(Notes were taken by Shalini, I’ve taken the liberty of categorizing them).
THE BAD NEWS
* Rain means the situation in the camps has badly deteriorated. Flooding leads to disease, there is nowhere to sleep, kids having to scoop water out of tents. Standards truly appalling. Who’s responsibility is the camps? Govt is standing by, and Red Cross doing much work, but is still patchy and accusations of partisanship are being loudly voiced.
* Concerns about partisan nature of aid by Red Cross. When Jamhuri Park was full of Kikuyu IDPs, aid was distributed very quickly. Now that other groups are there, Red Cross says there isn’t enough staff to cook food. When asked to provide unga etc for IDP’s to cook, they stalled. The National Alliance of Churches is now in there helping. In Tigoni, Luos were only provided with transport for themselves and had to leave all their possessions behind. Red Cross is saying it will only work in Govt approved camps. All camps in Rift Valley are approved, but camps in Central are full of others and have yet to be recognised by the Govt as camps, so supplies not going there. [For more on claims about bias in the treatment of IDPs, click here].
* MP’s raised political temperatures and are responsible for bringing them down. However there is evidence of hidden boardroom meetings, and continuous funding of violence by some MP’s. Any involved in this must be outed and anyone involved disqualified from any peace activities
* Bishop report from Bungoma – Kalenjin in the area are not just killing, but are mutilating their victims, cutting legs, arms, private parts, then beheading Luyha and Kikuyu. They are dying in painful de-humanised way. This is being funded by a parliamentarian, who is currently in the peace talks. Police are compromised. Up to today the area was cut off from Nairobi so couldn’t report on these atrocities. Army needs to come in to rescue and secure the area. Sitting MP’s are involved in elimination in the name of land defence. There is tangible evidence to support this. Community is also being instructed to continue violence using hand signals and sign language when these MPs appear on TV. Leaflets twice been dropped threatening clergy who have protected Kikuyus. Luyhas voted for ODM and are now being burned out by those they voted for. On other side of Mount Elgon in Uganda, all communities living happily together, so it possible to do same in Kenya!
PEACE EFFORTS
* Next meeting on Weds 13 Feb is to be on the published, signed agreements that came out of the Annan led peace negotiations. They are also attached. Please study them and come to the meeting with practical ways in which these promised can become enshrined and adhered to. Citizens must lead on this to ensure they don’t become spectators as these promises are broken.
* Retired General Humphrey Njoroge had 30 displaced people on his farm in Njoro. That has risen to 300 and he doesn’t have enough water in his borehole to cope. Asked if it was possible to provide a water tanker. Mike Eldon arranged for water, which should by now have arrived with them.
* On the farm, various military, aided by a few teachers are trying to school the children. There is a lot of concern countrywide about how kids are losing out on education in this crisis
* National Youth Violence Prevention Week is on 23Feb to 1 March. There will be a conference at KICC on 24.25 Feb with concerts, drummers, creative writing. A request has gone out for flowers to lay as a sign of peace, both in Uhuru park and at KICC
* CASAM organising a Valentine Peace March from Gatundu. They are also looking for flowers. They are meeting on Sunday with UN Human Rights and are collecting and encouraging IDP’s to share stories.
* Much strong feeling about MP’s and their role. They are due to be called back for a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday with Speaker of the House. While a few preach peace, citizens continue to be forced to move. Situation on the ground in their constituencies is not being addressed. When Uhuru went to speak to people, the violence did abate, so it is possible. Some MP’s are going to Central and Western in to help. Strong message needs to go to MP’s. Need to hear from them, they must actively involve themselves in ensuring diffusion of violence. Some want to work with CCP, because CCP has more credibility and less baggage than other organisations.
* A call for MP’s to give over their salaries for a month (since they are not working) has been re-issued. These can go towards helping those in need. Currently MP’s rushing for the CDF fund. They must be held to account for all their actions, including speeches inciting violence. Will we have a 10th parliament full of killers? MP’s have to stop what they helped to start.
* Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday 12th at the Leadership Institute Centre at 5pm, next to Masaba hospital to air deeper issues that have arisen from this crisis, that people are afraid to talk about. There is so much bitterness and stories being reported to the DC’s that are far grimmer than is being reported at the CCP meetings. Need to go beyond the obvious and produce a document about all of it. Critical to stop this cycle of violence. Would like to tailor also for use in primary and secondary schools to help alleviate some of the mental damage that will result in long term detriment in Kenya.
* On 14th Feb there is a meeting at Mathare’s chief’s camp to see IDP’s to engage kids in fun day. Books, crayons, paper are needed for children and white roses to symbolise peace. Everyone leaving from One Stop near Railways next to Easy Coach, so meet there.
* Zones of peace model continues to be rolled out. PC’s involved along with religious, business, FM radio stations. In Mombasa leaflets used to good effect to restore peace and get looters to return goods. Also football screens set up for Africa Cup of Nations used to show clip from Rwanda and ask the question “do you want Kenya to go that way.†Big collaborative effort. Once PC here was told about it, it took 2 days to get everyone together, and a week to sort funding and begin helping. In slums they responded quickly as follows: role of police (e.g. – if they use violence to attain peace nothing has worked), issues between tenants and landlords, youth, employment. WFP now involved. UNDP also training 200 young people to promote peace.
* Important to realise that current calm is not peace. Real peace takes more action and MP’s, community leaders, inciters all need to be held accountable. Judiciary must be engaged. Vital that those who killed and who funded killing face the consequences of their activity.
* There was strong criticism of how pastors had prevented or criticised members of their congregation if they went to a different church or service. Likewise those clergy who only prayed for either PNU or ODM, politicising the church. Inter-religious group plan to change that. Church leaders now beginning to meet. They have been very separate and also played a role n the violence. They need to get together and apologise to each other and their congregations. Meetings of different bishops already being convened – currently Western and Central, and Rift Valley and Central.
Do you have a link to that Bungoma story and What Kalenjins are doing there?
Thanks
I don’t, it was just a report from someone who comes from the area.
Ory,
Thank you for the updates. I am so furious about the bias in the treatment of IDP’s . It is outrageous when the Red Cross collude with this. WTF do they stand for???
Red Cross bias: these people are also flesh and blood and thus may feel comfort for “our people” and resentment for the “others” . Same way ( KP reported earlier) about selective treatment at KNH: what do you expect?
As Christ said, it requires a changed heart to give water to your “enemy” and to not pay evil for evil.
Kenya FM,
The Red Cross are also flesh and blood as you say, however when you are employed by these organisations, part of the induction training involves being non judgmental towards the people that you assist. That is essential for most people who work in humanitarian agencies, and the caring professions.
I have friends who have worked with the Red Cross in Somalia, the Congo and Rwanda.
The behaviour of these people is unacceptable, and yes I expect more from them.
That issue of partisanship by the Red Cross makes my blood boil!!!!!!!!!
Sadly it seems our MPs are doing one thing in the open and a whole nother thing behind closed doors.
We need Kalenjin leaders to step up to the plate and do the right thing.
I too feel strongly that the church stood by and did as little as possible as all this went on.
I’m just curious to know the validity of some of these stories?. They come across as being very inflammatory. Is it really responsible for a citizen concerned about peace to delve in what might be unfounded ?
Ory,
I suggest you keep away from this rumours especially if they are too inflammatory like the one about Bungoma unless of course you can provide links from trusted sites. I know you try your best to be impartial and your blog is undoubtedly one of the most reliable sources but I think such sensitive reports should be validated. You know especially with so much propaganda and counter-propaganda.
Abaas, I do try and keep away from rumors but the Bungoma report was made in a credible forum, from a credible source. Trust me there’s a lot worse that I’m keeping off the blog. Who would you consider a trusted site? Local newspapers? International newspapers? NGO? I would, of course, prefer to link from that but their is a lot of self-censorship going on…victims on BOTH sides are asking for an outlet for them to express their trauma and the horrors that they have witnessed…they want their “truth” to be known, ugly as it may be to us who are at a distance. Until such time as when someone more trusted than me is willing to capture this, I will keep doing it. Those of you who read this blog and know people who have been directly affected can confirm that their a lot of unspeakable things going on…I doesn’t think it helps to sanitize it….some of these acts are being instigated by known individuals and for us to be able to hold them to account one day (including those who are being biased in terms of service / aid delivery), the truth of what is going on needs to come out. An aside: I’m at all the people commenting on the negative part of the story…but not the positive or not offering to help…that I think is a blog post in itself
BFN, let us use deductive analysis, or reasoning since your approach would require a neutral judge (or a news reporter of your choosing if not a live video) to verify those stories before you believe them.
