing schools.

You can buy the voting system and manage it privately. Let us now do like what they do in America, the rich shall be richer and the poor shall for sure be poorer. With the Alliance in power(although in minority government) The class ridge is increasing.

The sick, the jobless, children from non wealthy categories, old people, public schools and many more shall have to pay from their pockets to buy queue numbers and jump those who don’t have money. Tax payers money shall go to financing rich-men and women house keepers while public health care and public chemists are sold to other States or rich men.

Free tax zones shall be introduced where immigrants may go and spend their little coins and avoid the major cities where the havs shall find their luxuries. This is a modern Sweden.
Where is the world ending to?

Saidimu Ole Ngais.
http://www.youtube.com/v/w7VwLTVR7bA?hl=en&fs=1

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Sweden: People's parliament against far right anti-immigrant party

http://www.youtube.com/v/fXzZ5Zj9Cyw?fs=1&hl=en_US

People's parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 2

http://www.youtube.com/v/YN4WOsKoy0M?fs=1&hl=en_US

People's parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 3

People’s parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 3
http://www.youtube.com/v/eN2F8SOGKe4?fs=1&hl=en_US

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People's parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 4

People\’s parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 4

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http://www.youtube.com/v/GRMU5TYxt7Y?fs=1&hl=en_US

People's parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 1

People’s parliament against Extreme Right SD party part 1

http://widgets.vodpod.com/w/video_embed/Video.4481799

Sweden: People’s parliament against far right a…, posted with vodpod

Slide show: Pictures from people's parliament against Swedish democrats.

Slide show: Pictures from people’s parliament against Swedish democrats.
http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

People's parliament against SD part 6

People’s parliament against SD part 6
http://www.youtube.com/v/z769wO3UK7E?fs=1&hl=en_US

Swedish Muslim against racism.

Stop racism. People’s parliament against SD
Swedish Muslim against racism.

http://www.youtube.com/v/eEgYSWTuwY0?fs=1&hl=en_US

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Upcoming demonstration against far-right in Stockholm. Come and demonstrate with us on October 4th 2010 by the Swedish parliament. The demonstration train starts at 18 hours from Sergeltorps and goes all the way to the parliament. Let us isolate Jimmy and his Racist party. Let them change mind and come back to sanity. Let them realize that all human beings are created equal.
Come and be part of this history together with all people of sound moral and political opinion against Far-Right-Anti Immigrant Swedish democrats

Inga Rasister i vår Riksta
http://www.youtube.com/v/_dtMyzSyvtU?fs=1&hl=en_US

Kenyan in Sweden looses both father and little brother.

Our sister Lillian Peyianoi from Narok Kenya who resides in Stockholm  lost her father and younger brother in Kenyan. The family is deeply troubled by the lose of two family members who departed one after the other.

The Kenyan family informed Lillian by phone that her beloved father died instantly following a very short illness.

The old man was  driven from his home in Narok to Nairobi  for  routine medical checkup .  At the arrival the driver (his son) reported that the father  suddenly started sweating furiously in the car.
With his mobile phone, the son called for first aid help from a Nairobi clinical expert who advised him to give him something to drink and drive him immediately to the Nairobi casualty.
The father sat in the car and simply slept in. He was later admitted to the ICU where he was confirmed dead the following day.
On another incident, Peyianoi little brother was found dead following what is reported as a road accident.
Reports from villagers  indicates though that the situation from which Peyianoi’s brother died leaves more questions than answers. Forensic experts are still working with the case.

Friends and family are mourning with our sister and her family during this very difficult times.

Saidimu Ole Ngais and his family would like to send heartfelt condolences to the entire deceased family.

We share your sorrows. We may never understand the emptiness you are facing today, but be assured that we know and feel the pain of loosing a loved one.

May the two members of our community find peace in eternity.
May you find strength to go on.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Höstmöte Anna-Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya moto.

Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya Moto, Kenya

höstmöte

torsdag den 14 oktober

Kl 19 -21 samlingssalen Bagarmossens kyrka, Laga plan 6 i Bagarmossen*

Program

• Information om förskolan Anna Lindh Nursery School och stödföreningen
• Massajer – föredrag om folket i södra Kenya
• Kenyansk förtäring och te/vtn /kaffe
• Lotteri, smyckesförsäljning

Med tanke på förtäringen vill vi gärna ha anmälan till Lars Asker tel 08384855 alt 0705852310 alt lars.asker@telia.com Kostnad 50:- för allt. Ev överskott går till förskolan.

Välkommen!

*T:bana nr 17 till Bagarmossen, förbi korvkiosken och snedda över torget, tar ett par minuter

Stödföreningen Anna Lindhförskolan Kampi ya Moto, Kenya

c/o  AnneMarie Wohlin Dalgårdsvägen 28 121 33 Enskededalen tel 070 5761044

Org.nr 802450-9229  Plusgiro 550920-3  Bankgiro 621-6980   20100507.

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Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya Moto, Kenya höstmöte torsdag den 14 oktober Kl 19 -21 samlingssalen Bagarmossens kyrka, Laga plan 6 i Bagarmossen* Program

• Information om förskolan Anna Lindh Nursery School och stödföreningen
• Massajer – föredrag om folket i södra Kenya
• Kenyansk förtäring och te/vtn /kaffe
• Lotteri, smyckesförsäljning

Med tanke på förtäringen vill vi gärna ha anmälan till Lars Asker tel 08384855 alt 0705852310 alt lars.asker@telia.com Kostnad 50:- för allt. Ev överskott går till förskolan. Välkommen! *T:bana nr 17 till Bagarmossen, förbi korvkiosken och snedda över torget, tar ett par minuter Stödföreningen Anna Lindhförskolan Kampi ya Moto, Kenya c/o  AnneMarie Wohlin Dalgårdsvägen 28 121 33 Enskededalen tel 070 5761044 Org.nr 802450-9229  Plusgiro 550920-3  Bankgiro 621-6980   20100507.

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Members required: Anna Lindh Nursery School Kampi ya moto Kenya

This announcement  is in Swedish only targeted for Swedish speakers only. An English translation will be available in due time. We ask for your understanding.

Bli medlem i Stödföreningen  Anna Lindhförskolan i Kenya!

Sedan fyra år tillbaka får föräldralösa och fattiga barn gå i Anna Lindhförskolan i Kampi ya Moto i Kenya.  I förskolan, som drivs under mycket enkla förhållanden, går ett 80-tal barn och fler står i kö för att få plats. Förskolan behöver byggas ut och det finns stort behov av ekonomiska resurser till lärare och studiematerial. Många av barnen har föräldrar som avlidit i Aids och de bor hos släktingar – ofta morföräldrar – som gör stora insatser för sina barnbarn, men som själva har det ekonomiskt svårt. Drömmen är att hjälpa barnen till en bättre framtid genom utbildning.

Anna Lindhförskolan har startats av och drivs av Beatrice Kamau Lundgren som kom till Sverige som flykting och som nu bor på Skarpnäcksfältet i Stockholm. Beatrice är bland annat ledamot i kyrkorådet i Skarpnäcks församling. Skolan har fått sitt namn efter godkännande av Anna Lindhs make Bo Holmberg.

