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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GCAP Kenya appeals for restoration of peace and good governance for sake of Kenyan poor
Members of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) alliance across Kenya today called for an agreed, negotiated settlement so that good governance is restored. Following weeks of violence, the country needs to be put back onto a positive path for development and ending poverty in the interests of all its people. Political de-stabilisation following disputed election results on December 30 th is a distraction from the critical work that needs to be done to improve the lives of Kenyans living with out access to water, sanitation, housing, work or education.
Nairobi 2008-01-09The economy is at a standstill and violence is devastating urban slums and poor rural areas. The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) abhors the grave abuse of human rights where women are being raped, many lives lost, houses and livelihoods destroyed as well as thousands displaced.
Kenya has made remarkable strides in the achievement of Millennium Development Goals and the fight against poverty. The country has surpassed the goal 2 and 3 indicators and the poverty levels have fallen from 56% to 46% in the last five years. The events of the past week are a serious assault on the war against poverty and inequality as the economic gains go down the drain.
“We welcome the arrival of more external negotiators today. We need to see an end to this impasse and a peaceful solution so that Kenyans who have worked so hard in the run up to the elections to get a political pledge like free secondary education, can ensure the Government lives up to their promises and creates a country free of poverty and divisions.” said Charles Waituru Mwangi, National Coordinator, GCAP Kenya
For more information or to book an interview call:
Charles Waituru Mwangi, National Coordinator - GCAP Kenya , Mobile:+254-723 363241
Edgar Lumbasio: +254 721334033
Monica Amolo: +254 722729574
Kiama Kara: +254 723762824
Notes to Editors:
The Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) is the world’s largest civil society alliance of social movements, International NGOs, trade unions, community groups, women’s organizations, faith and youth groups, local associations and campaigners working together across more than 100 national coalitions/platforms. GCAP is calling for action from the world’s leaders to meet their promises to end poverty and inequality. In particular, GCAP demands solutions that address the issues of; public accountability, just governance and the fulfillment of human rights; trade justice; more and better aid; debt cancellation and gender equality and women’s rights.
BACKGROUND TO VIOLENCE IN KENYA
On the 27th December 2007, Kenyans turned out in large number to vote for their preferred candidates to form the 10th parliament and elect the President.
Election Day
Unlike previous years, Election Day was very peaceful countrywide, despite various anomalies experienced in certain polling stations. In this election there were 9 Presidential candidates and over 2,000 candidates vying for the 210 parliamentary seats. The race was tight with two main candidates dominating the presidential race - the incumbant Mwai Kibaki, Party of Unity (PNU) and Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). At the closing of the polling stations local observers, monitors and the international community congratulated Kenyans for peacefully participating in the elections and urged them to continue with the same spirit as they waited for the winner to be announced.
Counting Process
The counting process commenced at the different polling stations with reports of delays due to various logistical problems experienced during the voting time. With each passing hour the country was gripped by anxiety, waiting to know who the next president of Kenya. With anxiety came violence in some polling stations where claims of rigging from various candidates and party agents were growing.
Three days into counting the same allegations were raised at the headquarters of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) as the results from the various constituencies streamed in at a snails pace. Even the ECK chairman, publicly expressed concerns about the delayed results and promised to look into the matter as they had also received results from one constituency that had more votes than the registered voters in that area. EU observers also added their voice to the claims by various parties of a flawed election process. This eventually led to an all night meeting with the ECK commissioners and party agents to review all the results of the 210 constituencies. It later claimed that it did not have to review everyone. Subsequently, Mr. Mwai Kibaki was declared winner of the elections. The announcement of the winner was followed by a swearing-in at the State House grounds with few PNU supporters in attendance and without the usual state pageantry that attends such occasions.
Violence erupts
Amidst celebrations from PNU supporters violence erupted across the country in various towns including Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, unofficial settlements and other poor neighbourhoods in Nairobi. With increased fighting, the government deployed the police and the paramilitary unit to various slums and towns across the country. The violence has caused a huge loss of life, destruction of property and increased mistrust between different communities.
In protest at the announcement, the ODM announced that they would hold a public rally at Uhuru Park to swear in their candidate whom they were now calling the rightly elected People’s President. They asserted that they would continue their fight for democracy until the President concedes defeat and accepts that the elections were rigged. The Chief of Police responded by banning all rallies and deployed a number of heavily armed policemen to cordon off Uhuru Park, a symbolic location for Kenyan political activists.
The opposition leaders have attempted to march to the venue three times since without success but still continue to claim their intention to hold nationwide rallies and marches in the course of this week. Another confrontation on the issue was averted when the ODM Presidential candidate, Odinga called off the rally planned for today in order to give peace efforts by the President of Ghana and Chairperson of the African Union, Mr Kufour Addo, a chance for success.
Peace Process
It is reported that over 450 people are dead and more than 250,000 displaced from their homes. There have been calls from various media houses, celebrities and NGOs including GCAP partners to sign petitions addressed to Kenyan Political leaders, especially the two main protagonists to hold peace talks. Ghana’s President’s effort is the latest. Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Dr. Jendayi Frazer, US Assistant Secretary for African affairs have also been engaged. From the meetings between the leaders and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu and Dr. Jendayi Frazer, they have both pointed out that the need for both parties to admit that there were irregularities in the counting process therefore addressing the underlying issues that have brought about the current violence.
President Kufuor arrived in Kenya on Wednesday to hold talks with both parties with the hopes of starting mediation process that may help resolve the current conflict. Currently relative calm has been restored in some parts of Nairobi, with this the citizens of Kenya are defying all odds and going back to work with the hope of keeping hope alive.
ENDS/
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