We have to start with the assumptions we all believe, and that is, generally, the media had no reason to fablicate the following; since all of those on the ground in Kenya agree on the 8 points bellow (so we take it by faith to be true, since we can’t varify it by ourselves):
1. There were elections and also soon after the election results, violence started.
2. Violence was mainly against Kikuyus (Kibaki’s tribe) especially in those areas that heavly supported ODM, which were the Western Kenya and the Rift Valley, but other areas such as the coast were not spared. (Some were burnt in a church)
3. Police was used to stop rallies and violence and at times they shot into the public resulting into death with bullet wounds ( a poor boy plying football killed by a police stray bullet)
4. Those survivers of that violence left those areas mentioned by different means with the government’s assistance or escort into camps and some ended up in Uganda on thier own, running away from the eminent danger.
5. Once in Camps, some assistance from NGOs such as Red Cross came in to help and some of the employes are Kenyans who belong to various tribes.
6. Violence took place in Nairobi slums along tribal lines.
7. In Naivasha, there was violence against mainly Luos by Kikuyus, which started after the one in the Western Kenya and Rift Valley took place.
8. Many of the Luos have fled from Naivasha and some were burnt in the house (photos of burnt bodies shown in news papers & internet)
Therefore would the following not be reasonable to assume:
1. Many Kikuyus if not all, wanted justice for attrocities commited against their tribes-mate and or even relatives.
2. Some simply wanted revenge, an eye for an eye type of justice.
3. That some Red Cross employees could be partial and unproffesional in the light of what has happened, since it was along tribal lines.
4. That the politicians are not above milking or exploiting this sad situation for their benefits at the expense of the poor innocent Kenyans.
So if you agree with me on the above points without being there to see them by yourself, why do you have a problem beleiving the details given by those who say that they witnessed or were victims of the violence?
Remember, those telling what hell they went through are not seeking any ones approval of believing the details of pain and fear of witnessing their loved ones being cut into pieces infront of their eyes.
In Africa, when one saves your life, you don’t reverse the story for no reason. Unless one can come with a motive, why would someone make up a story about mistreatment by some Red Cross employees; some investigations should be done.
The telling is for the world to know because it is only then that something can be done to make sure that those doing such are never allowed to ever repeat it, also as a cry out to let the pain out, to reach out and hopefully hoping someone can understand
Ory,
I started reading your blog after the election results were announced. My experience of you is that you are a prolific, well respected Kenyan blogger, who writes responsibly.
I believe in freedom of speech.
Something that I am picking up from this blog post, is that when you raise issues that do not fit within the worldview of some of your readers, you are asked to verify your sources, or some of the content of your post is labelled as inflammatory or rumour.
My experience of you is that this is not the first time that you have raised these issues, and yet if you raise issues that do not challenge a certain worldview, then nothing is said by some readers. Interesting.
Keep up the good work Ory, your blog is informative.
The link below is a peace initiative that you may be interested in.
http://concernedkenyan.blogspot.com/2008/02/requesting-your-ideas-and-support-for.html
Yes, the handling of IDP’s has been politicized and tribalized just like everything else in Kenya today. This the Kibaki legacy for the republic.
Here is a story from an NGO worker in Western Kenya.
http://jukwaa.proboards58.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202908682
Sam, while you are entitled to your own opinion, I strongly beg to differ. Your “deductive analysis” I believe is based on sensationalism rather than reason. So I will tell you about my own theory of “contrary thinking” based on the fact that I’m optimistic and that I’m sick and tired of the concocted bs journalists are feeding people. Yes, there are people who are just as predictable as your analysis states and will abide by the motto of an eye for an eye. But I firmly believe that there are those who reason to the contrary and will not seek revenge because they are the better person. Why is it no one is picking on that aggressively as they are on the bad.