För att stödja Anna Lindhförskolan har några intresserade personer startat ”Stödföreningen Anna Lindhförskolan i Kenya”. Stödföreningen är ickepolitisk och religiöst obunden.  Föreningen leds av en styrelse, som väljs vid medlemsmöte, och föreningens ekonomi granskas av vald revisor. Alla insatser i stödföreningen sker på ideell grund. Inga arvoden utbetalas.

Du kan stödja Anna Lindhförskolan i Kenya genom medlemskap i stödföreningen och/eller genom ekonomiska bidrag via plusgiro 550920-3 eller bankgiro 621-6980. Skriv namn, adress och gärna e:postadress. Medlemsavgiften är 100 kronor per år.

Pengarna sänds av stödföreningen direkt till skolans föreståndare Fredrick Waweru Njhia. Just nu är läget akut, lån har tagits för att klara lärarlöner och mat till barnen!

Information om förskolan och Stödföreningen Anna Lindhförskolan i Kenya ges av Beatrice Lundgren tel  08-6044185 pastor_bea@hotmail.com,  Anne-Marie Wohlin, ordförande, tel 08-659 5190 annemarie.wohlin@telia.com och  Lars Asker, sekr/kassör, tel 08 384855 lars.asker@telia.com

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Diaspora Kenyans in Scandinavia: Your photos for download.

Friends, Find photo’s from the Constitutional promulgation ceremony in Stockholm hosted by the Kenyan embassy in Stockholm septermber 11th 2010 in Stockholm.

More pictures will be uploaded gradually. Get in touch If you want to have a full CD of the entire ceremony presented on  a pictorial slide.

Find your pics and download them for your personal consumption. Please give credit to the Ngais brothers, Photoman.se or simply indicate photo by Ngais and in that way you and us will be happy for many years to come.

Thank you for giving us the opportunities to show you how photogenic you all are!
The Ngais brothers,
Photoman.se

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Kenya: Happy Mashujaa Day

Sankale: Traffic, pot-holes, elections and Kenya island in Sweden.

In the video: Sankale tells about his personal experience during his September 11 visit to Sweden where he met and entertained Diaspora Kenyans for free.
Sankale and his co-worker Makoha gave account of of all the culture shock and other direct experiences they were faced with directly from Arlanda Airport. Take and listen to him cracking diaspora Kenyans ribs at the Kenyan house in Nacka Forum Stockholm.

From 2010 dk constitutional promulgation

Olexander Sankale rib cracking in Stockholm: Traffic, pot-holes, Swedish election and Kenya island in Nacka.
Olexander aka Peter Sankale entertains Kenyans at the Kenyan house in Nacka Forum in Sweden during the Diaspora Kenyans Promulgation ceremony hosted by the Embassy on September 11th 2010.
Video by Ole Ngais.

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African theme in Bagarmossen

From Theme Africa in Bagarmossen 2010

From Theme Africa in Bagarmossen 2010

http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf

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Pillar of democracy released! Suu Kyi walks free.

After a prolonged period of unnecessary confinement, one of the pillars for democracy in Asia has been released. Aung San Suu Kyi‘s  suppression by the Burmese Junta was aimed at denying Burma the right to a democratic and legitimate governance. I expect her release to be full and that she ‘ll be allowed to take-up her endeavor for a democratic Burma. I join hands with the rest of the world leaders in asking the Burmese Junta to release all other political prisoners with immediate effect.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

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Ngais at playground

Ngais and kids at playground in Bagarmossen. Autumn is getting to its end and winter snow has already fallen. Paraga has experienced his first time in snowy weather-he thinks its a lifetime memory registered both in his brain image box and in his Nikon D60! He loves it and he wants to see even more snow. I am not sure how he’ll react to the darkness though. That is the only part I sincerely can’t get used to in this country.
Winter snow and Ice is OK as long as I dress well but I can’t protect myself from 6 moths of the darkness.
Anyway enjoy the pics.
Saidimu.

You're limiting yourself!

You are the architect of your owner destiny; you are the master of your own fate; you are behind the steering wheel of your life. There are no limitations to what you can do, have, or be. Accept the limitations you place on yourself by your own thinking. (Brian Tracy)

The making of an indigenous programmer

How can we eradicate the practice, when people ignore the mechanism and continue to uphold myths and misunderstandings?

 

How can we eradicate the practice, when people ignore the mechanism and continue to uphold myths and misunderstandings?

Below is Ngais’ reaction following a question put across by 

Simone Schwarz

“FGM is among the most systematic and most widely spread forms of mistreatment and violation of children’s rights in the world – with over 3 million victims every year in Africa alone. How can we erradicate the practice, when people ignore the mechanism and continue to uphold myths and misunderstandings?”

Thanks a lot for the support. Knowledge base anything has proven to be the most effective way of creating, upholding and inheriting to the next generations, any kind of positive change and development. Take for example me, My brother Paraga Paraga Memusi Ole Ngais, my daughter, his daughters when he gets them, will for sure not be cut. Why? Because we have, through awareness and boldness, widen the boundaries of our imaginations. We have, like many others in our situation, seen our sisters getting cut, not really because my father or mom are evil people, but because they did not have a better alternative. Now, the greatest woman on earth, the woman who knows the rights of woman and who taught my brothers and I, to always stand up for them, is coming to Stockholm soon. She attain the first opportunity before our father to visit us and widen her perspective on issues and share the new boundaries of our imaginations they so much fought with all what they had to buy to us. They sold all what they had to send us to school that is why we can now stand up and say to them, daddy mommy, you wanted us to be enlightened in the formal way, you dearly paid for it? oh well, here we are, the product of your sweat, the ENLIGHTENED LOT, ready to pull down any wall that separate any individual in our society from their inalienable(can not be given or taken away) rights and those provided unto them by their constitution. Most of our parents have agreed with us and they have given us the mandate by, for example, voting green in the last constitutional referendum in Kenya, to help the youth to pass a homegrown constitution which is modern fair and just to all, unlike the colonial one we were oppressed under. The key word here is ENLIGHTENMENT, EMPOWERMENT WITH ENLIGHTENMENT IS THE KEY TO ANY POSITIVE CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT IN ANY CORNER OF THE WORLD, AS LONG AS HUMAN BEINGS ARE CONCERNED. Look what is happening now in the Arab world, Men, democracy is coming in with all force courtesy of the youth with Facebook as a powerful tool to reckon with. YES, IT IS POSSIBLE AND IT WILL BE DONE. Creation of awareness, the most lethal weapon against any enemy is our brains. I am not sure where the human soul resides, but am sure it resides in the same residence whether you’re black, white, brown, yellow, female, male,gay,lesbian, evil, good, passive,violent or name it or if you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist or Atheist… The soul of human beings knows what is right and what is wrong!! Given proper environment, responsible social cultural, economical and political governance, all human beings can shed their less favorable traditions to embrace those new once which are functional and which helps them to survive. The Maasai for example, use to cut their girls, to be able to create a system netted together with blood and trust that even if the men migrated with their cows following weather patterns, their trustworthy women shall not invite in the the enemy or potential enemy/neighbor to sleep in their marital beds and corrupt the society. FGM, in my interpretation, was used as a political tool to govern and control society against any intruder even if it is painful to a few, say, women. They used the knife to make age groups, age sets and ensure community unity around the ceremony of the knife and a long lasting celebration of age grouping and setting. This is tragic to many but many who knows the societies from which fgm is practiced can deeply explain the deeper picture, structures and also be able to approach the problem. In Samburu for example, Women are not allowed to conceive if they are not cut, the reason you see such forced abortions like what was highlighted n the David McKenzie’s CNN story of “The Rape beads” and discussed at length on facebook, follow link here; https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_148792435182413&view=permalink&id=167244913337165 So How can we eradicate fgm when societies don’t listen, educate their children!!! Sponsor their professionals to be agents of positive change and development, capture the moment by empowering the victims in a very respectful way, to tap in their potential to influence their own culture, Create awareness from day one until the end of such practices. Have some cultural exchange, invite 100 Samburu or Maasai, or Muslim women for exchange, build a vocational center or polytechnics, adult education facilities so that parents don’t have to long for dowry as a desperate alternative for income for their families.The writer was educated with dowry, a thing that has brought him a long lasting trauma. His daughters shall not be cut and his siblings have also understood that fgm is nothing for us. His indigenous knowledge has been combined with the formal western knowledge and a hybrid of awareness has been installed in the head of this local boy, who became a warrior, and who carries with him, both the childhood trauma and the sacred words of his mother, to always be on the side of the weakest, and always, uphold dignity at all cost. What other way is better? Lets dialogue ahead to our common goal, an FGM free EARTH.

