BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY:REAL CHANGE MUST COME.
Early in the morning at 6 am of19th Feb. 2009, Patrick Kamotho and I leave the central police cells. There seems to be no ready police van to take us to the Nairobi high court. We are scheduled to appear before the judge on duty Gilbert Mutembei in court one. at the central police doorway. The cop who is supposed to take us escorts us into a waiting matatu psv whose passengers had been arrested for failing to buckle their seat belts. So Kamotho and I enter the vehicle with its diver and conductor. They drop us at the main entrance of the Nairobi law courts. This cop seems to be kind of civilized. He hands us over to some two policemen who seem to have a lot of ‘advice’ for us…but we don’t let them we advice them instead..Tell them on how they have a responsibility to help make our country better. but they seem to be so self righteous convincing us that we should just give up about the war on corruption because we cant win. That we are only but wasting our time and unnecessarily endangering our lives. Even insinuating that it will be hard for us to get any government jobs. We challenge them but later they decide to push us into the basement police cells of the high court. There we again meet people of different characters with varying case. But we still push our anti-corruption crusade and for them they wholeheartedly get sense in what we say. at about 8.50am..we are lead to the dock awaiting the judge…who then enters and starts with our case,Philo Ikonya’s name is called and she joins us in the dock, my name is called, Patrick kamotho’s and our charges are read.mbugua mureithi pleads for a bond of 10000 per person which the judge consents our lawyer Mr.Ongoya had sent a representative but at least mbugua mureithi intervened to ask for a lesser bail and request for p3 forms because all police stations had denied as opportunity to report the police bully who had assaulted us after arrest. as we are about to be returned to the basement cells,Philo breaks down…..its because of the compassion she has been having about the hunger victims and also the inhuman way the policeman had treated us…she later tells me. She is in a sack scarf with newspaper cuttings of Nang’ole an old woman from Turkana who had three weeks before informed a media house that she hadn’t eaten in days.Philo has always been wondering whether that lady is still alive.Nang’ole is the woman whose photo is juxtaposed with Ruto’s on one of the posters Dr.Khalwale had used to persuade the conscience of the members of parliament during Ruto’s censure the previous day. my joints are in pain following Mugwai’s assault. Philo is feeling a lot of pain too as we are lead together with Kamotho out of the dock back to the basement cells as we wait for the processing of the bond for the three of us. we stay there up to very late. At some point we are separated with Philo as she is led to the female cells.Kamotho and I join other men in men’s cells. Some awaiting bonds to be processed while others wait to be taken to remand. I try to keep on calling different people and also sending Philo short messages asking when we are going to be released. at some point Kelly Musyoka informs me that they were moving together with Gacheke and others to make sure that the bail is done faster. Then after a few minutes I get information that our bails had a hitch and the process had to be restarted….its moving towards 1pm.i have not eaten since. Ken Orengo wants to bring us food but cops won’t allow. At about 3.30the process is finished. many of other civil society leaders have already left….but I can see Sophie Dowler,Wangui Mbatia,Kelly musyoka,mulielie,gacheke,Odipo and ladies who work at NCEC,we move out…I need to see I doctor…too much pain following the beatings. So does Philo.
Kamotho, Philo, Gacheke and I board Alex Kilele’s car as we head to the Nairobi women’s hospital.kilele drops us there. Hilo talks to Ann Njogu and other comrades to make a number of arrangements. After the doctor examining us.he recommends philo and I to be admitted and be observed while Kamotho is treated as an outpatient. Despite feeling so bad I decline admission at that time (6pm) because of some family issues (responsibilies).am given drugs after which I leave the hospital in company of my friends jimmy nyikuli, ken Orengo and martin nkari.i leave philo admitted at the hospital. At night I cant sleep.. Am feeling pain everywhere. Therefore early in the morning I get back to the hospital and get admission (20th FEB) .i get to the x-ray room where I spend like 3 hours. Thereafter I go to my hospital bed. Am attended to by nurses. I have visits from wanyama, george Nyongesa, wangui Mbatia, abel onkundi, Dennis Ndira, martin nkari, ken orengo,reverend mbogo among other comrades. Philo gets discharged in the evening to have bed rest at home spent the night of 20th at the hospital. at this point I get all the medication, good attention from the doctor and the nurses.