Ory does a very commendable job on this blog but my point is, don’t you think it does more harm that good to publish something that is unfounded. Why apply a hypothesis as if it’s a market trend you’re analyzing and then generate fallacious news that only end up flaming an already volatile situation.
Ory,
Thanks, as ever.
Now that things are calmer, it’s surely OK to air these stories.
Ory
Keep up the good work and ignore what the cynics are saying. I agree with tamtam. Some people here think that the politicians they support are saints, yet it is blatantly clear that both sides have had a hand in the crisis. Unless we expose these hideous acts the perpetrators will continue to think that they are invincible. BFN and co may be well intentioned when writing, but their suggestions would only sweep things under the carpet and would only serve to postpone the crisis. If they are worried about bias they should visit other blogs to realise that this is one of the most balanced blogs. For this we support you Ory.
On the flip side, I think this is good for you Ory, because it’s a constant reminder of the responsibility you have as you write. Sort of providing checks and balances. We appreciate your work.
I’m tempted to delve into the leadership (or rather lack there of ) demonstrated by one Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga but then I digress. That I guess is a rant for another day. However wouldn’t it be great if we could identify someone who has demonstrated leadership (an antithesis to the aforementioned two) and sort of galvanise support for him/her? MoveOn.org has that clout, why not us?
PS I don’t support Moveon.org and their agenda but the mere fact that they are a force to reckon with, years after Clinton left office is a testament to what can be achieved through that sort of organisation. Over to you Ory (smiles mischeviously:lol:)
Ory & tamtam:
These are pretty serious charges, but Ory is a lawyer and probably has a better grasp of the legal impact/effect a statement like this has: “…This is being funded by a parliamentarian, who is currently in the peace talks…” Or this: “… Sitting MP’s are involved in elimination in the name of land defence… Community is also being instructed to continue violence using hand signals and sign language when these MPs appear on TV…”
Considering that we have only one MP from the North Rift area in question in the negotiations, don’t you think whoever is making these charges is placing a BIG red TARGET on the back of that parliamentarian? I would like to believe that even the international criminal court of justice would be interested in the “tangible evidence” that this MP is financing the killings, else you could be doing the person a great injustice by simply repeating allegations from an assumed “credible” source simply because s/he has the title of “bishop.”
I assume that such tangible evidence includes a paper trail of money, witnesses, etc., and that the hand signals have been documented to be used as evidence in any future trial. Despite its title and oft-quoted conclusion, even the report by human rights watch that charged that the clashes were organized does not directly link senior opposition leaders with the violence, only the the local politicians and leaders.
As a keen observer of what’s going on in our country, I wouldn’t put it past even a bishop to try to score an offside goal for whichever side he or she supports (yesterday the clergy themselves owned up to being partisan and for letting Kenyans down ). But I would still expect both readers and bloggers of this column to be cautious about what they report at truth, especially if it involves matters of life and death. That said, CAUTIONING THAT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE PARTISANSHIP OR SUPPORT FOR WHAT’S GOING ON!!
I don’t want to label anyone evil or a saint, but in Kenya the perception sometimes belies the truth, as many here will attest to. Tough talk is sometimes mistaken for cruelty while soft talk is often mistaken for wimpishness. I can almost bet that the fellow accused of financing the clashes will seek legal redress for such damaging accusations and the onus will be on those making them to prove the allegations.
Just my 2 helas worth.
If there’s anything we can learn from this conversation, it’s that we all have natural biases, and will gravitate to news that confirms these biases and treat more critically news that confronts them. If we can learn to accept that, perhaps we can enter conversations with a little more humility and desire to learn what the other half thinks!
Greatly appreciate the updates. The only one I’m in a position to comment on is the bias at Jamu Park. As one of the pastors involved right from the beginning in serving the displaced there, from what I saw, the government was never involved in any significant way at the park, almost all the work was done by religious & civic groups. When the site transformed into Nairobi’s hottest photo-op, many of the religious groups (including my church) pulled out and focussed attention elsewhere. There might be a need to rethink that decision now that people are no longer rushing there. Note – I’m not absolving government or Red Cross, simply saying its easy to jump to conclusions with incomplete information.