To get perspective, I feel I need to have input from the following FGM active agents. Kindly provide your approach below so that we can learn from each other or even formulate a working paper together. Maybe someone begin to arrange an international ANTI FGM agents meeting? On SKYPE??? OR Physical meeting? Thanks a lot. 1.https://www.facebook.com/MashuaAgainstFGM. 2.https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7878728044 . 3.https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_123894040958251 . 4. https://www.facebook.com/ENDFGMNOW?ref=ts&sk=wall . 5. https://www.facebook.com/stopfgmnow?ref=ts&sk=wall . 6. https://www.facebook.com/pages/STOP-STOP-FGM-NOW/130520246988025?ref=ts&sk=wall . 7.https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mashua-Against-FGM-Australia/127460027268155 . 8. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Somali-Men-Against-FGM/201581039881000 . 9.https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=316126483841 . 10. https://www.facebook.com/dosomething?ref=ts&sk=wall

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Paraga and Sokoyian on a summer winter day.

A CORNER OF A FOREIGN FIELD

Around 50 kilometres outside Nanyuki, up on the dry and dusty northern slopes of the Lolldaiga hills in the Great Rift Valley, sits the little village of Il Polei. Anyone who makes the journey there can expect to see all sorts of rare and fantastic things: buffalos and elephants, gerenuks and baboons, and, if they’re very lucky, possibly even a group of 20 or so Maasai warriors practicing their cover-drives on a freshly cut cricket strip.

 

Cricket came to this corner of Kenya only a few years back, entirely because of the efforts of one South African woman. Her name is Aliya Bauer, and she is the coach of a team called the Maasai Cricket Warriors. Bauer is what the Australians would call a ‘cricket tragic’, a player, a scorer, a coach and a fan. Seven years ago she was posted to Il Polei to work on a research project about baboons. “I was out here in the bush. I didn’t have any chance to see any cricket, because I didn’t have a TV,” Bauer says, chuckling at the memory. “I really missed it. So I thought if there’s no one here to play with, I’ll just have to teach the people here how to play it.”

 
She got some basic equipment and a few soft balls from back home, and went in to the local school to do an introductory session. The boys took to it, and she agreed to come back and coach them twice a week. The Maasai tribesmen passing the playing field were intrigued by this novel new sport, and would stop to watch. Their curiosity soon turned into a desire to have a go themselves. One of them was Nissan Jonathan Ole Meshami. These days he is the captain of the Cricket Warriors, but back then he was a cowherd, the youngest child of a family of 11, who spent his days “wandering long distances with his cattle in the blazing heat in search of grazing and water. It was through chance and luck that I witnessed some cricket taking place at the school,” Nissan says. “And after watching I wanted to try it out. I was fascinated by the bowling, and silently I was confident that I could master it especially with my powerful arm and spear-throwing ability.”

 

Nissan grew up herding his family’s goats and sheep. “While out in the bush I developed the skills to protect myself from wild animals,” he says. “I mastered the art of throwing a spear at a very early age and I also became good at throwing stones long distances. If required I chased the animals away by throwing stones at high speed in their direction. This regular practice of throwing stones allowed me to develop a strong and powerful throwing arm.”

 
He was, in short, a bit of a natural, particularly as a bowler. So Bauer drove off to an expat cricket tournament that was being held 90 minutes drive away, begged some proper kit off the players, and started coaching the Maasai men as well as the children. “With each passing week it got to a few more people coming,” Bauer says. “And we pretty much had enough to make up a whole team. Maasai warriors have a naturally competitive nature, they want to prove themselves better than their friends, so they persevered. Especially with the bowling, which they saw as being a little like spear-throwing.”

 

In the holidays some of the children in Il Polei who were studying at another school joined in with the training sessions, and soon they too wanted to take it up. Bauer realised she needed a little more help, and made contact with the charity Cricket Without Boundaries. Last November they organised a coaching clinic for 56 locals, and secured enough kit to introduce the game to eight new local schools. In February CWB came back and targeted eight more schools and ran a proper Level One coaching course. Cricket is now being played by 15 primary schools, five secondary schools and three youth groups in the area.

 

The Masaai Cricket Warriors had also started to play proper matches. They lost their first ever game, to an expat side from Tanzania, by two wickets. “They had the upper hand in the bowling, but their catching let them down,” sighs Bauer. “They dropped six chances.”

 

“I have worked hard to master the basics and it is my wish to improve even more and to become the best,” Nissan says. “Bowling is my greatest asset and my spear-throwing abilities have ensured that I can deliver a cricket ball with some fast pace on it. I also enjoy batting, but nothing is more frustrating than getting out.” He now has his Level One coaching qualification. “This was the first time in my life that I have ever received a certificate for anything!” Nissan says. “As a qualified coach I am now able to teach children my community how to play this wonderful game.”

 

Better yet, being the person she is, Bauer has been using the cricket programme to target social problems in the Maasai community, such as the spread of Aids. The Maasai are traditionally polygamous, which has contributed to the syndrome’s growth. “The teachers also taught us how to incorporate HIV/Aids awareness into cricket and coaching,” Nissan says. “I now integrate HIV awareness into cricket. I teach the ABC approach – Abstinence, Be Faithful and Condom Use. Abstaining from sex is like a batsman abstaining from hitting balls in the air so he is not caught. Being faithful to ones partner is like how batsmen must communicate to decide whether to make a run or not. And use of condoms is like how batsmen must protect their wickets.”

 

More pleasing still for Bauer is how the schoolgirls have responded to the coaching. Maasai girls as young as 11 or 12 can be married off, and even if they are not they are still overburdened by onerous domestic duties at a similar age. “At first the girls were very reluctant, because in Maasai culture girls and women can be very oppressed. So they were very shy and very reserved,” Bauer says. “Just trying to communicate with them was a challenge, because they couldn’t even look at you. Then something remarkable happened, when they saw me coaching the guys every week they plucked up the courage to have a go. They came out of their shells and started expressing themselves through play. You could feel the sense of enjoyment, and that is something that is often denied them because they don’t really have time to be children.” Bauer finds that when the girls are in that more relaxed mindset it is easier to get them to open up and talk about taboo subjects like sex.