In the evening of 21st the doctor still recommends that I need to stay in hospital but other duties await me. So am discharged in the evening of 21st Feb 2009 against the doctor’s advice because I need to work on family matters.Aluta continua. Am given an appointment by the doctor but generally am feeling better. We must work together to change this country for the better….That which doent kill me only makes me stronger…
FWAMBA NC FWAMBA
a.k.a Crispus Fwamba
http://fwambancfwamba.wordpress.com
http://kenyayoungvotersalliance.blogspot.com
http://fwambancfwamba.blogspot.com
Sunday, February 22, 2009
POLICE STATE:IS THIS THE KENYA WE WANT?
I LATER CAME TO LEARN THAT THE BRUTE’S NAME IS RICHARD MUGWAI..ACTING OCPD CENTRAL.
18 Feb. is the day Dedan Kimathi was captured…that wasn’t in my mind as I woke up early that day of 2009. But one thing was certain that the corrupt practices of some government officials had to be rebuked at such a time when one of them was facing a censure motion in parliarment.other human rights activists and I at the freedom corner are prepared for the day. To drive the point home. .we proceeded to the parliament buildings where the Kenyans’ most corrupt fellowship. We wanted to take the message right to their doors. So it was the best venue..Philo Ikonya and I moved ahead where the visitors’ gate is towards other human rights activists. Patrick Kamotho stayed with the other group at the mps’ gate with their placards reading the message we had brought to the members of the august house who are presiding over serious corrupt practices in their ministries. ‘ `where is the maize’…one placard read…, ‘Kenyans are dying’ another one read…’unga prices are unbearable’, ‘a thief is a thief. Whether PNU or ODM’ .another one read….then Philo lashed another that summarizes all from her handbag.. .’CORRUPTION=DEATH’…that summarized everything. Our expression was symbolic and peaceful. As we moved around the parliament buildings…policemen started focusing on us. Some hired goons from Ruto’s constituency confronted Philo and started asking her whether the maize that was stolen was ours. We all flashed the newspaper images of dying Kenyans but the goons would not listen…but all other Kenyans who were passing by kept on encouraging us.
At about one oclock, one of the human rights activists who were with Patrick Kamotho comes and tells us that Kamotho had been arrested as the rest of his group scampered. He had insisted that the corrupt leaders must have an opportunity to get his message. They took him to parliament police post.
After the disruption of the majority of the protesters, we proceeded demanding the release of kamotho, and later we discovered that the police had put much focus on the two of us. So they confronted us…the guys arrested us so violently. That one senior cop whom I later came to know is called mugwai, tore Philo’s dress and dragged her on the ground..Philo couldn’t keep quiet. Neither could I. the senior cop moved to Philo and whispered to her that he knew her and wouldn’t want to arrest her…the cop snatched my placard which read. “CORRUPTION=DEATH”..and held it high unconsciously…he ordered his junior to arrest me. I continued shouting “A THIEF IS a THEIEF AND KENYANS ARE DYING OF HUNGER BECAUSE OF BAD LEADERSHIP”…the senior cop whispered to me asking me to be calm and stop embarrassing him to his seniors before the media.but this couldn’t be the case because on the other hand it was important for me to relay my message. While Philo was telling the two cops to leave me alone, the guy tried to bundle me into the police car boot but it failed to open. so he put me on the passenger seat…went back to where Philo was as she continued making anti corruption chants. The senior cop manhandled Philo and tore her dress.
PHILO COULDN’T SHUT UP….
They push her next to me in the police car and the senior cop sits on the co-drivers seat. His juniors seem to really fear him. He aint a human being. If you ever heard of Dracula. The guy starts punching us. Saying that now there are no cameras…that we are going to tell. He punches Philos face. When I ask him to behave like a human being he turns to me punches me then as Philo tells him to stop beating me he punches her in the jaws and face. They drive us from parliament road between city hall and kicc.the guy is a brute. he continues beating us as we move past Kimathi’s statue towards central police…and Philo continues telling him to see God in her eyes. The guy looks confused by Philo’s words. When he is unable to answer her questions he starts beating us again. Targeting Philo’s face and my stomach. He tried to reach for my private parts. He had an intention of sexually molesting me. But the way I was dressed under made it impossible for him to accomplish his inhuman mission.i was well prepared for the day. He tells the junior cop to destroy our phones so that we stop calling other leaders of the civil society. we had called quite a number by then. When we got to central police station the same senior cop hits me in the face.