As middle-class, educated Kenyans, if we cannot agree to disagree, but still work together to build our nation, then Kenya has no hope. Like a husband and wife disagreeing, if you win, we both lose. The real enemy lies not within but without.
I have a dream that one day, my children will play and work with children of all tribes, and that Kenya will be the capital of the United States of Africa. To hate you because of your tribe is to sabotage my dream!
Pst. M (greatnessnow.blogspot.com)
Actually, I think Ory is doing a great blog. There was a time there when she was quite the ODM youth winger (she did not even want us to move on), but now she does come across as a true Kenyan one looking for peace and a way forward.
About the IDPs and the Red Cross. It may very well be hearsay, it could be a perception created by an isolated incident. I do not see how a volunteer, putting their lives on the line, sacrificing their time for a thankless job would be visibly biased against the people they are serving. With regard to the speed of distribution or number of staff available, perhaps the number of volunteers has dried up, maybe they are spread thin? w.r.t the transport out of Tigoni, is it the Red Cross or private help that is getting the victims out? Would the Red Cross really be able to afford transport enough to take all that property across the country?
Could just be part of the endless grievance culture in parts of our people. The world inanionea, etc. Let’s be careful lest we are seen as ungrateful or unappreciative of the effort made by these selfless Kenyans.
Bush just announced that Condoleezza Rice is going to Kenya.
whats your take on this?
you think they strike a deal or they hit a snag on the talks?
As for Georgeg Bush and the “Peace Talks”. This is what we have at Jukwaa.
http://jukwaa.proboards58.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1202999645
When i said the violence was insigated and premeditated, i was called a number of names from text messages to abusive emails. Post election violence never goes on for more than 3 days or rather shouldn’t.
I am sad that the violence is continuing not sad, heart broken, and worse off to hear the Red Cross the most impartial body should discriminate on basis of tribe. a human in suffering is a human in suffering despite where they come from. It is disheartening that a few people are going to gain at the expense of thousands of Kenya who have suffered.
You know whats sad, the fact that Kenyans seemed to have forgotten already.
@Amir, are you are PNU youthwinger?? see how easy that was? and the site you are from with t heir obvious slant even in Editing comments. You have the nerve to call anyone out on their “imagined” slant.
ati now she does come across as true Kenyan? Patronize much?
I have read the comments with much interest.
I am the person who makes these notes at the thrice weekly CCP meetings. The meetings are open to anyone to attend and consist of updates and measures to try to alleviate the situation as it stands.
Ambassador Kiplagat, one of the convenors and founders of CCP, often says in the meetings we must put all on the table – be honest, be upfoont, tell us what is happening in your area. He (and the other experience peace mediators who founded CCP) believe healing cannot take place without honesty.
My role in the meeting is to report the updates. I take notes and then disseminate them. I can assure you it is not at ALL in ANY way CCP’
s desire to be inflammatory. Quite the opposite. Their posistion is one of dialogue for peace (again using the experience the convenors have gained in Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone etc etc).
However, sometimes the reports are distressing. Sometimes there are tears in the meetings. This particular meeting was actually full of clergy, and full of anger.People are furious about what is happening. As regards Northern Rift and funding of violence – yes there was tangible evidence that had been compiled.
As regards the Red Cross – there will be interventions. The EU have also made this observation. Part of it is govt bias – eg not registering camps in Central (full on non-Kikiuyus), therefore not qualifying them for aid. All reports are from CCP witnesses on the ground. What tends to happen is there is an attempt to take up issues brought to the forum and resolve.Remember CCP is staffed only with volunteers – doing amazing things in my opinion. So with KNH, a group of women went to the hospital to discuss the partisan treatment. Measures have been put in place (including instant dismissal) that have improved the situation a lot.
We can’t hide what is happening in Kenya. And by bringing it out, we can do something about it. The situation is so very ugly in its detail – more than most people often want to acknowledge. But exposure and discussion is the key to reconciliation. Andthat is a lot of what CCP aims to do. Hope that clarifies a bit.
Hi Ory,
Unfortunately your email ad seemed to have an errorand thus I had to post this out of context here.
