PRESS RELEASE: IMMEDIATE ACTION TO RESTORE PEACE

In the wake of post-election violence, the Kenyan Community Abroad has noted with deep concern the continued violence in Kenya, including the ill-use of state machinery to shoot-to-kill. We are a Diaspora with families, friends and relatives in our motherland, and we owe each other a tenacious loyalty to protect our motherland and ensure that it does not descend to absolute destruction.

More than ever before in the history of Kenya, we are confronted with the biggest challenge to put aside the fear and rage that builds up instinctively within a people faced with self-destruction and reason together to save our country. Our strategy is to first act with speed to provide the basic necessities to the thousands who suffer displacement. The Kenyan community abroad is:

1. Mobilizing funds to assist in the provision of food, clothing, medical assistance and evacuation efforts. We urge all Kenyans in the Diaspora to make contributions through their local organizations which will ensure the direct and efficient disbursement of these funds to specific locations. Others can send their tax- deductible financial contribution to the centralized KCA Relief Fund as follows:
  a. Through paypal: to treasurer@kenyansabroad.org
  b. Through check or money order to The KCA, P.O. Box 50097,
     Washington, DC, 20091-0097
  c. Through electronic transfer to the Kenya Community Abroad
     (KCA), Account Number 15028156. Citibank Routing (ABN) Number:
     254070116. Tel. 202-857-6834

2. Starting a global petition to end the building pattern of random and sanctioned violence and restore peace to our country. Please sign this petition at www.kenyansabroad.org. It will be used to build up a people's power that will hold to account those behind the orchestrated massacres, through the law of the land and the International Court of Justice.

KCA is also gathering the help of non-partisan international organizations in raising a united voice against the senseless slaughter, through the media and peace talks abroad. Above all else, we uphold all human life as sacrosanct, and its destruction will not happen without consequence. The wounds are deep, the issues complex, and the healing must be deliberate, intensive, and lasting. We make a stand as a Diaspora to ensure that justice, truth and reconciliation are pursued. Our immediate goal is to help in relief efforts without discrimination and begin a path towards lasting peace.

KCA calls upon the Diaspora to act in unity to reclaim our country. No matter what our political views or ethnic background, it is not the time to pander to partisanship or ethnic affiliation. Nor is it time for politicians, fairly or illegitimately in office, to move into divisive calculations without consideration of addressing immediate elections grievances. Let true leaders not run to secure egos and positions, but to secure our country.

Mkawasi Mcharo Hall
President, KCA
The KCA Executive
Washington, DC

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