 

The Cricket Warriors themselves are now becoming role models for the community. They have been invited to play in the Last Man Stands Twenty20 Championship in Cape Town, and Bauer is desperately trying to raise the funds for them to go. “Many of the men have never even been to Nairobi,” she says. “And for them to get to play on proper grounds on well kept pitches, that would be a totally different cultural experience, cricket going beyond boundaries.”

 

As for their skills, well, Bauer admits they still have a little to learn about batting. “They’re so competitive that they all want to hit the ball as far as they can. Sometimes that kind of overrides the fact that we have to focus on technique and so they start going out and having a big slog. If you have only ever seen cricket on videos it can be hard to understand that it is a game of patience. They haven’t grasped that.” Her gentle exasperation will be familiar to amateur coaches everywhere. Some things about the game are always the same wherever you are, whether it’s a village green in Wiltshire, or a mud strip in the middle of the Great Rift Valley.

 

If you would like to find out more about the Masaai cricket warriors you can read about them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter or visit their website. You can also donate money through the site, if you would like to help the team are still trying to raise funds to travel to Cape Town. And if you are part of a particularly adventurous touring side, you could even arrange to go out on tour and play a game against them in Il Polei. So long as you think you can stand up to Nissan’s spear-throwing honed fast-pace bowling, that is.

 

• Thursday 1 December is World Aids day. Think Wise is a joint initiative between the ICC, Unaids and Unicef to promote HIV prevention and reduce stigma and discrimination towards those living with HIV

 

• This is an extract taken from the Spin, the Guardian’s free weekly cricket email. To sign up, click here.

Source: The Guardian

Why young morans are spoiling for war

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Why young morans are spoiling for war

Published on 27/11/2011
By ted malanda

Morans-in-training are in trouble. Not too long ago, they ambushed a village trading centre, beat up everyone in sight and stabbed an elder who tried to intervene.

Weeks later, they paid a hormone-induced courtesy call on a girls’ secondary school that sent girls scampering into the bush. They were hunting for wives.

“We shall return,” they warned darkly when the principal, with the aid of a few elders, managed to disperse them.

Now everyone is frothing. One newspaper columnist went so far as to refer to them as ‘morons’— not morans. Maasai leaders, all women, now want moranism scrapped because it’s ‘backward’ and affects ‘education standards’.

But we are getting it all wrong. We cannot expect morans to be defenders of the Maasai community and culture.

Morans cannot wake up today and go fighting the Meru or the Kamba for practice. They will be shot dead by GSU personnel. Equally, that old tale of moving from one place to another with livestock is suicidal because when your wives are out grazing the goats on ‘communal land’ in Syokimau, bulldozers come and flatten your manyatta because it’s on the airport flight path.

The reason you are grazing your goats in Nairobi is because the very same Nairobians have taken over your ancient grazing lands and converted them into real estate in Ongata Rongai, flower farms in Naivasha and wheat and barley plantations in Narok.

Spear a lion
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Initiation itself is not easy. Ideally, you need to spear a lion or two and kill many birds before senior elders give you the power to read. But any moran who tries spearing a lion will find himself answering tough questions from the Kenya Wildlife Service people.

Not that getting a wife is any easier. With everyone worrying about the girl child, all potential brides have been hustled away from the village to schools — far away from circumcisers — while the morans cool their heels in the bush. Every donor is channeling funds into these ‘special’ schools but nobody is developing special schools to teach morans how to elevate pastoralism to the dot.com age.

No war to fight

It doesn’t help that the Kenya Defence Forces and the police have hijacked the role of defending the community. So we have a situation where highly trained morans, hot blooded men skilled in the art of war, have no war to fight. Is it any surprise that they are inventing war by attacking women and village markets?

But then again, what those young morans are doing is no different from what university students do every now and then when they go on the rampage, looting, beating up people and robbing motorists.

So we all want to ‘save’ young Maasai girls and match with our potbellies to 2030 yet we expect morans to remain as they always have: Lean and handsome, standing arrogantly on picturesque plains with a spear in one hand — the perfect postcard picture for foreign tourists.

Come on!

My last comment, the one that made K4W to block me

With all due respect to the host, i’m getting to experience the inability to have a balanced debate at the K4W’s forum. To my best understanding the K4W is too “nationalistic” in their approach while I consider myself as a patriotic animal lover.

That is where I see the difference between myself as an indigenous animal lover and the artificial conservationists for instance. Their “nationalistic approach blinds them from the greater good for both animals and human life at large.

Nationalists are entirely subjective while patriots are objective in approach. For the wildlife to be truly conserved, you got to be a patriot, and objectively consider the preservation of both human and animal life… My point of entry to solving and preventing the conservation little dirty secrets, has always been JUSTICE for both human and animal life.


Nevertheless, this forum is for K4W and I respect that.
If you’re a patriot, who loves animals and human life, who consider fair conservation of our wild as an inevitable responsibility for all patriots, well, then,(Tu)Funguaeni ye(tu)nu for that matter ama vipi jamani?

Court blocks KWS, Moi park deal

This video may well be blocked in certain parts of the world. If it is, i suggest visiting the channel 4 website and seeing if they are still showing it for free on there  

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has suffered a setback in its plans to build a new national park in Laikipia on a 17,000-acre land parcel it had bought from former President Moi after a court order barred it from developing the plot.

Dr Noah Wekesa, the Forestry and Wildlife minister on Tuesday told parliament that KWS has ceased all activity on the land which the ministry will not gazette as a national park until the matter is resolved by the court.

This means that KWS will have to wait longer to build the park it is banking on to boost its financial health that has been hit by high operating expenses.

“KWS will accept the court orders and will not gazette the proposed park (Laikipia National Park),” Dr Wekesa said.

KWS had bought the land for Sh400 million with the help of Nature Conservancy, a US-based organisation. But 248 residents of the area, who have locked horns with Mr Moi over the ownership of the land, successfully obtained court orders restraining the wildlife custodian from implementing its plans until the matter is determined .

The residents allege that Mr Moi has been trying to forcibly evict them from the land which they claim to have lived on for over 90 years. Last week, the US-based Centre for International Human Rights Law and Advocacy threw its weight behind the community activists, threatening to sue KWS should it go ahead with its plans.

Laikipia is a tourism circuit popular with high-end visitors keen on luxury offerings such as tented camps and is home to prominent resorts such as Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Loisaba.

It has hosted prominent visitors such as British royals Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton. KWS currently has 33 national parks and reserves spread across the country.

The state-owned corporation that relies heavily on government support this year raised its park entry fees to cope with rising staff costs, park maintenance, animal stocking and migration.

In the latest increase, the fees were raised to $80 (Sh8,000) from a minimum of $60 (Sh6,000) on premium parks. In the special gazette notice, Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa also reviewed the fees structure by eliminating low and high season fees and introducing a flat rate charge in a bid to boost revenue.