Where focus is currently on immidiate solutions to peace and security in Kenya, another disaster will unfold unless w e act now. Below is info on a new innovative idea that will result in at least helping to avert the looming famine if it can get off the ground before the March rains start. We would really appreciate it if you can get the word out to as many concerned Kenyans as possible. If you are interested, we will keep you posted on the project as it unfolds.
PREP-AID is a newly formed not-for-profit organization focusing on
disaster preparedness and emergency response. We strive for innovative,
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emergency response, maximizing the use of resources on projects with the
greatest impact. The Famine Relief Seed Distribution Project reflects
PREP-AID’s desire to provide an immediate response to a current crisis,
while also providing a cost-effective and self-sustaining solution that
will create opportunities for the project beneficiaries beyond the
project’s expiry.
Statement of Need: Following the disputed presidential elections in
December 2007, Kenya has experienced unprecedented violent clashes among
supporters of opposing political camps, which has resulted in large
numbers of persons being displaced from their homes and farms in various
parts of the country. Large-scale displacement of people from some of
Kenya’s most productive agricultural land, particularly in the Rift Valley
and Western provinces, has adversely affected Kenya’s agricultural sector,
with potentially long-term implications. Recent reports have warned of
looming famine and food shortages if the current situation is not
normalized soon.
The Famine Relief Seed Distribution Project will target the estimated
250,000 – 300,000 displaced persons around the country, who are currently
housed in camps managed by the Kenya Red Cross Society. Plans are
currently underway to resettle displaced persons and provide food
assistance. The bulk of this food assistance will consist of grains and
non-perishable food items, which can be transported and stored over longer
periods of time. PREP-AID’s Famine Relief Seed Distribution Project will
complement existing food assistance efforts by focusing on perishable food
items (specifically fresh vegetables), and will provide additional
benefits by taking advantage of the planting season, encouraging farmers
to begin producing food, and providing nutritious supplements over the
coming months. With the onset of the long rainy season in March, urgent
action is needed to ensure that resettled farmers will have access to seed
to begin planting as soon as possible.
Methodology: The Famine Relief Seed Distribution Project will distribute
100,000 individual sachets consisting of a mixed variety of fast-growing,
short-maturing, hardy vegetable seeds designed to produce fresh food that
will be sufficient to sustain an average-sized Kenyan family (6-8 persons)
from within 6 weeks after sowing. The seed packs will be distributed to
families free of charge by the Kenya Red Cross Society.
Other funding sources: PREP-AID is currently sourcing funding and other
contributions from donor agencies, international organizations and
corporate sponsors. To date PREP-AID has had initial discussions with
representatives of the Kenya Red Cross Society (logistical support)
Summary: Urgent action is needed to address the current crises resulting
from displacement of large numbers of people from agricultural land, and
to mitigate the threat of famine and food shortages over the coming
months. The Famine Relief Seed Distribution Project represents a
proactive approach that seeks to address the problem before it happens,
and while there is still time to act. PREP-AID is ready and willing to
roll-out the seed distribution project as soon as funding is available to
purchase and prepare seed packs. PREP-AID has already identified
suppliers and partners to assist with the distribution of the seed packs.
What you can do? Reach out to Kenyans abroad via your blogsite and links,
letting folk know they can be part of this exciting initiative by either
1. Donating cash 2. Contributing by way of out- of- the- box ideas! 3. Writing to the Prep- Aid team to
keep them encouraged.
Regards
Su K Stephanou
Co-ordinator Prep-Aid
Hi again Ory,
Whilst recognising the controversies surrounding the Red Cross we also recognise that they have the admin and logistics to enable quick distribution of seeds. We are however also looking for other means of distribution to folk who may be IDP’s in areas other than Red Cross camps and would appreciate advise and contacts of others with reliable and efficient distribution networks that we could use . What we would like in return is for the organisation to do the admin required that will show proof of the distribution. Once a pilot of this project is successful, we hope to scale this project for maximum impact.
Regards
Su
info@Prep-Aid.org
Mr Knasus,
Thanks for what I may call a “well intentioned program”.
When you talk of March, we are talking of ten days away at most. You seggest help with three things namely: Cash, Ideas and encouragement.
I have some questions answered before I can contribute financially.
