BUNGE LA MWANANCHI'S PRESS STATEMENT ON ELECTION VIOLENCE! George Nyongesa

Dear All,

Bunge members thank all who made it to participate in the press conference and we are also grateful for all those who sent their apologies.

Please find below a copy of the statement that was read to the press.

Sincerely,

George Nyongesa - +254 720 451 235

BUNGE LA MWANANCHI

BUNGE LA MWANANCHI PRESS STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ELECTION RELATED VIOLENCE

DATE: 24^TH SEPTEMBER, 2007

VENUE: JEEVANJEE, GARDENS

TIME: 11 AM

Honourable Citizens of Kenya,

The local news has recently been filled with myriad images and reports painting a graphic picture of escalating violence in what appears to have alarmingly become characteristic of election years in Kenya. In this regard, and deeply concerned by the senseless violence that appears to be spiralling out of control, Bunge La Mwananchi has determined to make the voice of Ordinary Kenyans heard in vehement condemnation of this present day barbarism.

Bunge La Mwananchi (BLM) a membership of Ordinary Kenyans who meet daily at Jeevanjee Gardens to discuss everyday issues affecting their lives and consolidate their ideas to fast track their own development and inform policies set by our country’s leaders. Bunge La Mwananchi whose mission is “ordinary Kenyans setting the agenda for our leaders” is an informative and interactive non-partisan forum that is geared to increasing socio-economic and political consciousness amongst Kenyans.

Every five years it is the Ordinary Kenyans that face the ballot box to appoint representatives to the August House to spearhead their development efforts. Sadly, it has become the trend that every five years these same Ordinary Kenyans are sacrificed at the cross of power hungry politicians who resort to violence as means to acquire or retain power.

Media reports have recently been replete with announcements of the heckling and physical violence that has been mercilessly meted upon political aspirants on the campaign trail across the country.

We the Ordinary Kenyans have noted with concern as follows:

· THAT in a country of 42 plus tribes it is repeatedly our elected leaders that instigate polarisation amongst Kenyans by playing upon tribal differences in structuring their political alignments and in voicing their political assertions. Politicians continuously use their economic power to fan tribalism and clanism amongst citizens. It has sadly been the case that Kenyans have repeatedly witnessed the very persons they look to for leadership; publicly make inflammatory remarks laced with tribal undertones that have resulted in conflict between their largely tribal followings.

· THAT Kenyans have also been witness to and victims of organised crime in the form of gangs marshalled by political leaders to assert political “mighty”; gangs that have been sadly comprised of Kenyan youth.

· THAT as a result of the polarisation created by our leaders’ tribal and ever shifting political stances, Kenyans are developing a narrow mindedness that denies them the benefit of healthy democratic debate on every day development issues affecting them.

· THAT while the President was signing the Peace Charter at Kenyatta International Conference Centre ( KICC), Nairobi, to mark the International Peace Day, a member of his government, a senior Cabinet Minister no less, was issuing inciting statements that fanned and blatantly lauded violence against his perceived political rivals.

· THAT politicians and the media play a role in the escalating levels of election related violence in the country with the media reporting partially and playing up or playing down some political aspirants as compared to others.

· THAT Kenyans have further been witness to a selective condemnation of these retrogressive acts both amongst their leaders and amongst themselves.

· THAT in the latest incident of political related violence, the presence of a uniformed gang that mounted a guard of honour for a senior government Minister wielding bows, arrows and clubs, which they later employed upon the Minister’s political rivals, is indicative of a remarkable level of organisation gang crimes.

· THAT despite the apparent intent to at most inflict grievous bodily harm and at least terrorise voters, Police and Provincial Administration present at the scene did nothing to avert the unfolding events or indeed make any arrests thereafter.

· THAT although the aforesaid Senior Minister made rather vitriolic and incriminating remarks and that on public media, there has only been a cosmetic indication of the Minister for National Security taking action towards rectifying the despicable turn of events.

Further, we the Ordinary Kenyans wish to state as follows:

THAT in any election related violence; it is the poor Ordinary Kenyans, their wives, husbands and children that are the victims. It is very rarely the leaders or the rich and their families.

THAT whenever there is violence in any area of the country there is felt a ripple effect in neighbouring areas as was the case after the recent violence in Kisii town where riots in Rift Valley province affected transport and access to Nyanza and Western provinces and even transport to Nairobi.

THAT Kenyan leaders as well as Kenyans themselves must take responsibility for the present state of events and must rise against being manipulated into election related or indeed any form of violence.

In light of the foregoing, we the Ordinary Kenyans wish to urge and state as follows:

· THAT our leaders must desist from divisive politics and instead show their respect for Kenya ’s diversity by contributing to Kenyan cohesion both in speech and action.

· THAT the media must shun impartiality and paint a balanced portrait of the political goings-on in order to facilitate Kenyans making an informed choice at the ballot box.

· THAT we appeal to our fellow citizens, especially the youth, not to be used by power hungry politicians out to further selfish political ambitions. Let the youth redeem themselves by presenting themselves to the Kenyan public as responsible actors and not mercenaries for hire in politics and the political process.

· THAT Kenyans believe and assert that political maturity calls for open mindedness. We believe that a difference of opinion is essential for any healthy democracy and should foster the growth of political awareness to benefit Kenyan citizens rather than nurture intolerance along ethnic divisions.

· THAT Kenyans further believe that Government and Opposition politics can co-exist. Opposition politics should not be demonised and our leaders should not act as though being the Government in power is the only way in which they can serve out their electorate appointed mandate.

· THAT Kenyans must remain impartial in condemning all forms of violence and socio-economic and political misconduct.

· THAT all patriotic Kenyans vigorously resist dichotomy thinking based on ethnic and status categorisation and instead work together in developing a healthy issue -oriented democratic environment that benefits all Kenyans.

· THAT if it is indeed the case that the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) is unable to exercise any form of control or penalise political parties and aspirants for election violence, then prior to adjournment, Parliament should urgently pass the relevant law necessary to adequately and appropriately so empower the ECK.

In conclusion, we the ordinary Kenyans call upon the President Mwai Kibaki by virtue of his constitutional and leadership mandate to take impartial necessary action to reign in rogue members of parliament and his ministers and work with Kenyans in stamping out electoral violence and general insecurity in Kenya.

Bunge la Mwananchi is patriotic forum of Ordinary Kenyans that believe every Kenyan has freedom of movement, expression and assembly and therefore, strongly urge fellow Citizens, Government, and Media, Political parties, Civil Society and our leaders to uphold these ideals of life. We also urge you to vote wisely! Thank you!

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