Koffi Annan Mediation-Make or Break!

Today is the day when the Koffi Annan led mediation talks will make or break the stalemate between ODM and PNU over the disputed presidential poll!The future of this otherwise previously a peaceful haven hinges on the shoulder of the panelist which features politicians and lawyers alike e.g Mutula Kilonzo,James Orengo,Martha Karua,Moses Wetangula... etc.The panel is set to discuss the contentious Presidential election and agree on modalities to cure the current impasse with both ODM nad PNU having taken hardline stances in the media forum.

The panelist need to peer deep into their sub-consciusness and meditate on what a wrong move would mean for the stability not only of Kenya but the region.The international community has already expressed their stand"that Kenya is too important to be allowed to self destruct"as per Michael Rannenberger(U.S Ambassador to Kenya).This means that we are looking at international imposition of decision(diplomatic term "intervention" )if the Koffi Annan Mediation fails to break ground.The threat of intervention(economic,political or otherwise) should compel the mediation teams to accept a proposal that will be acceptable to the collective will of the people.As it stands you cannot rule over persons determined not to be led by you hence the decision must a priori be acceptable to the wider population.That being the concept of democracy!

UN Security Council on Kenya's Violence !

The UN Security Council deplores the ongoing violence witnessed after a deeply flawed Presidential Elections.The Current security Council President Mr Giadalla Ettalhi of Libya called on both Mr Raila Odinga and Mr Mwai Kibaki to do all in their power to stem the violence being experienced in most parts of the country and slowly edging the country towards civil war.

The fact that this matter has caught the attention of the security council(the most powerful organ of the UN )should shake the hardliners within both camps to relax their stances and adopt what is most suitable for the Country, which is a just and equitable solution to the problem.The U.N secreatry general Mr Ban Ki Moon is expected in the Country this mornng to bolster the efforts of Mr Koffi Annan in the mediation process aimed at breaking the stalemate and addresing the issues that gave rise to the violence!Mr Ban Ki Moon has called upon the leaders to"Look beyond individual interest,look beyond the party lines.Look towards the future,the brighter future of your country"

The Kenyan situation is quite critical for African stability and the African Union is poised to discuss the issue.According to UNICEF there are close to 80,000 to 100,000 children leaving in the internally displaced persons camps which goes to signify the extent of the catastrophe that Kenya is currently in.Indeed we hope that common sense,the desire for posterity should move the two leaders to arrive to a just settlement.

Positive Things Happening in Kenya!

A lot of sad things happening in Kenya have been featured in this blog since December, 27th 2007.In a turn of events seeing that Kenya has featured negtively in the international media(i.e.CNN,SKY News,Al Jazeera,BBC, NBC,Deutsche Welle,China Central Television...etc), i hereby wish to highlight alot of Positive developments:

1. Both Honourable Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki have submitted themselves to the mediation dialogue under the oversight of Koffi Annan former U.N secretary General.
2. Both wanted the Peresidency not for dictatorship purposes but to enhance Kenya's development and this can only be sustained in a peaceful environment.
3. There are millions of Kenyans from Kikuyu,Kalnjin,Luo,Lughya,Maasai and other backgrounds who do not seek war but peaceful co-existence and have gone to great lengths to protect and preserve not only the lives of their neighbors from different ethnic groups but also their property as is the case of one village in Kisumu where luos hve been protecting Kikuyu's and in Mathare where a Kikuyu landlord has been protecting luo ,lughya,coasterian and other communities from murderous gangs.
4. Honourable members of parliament including:Cyrus Jirongo,Sally Kosgey,Joseph Nkaiserry,George Thuo,Uhuru Kenyatta,Franklin Bett, George Khaniri,Peter Kenneth ...etc have basically gone back to their communities,going door to door urging their constituents to embrace Peace.
5. Nairobi City Centre is peaceful and many people are working normally as they used to before the polls.

Please lemme know of other positive things to highlight here!

Nurturing Violence !

Some of the scenes being witnessed in the media especially in relation to the Police curbing demonstrations are appalling! I verily condemn any killing, maiming, assault or deprivation of property by any person on account of race or political affiliation or any such other kind of reason, but at the same time i condemn in the strongest terms the brutality and execution of Kenyan citizens being carried out in the full glare of Kenyan and International journalist by the Kenya Police. Futhermore Kenya Police response and management of the flaring violence is archaic and ill informed!

I believe that some people, out of political interests and or convenience are supporting the Police for their actions. But that is outright stupidity! The Police are charged with the mandate to protect and serve but not to extra-judiciously kill. It is true that within this mandate they are empowered to use "reasonable force” in apprehending tort feasors but that is not a license to kill anyhowly. One cannot be said to have used reasonable force when he or she shoots dead a 10 year un- armed school boy in Kisumu, a thirteen year old school girl in Kibera! What threat did this young child pose to the security machinery? This wanton destruction of life and use of live bullets must cease!

Unknown to the Police a culture of violence and hatred for all authority is being planted in the minds of the citizenry. The more they are abusing the citizen’s fundamental rights and duties the more they are encouraging the citizenry to take up arms and or to believe in resorting to violence! A story is told of a father who used to physically abuse his child only for the child in his teenage hood to fatally injure the father!

Use of unreasonable force yields the same negative results and 911 brought that reality to the American continent that there can be no impunity! Rather than create enmity with the citizenry the police should foster friendship and partnership. It should be remembered that all who have died in these attrocities either due to the acts of ethnic cleansing or police brutality belong to families who will forever ponder on why it happened and that a dangerous and vengeful society may sprout in the future!As it stands violent management of the current crisis is only serving to foment portent hatred which like a young tree will bring forth unkind fruits on maturity!Kenyans lets make Peace not War!