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Foreign visitors previously paid $75 (Sh7,500) at Amboseli and Lake Nakuru parks during the peak seasons, which run from January to March and July to October.

Dr Wekesa said the review is aimed at boosting KWS coffers to allow it meet its conservation obligations, arguing that the efforts are becoming costly, causing the corporation to run a huge deficit.

The review comes less than a year after KWS increased its fees in January in what led to a 47 per cent rise in its turnover to Sh2.8 billion in the year to June 2010.

Its expenses rose to Sh4.6 billion from Sh3.7 billion –which left it with a deficit of Sh1.54 billion that was plugged by government (Sh860 million), donations (Sh170 million) and donor funding (Sh198 million).
vjuma@ke.nationmedia.com

Police attacks displaced Samburu at Kisargei

We’re not benefiting from the Wildlife conservation.

The tittle should actually read something like this:
Unfair distribution of natural resources, The case of Wildlife Conservation in Laikipia County
Unfair distribution of natural resources in laikipia county is generating a negative attitude towards wildlife conservation especially following the Eland land saga. ……

The Maasai/Samburu and other pastoral communities DO NOT(EQUALLY) benefit from natural resources in their midst.
Anglo Maasai Treaties have violated our rights to lands and natural resources thus minimizing our chances of surviving any kind of change.
Keeping our normal lifestyle is no longer an alternative since we do not own any land neither do we have resources to buy any while our population is expected to rise. The lands were sequestered to British ex servicemen and mobility.
There was no compensation for, neither was there restitution after independence.
Those acts violated the Indigenous Maasai rights to natural resources like grazing spaces for their livestock.
We are requesting the president to recognize our plight particularly regarding the Eland case which is still in court. The President of Kenya should not allow the Maasai/Samburu land in Laikipia to be donated to, sold, or converted to a National park before the court case is settled.
The history of the said land does not begin from the forceful and brutal eviction of the people who occupied it.To better understand the case, we need to gather facts from the country’s 100 years history.
Although the people from Eland land ware kicked out without a proper compensation or re-allocation in place,the community managed to open a case in court asking for the land sale or donation from AWF to the KWS to be stopped til the case in court is settled.
The government of Kenya’s main purpose by constitution is to protect the Kenyan people against internal and external enemies at all times.
All the Maa/Samburu people who occupied the Eland land may not be able to write this open letter or join the ongoing social network discussions to seek a honorable re-dress. Therefore, as a community Para-legal Worker, I have taken the mandatory obligation to initiate a dialogue. Injustice committed against one of us is injustice against all of us.
The Maa people who were made squatters have been among the most significant actors in protecting the wildlife in their neighborhood. These people have not yet seen the financial benefit of wildlife conservancies because the solid foreign income the country generates from tourism is yet to trickle down to the main protectors of this national treasure we’ll inherited. Since independence, it has been the government and the private settler and other native entities who have continued to enjoy the conservation revenues.
Aside with the economical injustice against the Maa indigenous and protectors of the wildlife, the nominal effect of the eviction is that the now made squatters shall have to move themselves to some place.
And where will that “place” be?
My personal guess is as good as your, may be Mukogodo colonial reserve of 1934 will be the new home for the forcefully evicted Samburu people.
As I write this, the systematically marginalized Mukogodo reserve residents are asking the president to give (us) land. This community have a viable land case that should be addressed and especially within the context of our homegrown constitution.
We have a lot of faith for our new constitution that it will have a lasting political solution for this borne of contention.
Unequal allocation of land before and after the colonial era is the bases of all injustices in Kenya. Land is the basis for our survival as a people, an inextricably linkage to self determination.
We believe that it is the root cause of tragic occurrences as the 2007 Post election violence that left more than 1.500 people dead and more than 600.000 people displaced.
Poor management and crime against the people of Kenya with impunity has fostered a culture of the strong feeding on the poor and ignorant. The ignorance of the masses, the negligence of the elected leaders and the systematic suppression of our unitary government is reflected on the plight of many Kenyans and in particular, the even more marginalized indigenous Maa/Samburu ethnic groups.
The Maa people have not been successful in pursuing land legal cases ever since their territorial lands were robbed from them before and after the colonial era.
The Maa/Samburu people find themselves on the loosing side because of notoriously poor leadership and, yes, ignorance of the masses and the silence of the good men and women out there.
Land case is a good example for serving justice but justice is not served in our formal legal systems. You need to be aware of the formal law and wealthy enough to “buy” justice. If you don’t have enough money to “buy” yourself a good lawyer, you’ll most likely loose.
Suppose the Samburu people of Laikipia looses the court case? Where shall all the forcefully evicted people go?
Laikipia is completely patched with animal sanctuaries and parks. The only human accepted areas are townships and Mukogodo colonial reserve.
If you ask anybody, those Samburu who’re now squatters, kept cows therefore they’ll not re-allocate to townships. They’ll most likely end up in Mukogodo reserve.
However,the land on which Mukogodo people occupy is barren. It can not take more people neither can it take any wild or domestic animals. It is dead.
That land can only be used for modern hybrid farming. That is if the government, community or other wealthy entities introduce green houses irrigation schemes and maybe zero grazing as a change of lifestyle among the Laikipia Maasai.
Given a good and just hearing, we might turn a tragic systemic injustice into an orchestrated harmony of peace and tranquility.
But still, Mukogodo has limited chances of supporting our community. It has become over grazed by both goats,sheep, donkeys and cows. The Eland eviction might end up creating resource based violence between the The Maa/Samburu in Laikipia in the very near future. Worse though, the Samburu cows from Eland will not survive the dry weather in Mukogodo.
Maasai domestic animals who’ve adapted to the harsh conditions in arid and semi arid weather still die during long droughts and famines due to various reasons. There is no proper grazing management due to lack of land.

The Maasai in Mukogodo can not follow their old seasonal migratory roots because they’re enclosed in small patch of dead land between huge White settler ranches. Moreover, poor animal marketing leads to the death of many animals who would otherwise be sold before the onset of the dry season.
The non existence of a meet industry in the neighborhood does not help the Mukogodo situation either. The prices are controlled by buyers.
The desperate seller will eventually have to submit to the buyer’s terms.

