Fri, 1 Feb 2008 1:50 AM (EST)



Dear Wangari,

It is fairly obvious that you are not a regular visitor to this site. Jaluo Press has received similar and even worse criticism from equally apparently uninformed sources. Some of these would-be critics go so far as to claim that jaluo.com has incited ethnic violence. This is very much in line with the allegation that Raila Odinga has incited ethnic violence. It seems that no matter how much one condemns ethnic violence, those who are prejudiced or who stand to gain from such accusations will never be convinced that you do not support ethnic violence. These "critics" also tend to lack a key element of constructive criticism--that is, information or, rather, evidence.

The aim, therefore, is to silence the real critics--those who are determined to speak the truth.

We would also like to note that some of our world's greatest citizens were at one time accused of "incitement." Socrates paid dearly for his "incitement" of the youth. Martin Luther King Jr. paid for "inciting" African Americans. Nelson Mandela spent a good part of his life behind bars for "inciting" the "natives." Incitement, like "communist," is a word that when used too often in the improper context loses its meaning. Many so-called "inciters" are in fact only truth-tellers. As a source of alternative news, Jaluo Press' first allegience is to the truth. We are, therefore, proud to belong to the ranks of truth-tellers labeled "inciters." The truth, it so happens, does not bend to the will of anyone.

The fact of the matter is that Jaluo Press has always promoted nonviolent action and condemned violence.


On January 4, 2008 we wrote:

"ALL PARTIES SHOULD CEASE VIOLENCE. Those who continue to use violence, be they civilians or military and government personnel, and be they citizens of Kenya or foreign elements, risk prosecution for war crimes."

See "Jaluo.com Expresses Support for Raila Odinga in His Negotiations with Kibaki"  http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/Jaluo_com010308.html


On January 11, 2008 we wrote :

"In plain terms, we are at a turning point.

"It is up to every Kenyan to decide which side of history he wants to stand on. We ask you now: Do you want to be viewed through the lens of the oppressor--that is through the western stereotype of Africans as savage and inept beings--or do you want to be viewed on par with those who transcended stereotypes and achieved, or at least tried to achieve, great humanitarian feats--that is, Martin Luther King Jr., Fannie Lou Hamer, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Frederick Douglass, and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to name a few? Will you be a henchman in this mini-apocalypse or will you be a harbinger of what is both moral and just?

"REMEMBER: If you choose the path of righteousness, many will stand behind and with you. If you choose the path of destruction, many will fall with you.

"Now, let us assume that you choose the first option. How then do we move forward?

"We begin by looking at other successful movements for democracy. When we do this, we see that most of the great movements of our time--those that brought about enduring positive change--were accomplished through nonviolent protest."

See "Kenyans Must Employ Nonviolent Protest in Demanding a New Election"


If you have a complaint to leverage against either jaluo.com or one of our contributors, please be more specific and provide a specific link to support your claim. (Please note that we do not open attachments.) We appreciate criticism where it is warranted and we invite our contributors to engage in constructive dialogue.

We also, as you may be able to glean from perusing the diversity of thought contained at this site, believe strongly in democracy and in one of its basic tenets--that is, freedom of speech. Please note that jaluo.com is not responsible for the views expressed by its contributors. So long as the contributors' submission meets the standards of our publishing policy, we even post those with which we do not agree.

Frankly, we think that your claim that Luos have not condemnded ethnic violence against Kikuyus is a case of stereotyping. Please take the time to actually review the submissions posted at this site. You will see that we have posted articles even when these articles did not favor Luos (Human Rights Watch, etc).

That said, the obvious counter to your claim is: where are the Kikuyus who are demanding justice? They seem to be few and far between. Is this because of the death threats issued against the few progressive Kikuyus who have dared to speak out about the election irregularities and against Mungiki? 


In our observation, most Kikuyus, even  those abroad, talk of peace without addressing the other side of the coin. We think that it is obvious that we cannot solve the current crisis without addressing both sides of the issue. This is why we are for both peace and justice.

Regards,
Jaluo Press

P.S. We would like to add, finally, that Luos at this site have spoken up for the human rights of Kikuyus and of all Kenyans even before this election. We recall articles that condemned Mungiki's attacks on Kikuyus in the slums and that also condemned the government's response--a "crackdown" on these same residents, many of whom were killed without trial.  

We, and I suspect most Kenyans of all ethnicities, stand in solidarity with those-- including the nine Kikuyus mentioned above--who have been threatened at any time for speaking out for both justice and peace. 

Here are some more contributions that do not fit your stereotype of this site or of Luos...

http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/Patric011008.html

http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/
MAINA_WA_NJOROGE011108.html

http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/samokello010308.html

http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/Ryan_Mbagaya010108.html

http://www.jaluo.com/wangwach/200801/Annah_Sidigu010108.html