1. Can I use my credit card to contribute?
2. Who are you?
3. Are you affiliated with Red Cross, or you are hoping you will be, within 10 days?
4. Who is this Registrant by the name Job with Ballard Designs bussiness that registered the “Prep-aid.org” domain name just last week, and uses his contact @gmail.com?
5.Don’t you think contributing through the Red Cross web-site and ear-marking the contributions for the purpose you are proposing, while your organisation consetrates on other areas, may be a good idea, since the Red Cross already has a well established secure internet infrastructure designed to handle sensitive personal data? Again, we are talking of the urgency and critical need within a few days as you clearly elaboreted!
Thanks.
There are times when silence speaks louder than words.
Dear sam dc,
Thanks for your response to our initiative and for your very thoughtful questions. Sorry also for the delay in responding to your questions. The project is still on and we hope to have new updates soon. For the moment, I’m posting the responses to some of your questions below. Hope this will give you some reassurance and look forward to your support as we continue to work on getting the program out to those who need it most.
Best regards from the Prep-Aid Team
1. Can I use my credit card to contribute?
As we are not a registered NGO we are seeking partnership with an already existing NGO to act as a banking partner for this project. We have sent out requests to a number of reputable organizations in Kenya and abroad, and have so far received positive feedback. We will let you know as soon as this comes through.
We are currently also working on methods of payment via mobile telephony, and hope this will come through within the next few days as well.
2. Who are you?
We are a group of concerned Kenyans:
Su Kahumbu Stephanou-Prep-Aid Co-ordinator
Managing Director of Green Dreams Ltd, an organic business producing and marketing organic produce in Kenya via The Organic Shop, Gigiri and Organic Shop Nakumatt Westgate; founder of The Tsunami Relief Fund 2004, which raised over Ksh 700,000 for victims of the Tsunami; organiser of Band Aid 2005, which raised funds for the Tsunami Relief Fund; song writer for Light-A-Candle, which was donated and recorded using 60 Kenyan artists’ proceeds towards Famine Relief Kenya 2006; Kenyan partner, East African Food Network, an organisation helping East African small-scale farmers achieve their export market potential; company website at http://www.organic.co.ke.
Shan Bartley- PR
Partner in the Tsunami Relief Fund 2004, which raised over Ksh 700,000 for victims of the Tsunami; organiser of Band Aid 2005, which raised funds for the Tsunami Relief Fund; Malaika Project; Jaza Lorry; radio personality and writer.
Job Ballard- IT
Graphic artist with East Africa Wildlife Society; volunteer IT professional for Prep-Aid; websites at http://www.smartkenyan.com, http://www.jobballard.net; art work for Tsunami Relief Fund, Band Aid and Light-A-Candle.
Wakio Seaforth – Proposals, M&E, Research
Lawyer and independent consultant based in Nairobi.
Dominic Wanjihia –Logistics Co-ordinator
Freelance logistics consultant, mainly involved in community based projects in rural environments.
3. Are you affiliated with Red Cross, or you are hoping you will
be, within 10 days?
Our discussions with Mr Abbas Gullet, Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society at their Nairobi headquarters on Feb 8th 2008, resulted in a joint agreement that the Red Cross will distribute the seed for free to the IDPs in their camps, and may also help with volunteers to assist with packing of seeds.
4. Who is this Registrant by the name Job with Ballard Designs business that registered the “Prep-aid.org†domain name just last week, and uses his contact @gmail.com?
Ref: Job Ballard – IT (above). Job assisted us to register our email domain and is currently working on the Prep-Aid website.
5.Don’t you think contributing through the Red Cross web-site and ear-marking the contributions for the purpose you are proposing, while your organisation concentrates on other areas, may be a good idea, since the Red Cross already has a well established secure internet infrastructure designed to handle sensitive personal data? Again, we are talking of the urgency and critical need within a few days as you clearly elaborated!
Yes, you are absolutely right and this is what we hope to do, discussions on the financial logistics are underway.
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Thanks,
Joe
I always love reading your posts, i just used this website SwapmySeeds.com, as a way of giving away my unused seeds. Anyone know what I can sell them for? I have maybe 100 chrysanthemum seeds left.
Thanks for the good writeup. It actually used to be a enjoyment account it. Look complex to more delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep up a correspondence?
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