The pastoralist feels they are smoothly robbed in which ever business they venture into.
What do you do with your cows if you have no one to sell them to?
We produce a lot of raw material but we can not depend on them for a living.
For us, it’s like giving away a heifer for a peace of moccasin shoe for a school child.
I know of many resilient families who’re traumatized by the death of their animals but they keep on repeating the same process. Personally, I know this is near to insanity because we can not continue repeating the same traumatizing process and expect to get different results. Mukogodo people must embrace change or they die off like the big animals who may have been to big to change. That is the height of my personal self criticism.
But how then can we move on when we have limited resources.?
One idea could be:
Masses of unused land must be acquired by the government and be relocated to the needy people.
Then there after: Programs to develop acquired land to be formulated and implemented for the common good.
People must be activated to be more productive. How can we do that in Mukogodo?
Our people are living on handouts and relief food. It is a shame to our government when Maasai culture is as valuable to the tourist department as any other resource. Given the acquired productive land, the Laikipia population shall be re-organized in schemes for irrigation and eco-tourism programs under the watchful eye of our unitary and regional governments.
Animal and human Rights::We belief in the notion that all human beings are created equal. We all have the right to quality living. Animals too, have the right to be protected by us and respected as very reliable allies in our existence. Therefore, the acquisition of land must be done under stewardship of the constitution placing significance on balance sharing of our common natural inheritance.
Regarding the Maasai culture and the need for diversity: Our culture is vital but it is dying out at an alarming rate. It is almost only practiced for tourist entertainment. Maasai people must be given equal opportunities to integrate their culture with that of the modern world. This is in line with the right to multiculturalism and bio-diversity in both Animal and human kingdom. We confirm this to be an essential pillar for our liberties ,respect and equal acknowledgement between human and animal kingdoms.We therefore affirm that we can not conserve one life at the expense of another. The locally available resources are enough for all of us, we managed properly.
Recommendation
The Anglo-maasai treaties that led to the lost of land and natural resources such as The white highlands violates our social-cultural, economic and political rights. The Constitution of Kenya must find a long lasting political solution for such land sharing injustices in laikipia county. It’s very significant that the government refrain itself from perpetrating such injustices by not allowing itself to be manipulated like in the case of Eland farm. The government should denounce the land sale or donation by AWF to KWS or any other related purchase until the court case is settled. The Government should, even after the court case is settled, supervise a long lasting political solution for the land crises in Laikipia and else where. This step is to prevent future occurrences of such tragic violence like the 2007 post election violence.
2. More significantly, the government must with immediate effect compensate, and settle the forcefully evicted Samburu population. Failure to this, will lead to resource based violence wherever the Samburu Eland population will seek refuge.

3. Community owned fair-trade eco-tourism.
The idea of moving people for the sake of animals is perilous to the main idea of conservancy. Conventional knowledge dictates that if the community is involved in wildlife conservation and they get to utilize the generated wealth, the result will be obvious. The moment the population see their lives changing to the better due to the wealth generated by proper management of their wildlife, the more they’ll want to be involved.
A positive attitude will be projected when the community feels that they have full control of ownership, access and utilization of the solid foreign currency generated from the conservancy.

4. So far, the Maasai feels entirely excluded in terms of access, control, ownership or utilization of any conservancy Revenue from tourism and other natural resources from Maasailand. The revenue must be re-invested to improving the lives of Maasai people and those other communities living within the region.

The region must benefit from resources within their jurisdiction. Tricky point: The government should consider to fully ratify and implement the international convention that observe the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities. The UN draft declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples.
Kenya should not reserve itself on the ILO convention 169(108) regarding the rights of indigenous peoples.
In case of impossibilities to return lost land to Maasai, then restitution and compensation should be mandatory.

5. Similarly, private companies that are operating in Laikipia County must create employment opportunities to locals instead of importing workers When 99.9 percent of the Laikipia youth are jobless.

The game park and privately own huge lands surrounding Mukogodo shall contribute to our well-being.

6. Dormant land must be allocated to landless combating appraisal schemes like community irrigation and green house farming programs.Land acquired through criminal means must be returned to the people of Kenya.Infrastructure development.

7. Roads and social services establishment. Pri-schools, polytechnic, colleges and heath facilities should be considered a priority for a prior maintenance of our people while the local government establishes itself in the new county head quarters.

8. Training, health and veterinary personnel in pastoral areas should also be prioritized . People should feel they run their own-community appraisal issues. The main issue is to attain a natural co-existence between the Human and The Wildlife Kingdoms with both parties gaining from the peaceful nature of the other.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.

Kenya will protect its wildlife, asserts Kibaki

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 10 – President Mwai Kibaki has affirmed government’s commitment to step up conservation activities in the country to protect the country’s wildlife as a national heritage.

President Kibaki asserted that the government would in collaboration with key stakeholders facilitate the creation of protected areas where the country’s wildlife would roam freely and minimize human wildlife conflict.

The President was speaking at his Harambee House Office when he received a title deed for a 17,100 acre piece of land which has been designated as Laikipia National Park.
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Appreciating that the government recognises the role of conservation and tourism in the country’s economy, he said that priority would be given in the process of opening relevant corridors for wildlife migration.

President Kibaki also underscored the importance to create awareness among wananchi on the need to support various conservation initiatives in the country.

He thanked the two leading international bodies for their role in the conservation efforts and for their kind gesture in donating the national park.

He asserted that the country had adequate land to create protected areas for the wildlife as well as for human settlement and farming.

“The government is convinced and committed to wildlife conservation in the natural habitat,” asserted the President.

The newest national park in the country which hosts hundreds of varied species of wildlife was donated by the African Wildlife Foundation in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.

The Laikipia National Park provides a critical link between neighbouring protected areas allowing elephants, rhinos, big cats and other species to safely navigate a wildlife corridor that spans Central Laikipia.

Laikipia National Park was acquired from private conservationists at a cost of Sh393 million and was targeted for acquisition and be put under government stewardship due to its strategic location in regional wildlife linkage.

The outgoing Chairman African Wildlife Foundation Dennis Keller presented the ownership documents to President Kibaki. He expressed delight and optimism that the handing of the national park to government would herald new levels of wildlife protection in the area.

The AWF Vice-Chairman and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa thanked President Kibaki and the government for according the conservation bodies steadfast support in their endeavours.

Mkapa commended Kenya for being at the forefront of conservation efforts which he affirmed had made the country’s tourism sector world renowned thus becoming a model in Africa.

In attendance were assistant minister Josephat Nanok, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, Director Kenya Wildlife Service Julius Kipngetich and other senior government officials

Source: Capital News

Rights Groups Threaten to Sue KWS Over Samburu Perennial Land Disputes

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AN international human rights group is accusing the Kenya Wildlife Service for continuously trampling on the rights of the Samburu people and scheming to “illegally evict the community from Laikipia East District”.

In a letter seen by the Star and addressed to the KWS managing director Julius Kipngetich, the Center for International Human Rights Law and Advocacy is threatening to “pursue any legal means necessary to hold KWS accountable for its current unlawful actions against the Samburu people”.

The letter is among others copied to the Attorney General Githu Muigai, Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa and the Kituo Cha Sheria. The borne of contention is the decision by the wildlife body to purchase 17,000 acres of land in Laikipia to convert into a national park.

On November 1, the Business Daily reported that KWS had purchased 17,000 acres of land from former President Moi which it intends to turn into a nature conservancy called Laikipia National Park. “Since May of 2009, various groups have been trying to forcibly and illegally evict the Samburu people from this land you just purchased,” the letter says in part. It is signed by Travis LaSalle of the Centre

According to the letter, KWS purchase of the land was illegal because the Samburu have acquired rights to this land under the Kenyan Constitution and international law by residing on the land continuously for over 90 years. Besides, the said land is currently the subject of a lawsuit before Justice Joseph Sergon at the High Court in Nyeri reference number L.R. No. 10068.

The suit was filed by the Samburu against the African Wildlife Foundation and the former President to prevent illegal forcible evictions from their land. The Centre says KWS purchase of the land as well as actions taken before the purchase are indirect violation of the court ordered injunction. “KWS represents to the world that it is purchasing the land in the name of conservation, but neglects to disclose that in the process it will illegally remove whole communities of women, children, and elderly Samburu from the land leaving them homeless and without any place to go,” the letter says.