THE GUY TAKES ME UPSTAIRS TO HIS OFFICE
I didn’t know where he was taking me to. I thought he was taking me to record a statement. That was not the case. He frog marched me to his office upstairs and started hitting me hard everywhere with his rungu(rod) and kicks and slaps. asking me if I belonged to Bunge la mwananchi…and who the lady I was arrested with (Philo) is. Asking me whether am associated with Mwalimu Mati, asking what I do, asking me what Philo does. I tell him he would not wish someone to do what he is doing to me to his son. he becomes more violent and claims that I embarrassed him before the media by shouting that corruption is killing Kenyans even when he had ordered me to keep quiet. I told him that is the only way my message could be relayed to those whom I was accusing of having failed in leadership. The guy becomes more stupidly angry…he then starts slapping my face without stopping…he hit my knees with his rungu..and the more I complained the more he beat me…then ordered me to get out with him .as we moved downstairs he warned that I shouldn’t tell anyone what happened to me…but this is a story I have to tell the whole world…that there are some cops who want to make one imagine preferring being in Zimbabwe than in Kenya.
When I come down I find Philo down at the OB desk. She was shoeless. She told the rogue cop that since had had decided to be the arresting officer, the prosecutor and the jury, he should let us go. But the rogue cop orders his juniors to trump up charges against us. Illegal assembly charges them with that…he says. The juniors obey the orders …the bad cop leaves. They take my belongings and her belongings too and book us into police custody. Inside the cells we get there many people arrested on flimsy grounds. With the police’ intention to get some bribe. Philo gets to discuss so many issues with all the ladies in there. Among them an eight month pregnant lady arrested together with her mother. She tells Philo that she had been brutalized by the police beaten up and she feels dizzy. the female policemen had even threatened to put hot pepper in her private parts in the disguise of wanting information from her(the expectant 30 year old lady)
The police work in cahoots with some hardcore criminals who behave like cell prefects. they frisk all people who come in the cells and collect”tax”for the police from within cells.
THE NIGHT
At about 4pm Philo and I are called from the cells. It was our lawyer. counsel Elisha Ongoya.we had a chat and he left to make necessary arrangements for our court appearance just incase they decided to take us to court.By evening civil society leaders and pen international leaders were all at the central police and the number was swelling each and every minute. I see Abel onkundi,Kelly musyoka,wangui mbatia,stephen musau,I see Mwalimu Mati,Oulu GPO,Cyprian Nyamwamu,Ann Njogu,George Nyongesa,Jane Mati,Kingwa Kamencu,Khainga Okwemba,Lydia..The number swells.mulielie,odipo,a…we all then come to notice that the same cop that had molested and brutalized us is the one who had sexually harassed Ann. Njogu when they protested against Kimunya and they were arrested together with George Nyongesa and Okiya Omtata and other civil society leaders.
They took our finger prints. Philo insisted that she didn’t want her finger prints to be taken by any policeman. Or woman given some police women had brutalized the expectant lady. Some policewomen eventually claimed that she had not been part of the group that had beaten the expectant lady. So she took Philo’s finger prints. We knew the die was cast. We were going to court. When the human rights people numbers continued to increase demanding our release, the police device a new method of dispersing them. They lead us upstairs as they tell the rest of our people including the lawyers to stay back. When we get to second floor, they take us downstairs again. Just Philo and I OTHER INMATES had been left in the cells. There in the backdoor they take us to a waiting police van. They were taking us to unknown place. they drove the police van which carried Philo,five policemen and I. they started talking the violent language of their boss, telling us to stop fighting the for human rights, Saying that we can never change the government. that is how it works…then we started a conversation…they softened as they continued driving us from Harry Thuku road,kijabe street, globe cinema round about,ngara,towards forest road. we weren’t certain whether they were taking us to karura,or parklands police station, or what?....but while still on the way to they told us that they have to do what they are instructed to do in order to feed their families and keep their jobs. We challenge them on brutality and they discount that every human being is different. Some police man starts some silly talks .that makes Philo to drown the stupid talk with song-religious tunes..Ave Maria. and others. Eventually they get us to Gigiri police station.