The letter further accuses KWS for failing disclose its true purpose which is to make millions of dollars in revenue from tourist visits to the conservancy. “The Center, the Samburu Community, and the international community are well aware of the true intentions and consequences of KWS’ recent purchase of the land and we will do everything within our means to continue to protect the Samburu people.

LaSalle says in the letter the Center is carefully documenting all actions taken by KWS and will pursue any legal means necessary in alliance to hold KWS accountable for its current unlawful actions. The actions includes filing to hold KWS in contempt of court. The Center has also vowed to report these actions to a variety of international human rights groups and governmental organizations.

Source: AllAfrica.com

Conservations Dirty Secrets – Part 1

This video may well be blocked in certain parts of the world. If it is, i suggest visiting the channel 4 website and seeing if they are still showing it for free on there

 

Moi sells Laikipia land for Sh400m to KWS

 

Moi sells land in Laikipia (By Business daily)

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has bought 17,000 acres of land in Nanyuki from former President Moi for Sh400 million to establish a national park as it seeks to grow high-end tourists.

Mr Moi has been using the land as a ranch and KWS says it will turn it into a conservancy awaiting accumulation of more land parcels in the area to eventually create a large national park.

“The park will be called Laikipia National Park and the land will in the meantime serve as a migration corridor for animals in the various private conservancies, including Ol Pejeta and Loi Saba,” said Julius Kipng’etich, the KWS director.

“We understand other owners of private game reserves in Laikipia are selling their land and we plan to raise money to buy the land establish a national park ,” said Dr Kipng’etich.

Laikipia is a tourism circuit popular with high-end tourists keen on luxury offering such as tented camps and it hosts prominent resorts such as Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Loisaba. It has hosted prominent visitors such as British royals Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton.

The transaction was funded with the help of a US-based wildlife organisation— Nature Conservancy.

Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta in the latest Kenya gazette has exempted KWS from paying the four per cent or Sh16 million in stamp duty on the transaction.

The deal set to spotlight land transactions by large land owners such as former president, who are racing to cash in outsized returns from rising demand of property. The former president acquired thousands of acres of land during his 24-year rule and has in the past few years come under pressure from the current administration and civil rights activists to revert some of it to the State.

Mr Moi, for instance, holds thousands of acres of land in Mau Forest which he said was given by the Narok County Council during his reign.

The coalition government has targeted Mr Moi and other owners of large tracts of land as it seeks to reclaim the Mau Forest. The new Constitution gives legal backing to cut back on excess holding of land for extended periods of time.

The proposed National Land Commission shall have powers to “repossess public land that was acquired through unlawful or unprocedural means.”

The policies expected to hit large land owners include a cap on land holding, tax on idle land and reduction of lease period for foreign land owners from 999 years to 99 years.

These policies have seen more large land owners sell part of the land holdings, a trend that is expected to gather pace in the medium term as institutions and laws addressing historical land injustices are set up.

For KWS, the setup of another national park will be a boost its earnings which had taken a hit from high operational expenses.

KWS currently has 33 national parks and reserves spread across the country. The state-owned corporation has relied heavily on government support and has raised its park entry fees this year to cope with rising staff costs and other operational expenses like park maintenance, animal stocking and migration.

In the latest increase, the fees were raised to $80 (Sh8,000) from a minimum of $60 (Sh6,000) on premium parks. In the special gazette notice, Forestry and Wildlife minister Noah Wekesa also reviewed the fees structure by eliminating low and high season fees and introducing a flat rate charge in a bid to boost revenues.

Foreign visitors used to pay $60 (Sh6,000) during the low season at the premium parks—Amboseli and Lake Nakuru —and $75 (Sh7,500) during the peak seasons, which runs from January to March and July to October.

Dr Wekesa said the review is aimed at boosting KWS coffers to allow it meet its conservation obligations, arguing that the efforts are becoming expensive, causing the state-owned firm to run a huge deficit.

The review comes less than a year after KWS increased its fees in January in what led to a 47 per cent rise in its turnover to Sh2.8 billion in the year to June 2010.

Its expenses rose to Sh4.6 billion from Sh3.7 billion on higher salaries and park maintenance fees—which left it with a deficit of Sh1.54 billion that was plugged by government (Sh860 million), donations (Sh170 million) and donor funding (Sh198 million).
vjuma@ke.nationmedia.com

Kenyan troops close in on Somali’s second key town

 

By Boniface Ongeri in Liboi and David Ochami in Nairobi

 

Kenyan troops were by Monday evening moving quickly to secure the town of Afmadow in Somalia, 100 kilometres from the border.

It comes just two days after the Kenyan armed forces captured another key town, Qoqani, following two days of heavy aerial and ground bombardment. Afmadow is the town where two Kenyan soldiers, Evan Mutoro and Jonathan Kangogo, captured by Al-Shabaab militia on July 24, were detained before being taken by their captors to the coastal town of Kismayu. The two soldiers are still unaccounted for.

“The Kenyan troops supported by tanks and other military vehicles have taken up positions near Qoqani,” Saleban Mohamed, an elder in a nearby village, told AFP news agency.

“I saw around 32 trucks and tanks, with hundreds of troops,” he added.

Military helicopter. Government says it is in Somalia for the long haul vowing to fight Al-Shabaab to the end. Photo: File/Standard

“The Kenyan soldiers are heavily armed and they have started digging trenches near Qoqani,” Abdulahi Sayid Adam, another witness said.
But there was some sad news after a military helicopter exploded seconds after take off from Liboi Airstrip in Garissa, killing five soldiers including the pilot.

Department of Defence officials blamed the crash on a technical fault. The soldiers, a major, a sergeant, two privates and a technician were killed when their China-made Dolphine helicopter crashed and caught fire, military sources told The Standard.

“It crashed while taking off and caught fire, all the five soldiers on board died. It was not brought down,” said Military Spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir.

Armoured vehicles

The soldiers were reportedly taking missiles to the war front inside Somalia when the incident occurred, the source said.

The helicopter exploded about 500 metres from Liboi Airstrip.

Kenya continued to flex its aerial prowess as it rained bombs on strategic Al-Shabaab strongholds, pushing its assault deeper toward central Somalia. At the same time, the Government announced it was ready to fight Al-Shabaab to its logical conclusion, adding that the military offensive against the terror group, dubbed “Operation Linda Nchi” (Operation Protect Kenya) would continue until the militia are subdued.

Kenyan troops combed villages in Somalia in hot pursuit of the militia with armoured vehicles, as its fighter jets overflew the enemy’s territory.

Witnesses said they saw dozens of Kenyan military vehicles pouring over the border, backed by planes and helicopters even as reports said Al-Shabaab, which denies kidnapping Kenyans and foreigners, had amassed more men to back up its militia in Afmadow where they were being pinned down by the heavy firepower of the Kenya army and air force.

Quoting witnesses, AFP reported that Al-Shabaab commanders confiscated at least 100 trucks late Sunday from the Lower Shabelle region, outside the capital Mogadishu, to transport gunmen southwards.

Internal Security minister Prof George Saitoti and Defence minister Mohammed Yusuf Haji said military operations against Al-Shabaab would be sustained until “desired effects” are achieved, blaming the group for a spate of kidnappings, sea piracy and killings of Kenyans and foreigners.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang’ula said troops went across the border on the request of Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG), which controls very little territory, but is backed by the international community.

“What we are doing is in pursuit of a request by the Government of Somalia, and also our own interest as a country to fight a group that is terror-based,” said Wetang’ula.

By “desired effects”, the ministers implied that Kenya’s military hopes to degrade Al-Shabaab’s capacity to launch cross-border attacks on land and in the Indian Ocean.

They justified that attacks on Al-Shabaab inside Somalia are legitimate self-defence acts to protect lives and the economy in accordance with the UN charter and international law.

Defence Minister Haji said that Kenyan police and military forces will pursue the Somalia extremist group in its bases in the centre and south of the war-torn country to eliminate immediate security threats near the border and protect shipping lines in the Indian Ocean from pirates who operate with support of the terror group.

Saitoti declared the operation a legitimate response of self-defence against “a chronology of provocation by Al-Shabaab.”

The two spoke after meeting Parliament’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to discuss the operation.

Saitoti enumerated a host of abductions of Kenyans and foreigners, which he blamed on Al-Shabaab and said the Government received intelligence that the extremist militia “continued to recruit Kenyans into its ranks.”

He said Al-Shabaab shelled a Kenyan security post near Liboi last month and was responsible for landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) found in Mandera in July. On September 8, Al-Shabaab claimed to hold two Kenyan officers in Kismayu, a coastal city in the Indian Ocean, after initially detaining them in Afmadow.

Haji did not name a third soldier in his account but said the two were abducted after “their vehicle broke down and they were sent to seek assistance.”

Saitoti said under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Kenyan forces will engage in security and military operations in “self-defence” and geared to “preventing aggression”.

Hideout

The minister said Kenya would step up aerial border surveillance and provide armed escorts to locals, tourists and expatriates.

Haji said that besides abducting the two soldiers, Al-Shabaab had tried to attack the port of Mombasa and ambush ships off the Kenyan coast in September.

The Defence minister said that lately, Al-Shabaab was acting in concert with pirates and had attacked vessels entering Kenyan waters.

In what appeared to be a well-calculated and aptly prepared military assault, more troops were lined up in strategic positions as aerial and ground combat forces launched missiles in the open sandy grounds of Somalia and hideouts of the terrorists. Kenya’s disciplined officers will be backing TFG forces in a bid to find a lasting solution to instability in the country that has been at war for two decades.

Maj Chirchir also confirmed that the chopper was part of a contingent of military personnel and hardware that had been deployed to pursue Al-Shabaab militia following insecurity on the Kenya-Somalia border.

The five are the first casualties Kenya has suffered in the onslaught against the militants in Somalia that heightened when they kidnapped two Spanish aid workers.

Kenya has military bases in Wajir, Liboi and Hulugho. GSU personnel are also at hand to support the army.

• Additional reporting by Cyrus Ombati

Source. http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000045042&cid=4

Looking for some lost post? We have it here

KENYA, FEAR NOT FOR GREAT IS YOUR SHEPHERD

MY BELOVED KENYA
The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you, saying, ‘Destroy him!’ Deut 33;27
KENYA YOU HAVE SHOWN MERCY
Though many of us are far away overseas, yet our motherland is very much alive in our hearts and when we hear threats against her it hurts deep and we cannot be silent
Everyone in the world knows that since our independence Kenya has not only catered for her own needs which are many but she has been a help to citizens of neighboring countries who time and again have found themselves in dire straits when there has been deadly political upheaval in their own countries and they were forced to run for their lives. We couldn’t tell those parents with hungry children to go away and find shelter in other countries We the citizens of Kenya and our leaders have never had a single disagreement on helping a neighboring country in their hour of genuine need

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy..Mathew 5;7.
Also proverbs11;27 says; A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

GOD WILL PROTECT AND DEFEND OUR NATION

Because of the prayer warriors and the gatekeepers of our faith God will protect our nation in ways that will baffle the wisest and smartest minds! never under estimate the power of God, prayer, the resilience and determination of Kenyans.

KENYA YOU HAVE CHOSEN GOD
Our national anthem begins with the words; “Eh Mungu Nguvu Yetu “(Real translation) “Oh God our strength… “
Therefore the shield of Abraham shall be your shield, now hear this; Isaiah 59;19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him

Prayer;
Father in heaven I place my beloved Kenya under the shadow of the almighty under your watchful eye oh eternal God, Lord Jesus you have crowned our nation with your beauty Holy spirit we feel you wings all around us. Cause your truth, justice and care to flood and saturate us so we can spread it to those arround us
Blessed be name of the Lord God of Abraham Amen

–
Manasseh P.Mankuleiyo
Presiding Bishop
Faith Evangelical Free Churches (Kenya)

Oh To Be ‘His Hand’ Extended

UHCK FUND RAISING -ELECT2007 124WTMK

Originally uploaded by Diasporakenyan

Muthaura, Kenyatta & Ali case: In the Courtroom programme – Confirmation of charges hearing

The confirmation of charges hearing in the case of The Prosecutor v. Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali took place on from 21 September to 5 October 2011 before Pre-Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is composed of Judge Ekaterina Trendafilova (presiding judge), Judge Hans-Peter Kaul and Judge Cuno Tarfusser.
A confirmation of charges hearing is held to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that each suspect committed each of the crimes being charged. If the charges are confirmed for a suspect, the Pre-Trial Chamber commits the person to trial before a Trial Chamber, which will conduct the subsequent phase of the proceedings: the trial.
Mr Muthuaura and Mr Kenyatta are allegedly criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators for the crimes against humanity of: murder; forcible transfer of population; rape; persecution and other inhuman acts. Mr Ali has allegedly otherwise contributed to the commission of the above-mentioned crimes against humanity alleged to have been committed in Kenya in the context of the 2007-2008 post-election violence.
This video was produced in 2011 by the Public Information and Documentation Section of the ICC, for non-profit and educational purposes. The ICC encourages its use, reproduction and distribution for the same purposes. Sale or commercial use is strictly prohibited.

More information: http://www.icc-cpi.int

Steve Jobs: Death is a life changing Agent

Death is a life changing Agent

You cannot connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect the dots looking background because only then, you will be able to see and trust your heart that the lines it will lead you to some destination even when your head says something else.

Sometimes life gonna heat you with a brick on the head, don’t loose faith.

Keep looking don’t settle.

If you live your day as if it was your last, someday you’re certainly be right one day.

Remembering that all will be dead soon is the most important tool i ever encounter to help me make some decision in life.

It is the best way I know to help one thinning that you’ve something to loose.

Death is a destination we’ll share, no one has ever escaped it. It’s the single best invention for life. It clears the old to give space for the new. Right now, the new is you but you’ soon grow old and you’ll be cleared for the new.

Even so,

No one wants to die, even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there.

Life is

Your life is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t live with dogma which is living with other people’s thinking.

Don’t let the noise of other people’s opinion drawn down your inner most voice.

And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know, what you truly want to become.

Everything else is secondary.

As the Whole Earth catalogue created by Stuart Brand inspired me, I too wish you to stay hungry and Stay foolish as I sign off.

Steve Jobs

1955-2011.

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs.

Saidimu Ole Ngais.