AT GIGIRI
It’s at about 1200 midnight .We are lead to a dark cell. We protest. Philo refuses to go to the female people’s cell. There is no one else there and it was dark. They open a cell for males for me to enter. I remain the corridor because I want to keep watch on Philo…so we keep on talking with Philo as I stand in the male cell corridor and her on the other side on the corridor of the female cell…we talk about power to the people…the cops switch lights on for a while…but after a few minutes the lights go off again and we suddenly are in total darkness. but these cops are insisting that I go to sleep. That I stop watching on Philo.that I leave Philo with them. I refuse but eventually when they open for Philo to go to a place with some light I go to one of the cell rooms and sleep for like 30 minutes. Then I hear a voice..Philo says there are some developments. That Ann Njogu and Florence Jaoko have come and obtained a bond for her. So I was to remain alone.Philo wants to remain in the cells in solidarity with me but the police say its illegal and she has to leave. So Philo leaves together with Jaoko and Ann .I go to sleep. I haven’t eaten since morning so I request the cop on duty to get me some tea. Because even at central the cops had refused to let us get the food other members of the civil society had brought us. We had refused the inmates food at central police because we took the threats by the senior cop whom I later came to identify as Mr. Mugwai very serious. in addition to that, the food was seriously rationed. Cabbage and boiled maize (githeri/nyoyo-so we thought it wise too to leave it to other inmates.)(REMEMBER THE LOST MAIZE)
After the departure of Philo from Gigiri, the central police OCS comes with some other police officers to pick me together with a contingent of five policemen. I thought they were transferring me to another police station or wherever. But the drive all the way back to the central police station. On the way I remember the trials of Paul the apostle of Jesus when he was moved from place to place as the authorities tried to intimidate him from spreading the gospel. When we get to central police I get Kamotho there with the inmates and we sleep on the floor with a lot of lice, mosquitoes and cockroaches in all police stations we were denied an opportunity to report Mugwai’s violence on us and the threats he made against me...The following day…19th feb, 2009..we are taken to the court early in the morning. There we are joined by Philo and charged. But the question remains. THE MPS VOTED NO, WE WERE ARRESTED AND BRUTALIZED.MAIZE FLOUR IS EXPENSIVE EACH AND EVERYDAY, WHERE IS THE MAIZE? WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP? CORRUPTION IS RAMPANT. Watch out……..change doesn’t come easily.
Fwamba nc Fwamba..
a.k.a Crispus Fwamba
http://fwambancfwamba.wordpress.com
http://fwambancfwamba.blogspot.com
http://kenyayoungvotersalliance.blogspot.com
18 Feb. is the day Dedan Kimathi was captured…that wasn’t in my mind as I woke up early that day of 2009. But one thing was certain that the corrupt practices of some government officials had to be rebuked at such a time when one of them was facing a censure motion in parliarment.other human rights activists and I at the freedom corner are prepared for the day. To drive the point home. .we proceeded to the parliament buildings where the Kenyans’ most corrupt fellowship. We wanted to take the message right to their doors. So it was the best venue..Philo Ikonya and I moved ahead where the visitors’ gate is towards other human rights activists. Patrick Kamotho stayed with the other group at the mps’ gate with their placards reading the message we had brought to the members of the august house who are presiding over serious corrupt practices in their ministries. ‘ `where is the maize’…one placard read…, ‘Kenyans are dying’ another one read…’unga prices are unbearable’, ‘a thief is a thief. Whether PNU or ODM’ .another one read….then Philo lashed another that summarizes all from her handbag.. .’CORRUPTION=DEATH’…that summarized everything. Our expression was symbolic and peaceful. As we moved around the parliament buildings…policemen started focusing on us. Some hired goons from Ruto’s constituency confronted Philo and started asking her whether the maize that was stolen was ours. We all flashed the newspaper images of dying Kenyans but the goons would not listen…but all other Kenyans who were passing by kept on encouraging us.
At about one oclock, one of the human rights activists who were with Patrick Kamotho comes and tells us that Kamotho had been arrested as the rest of his group scampered. He had insisted that the corrupt leaders must have an opportunity to get his message. They took him to parliament police post.
After the disruption of the majority of the protesters, we proceeded demanding the release of kamotho, and later we discovered that the police had put much focus on the two of us. So they confronted us…the guys arrested us so violently. That one senior cop whom I later came to know is called mugwai, tore Philo’s dress and dragged her on the ground..Philo couldn’t keep quiet. Neither could I. the senior cop moved to Philo and whispered to her that he knew her and wouldn’t want to arrest her…the cop snatched my placard which read. “CORRUPTION=DEATH”..and held it high unconsciously…he ordered his junior to arrest me. I continued shouting “A THIEF IS a THEIEF AND KENYANS ARE DYING OF HUNGER BECAUSE OF BAD LEADERSHIP”…the senior cop whispered to me asking me to be calm and stop embarrassing him to his seniors before the media.but this couldn’t be the case because on the other hand it was important for me to relay my message. While Philo was telling the two cops to leave me alone, the guy tried to bundle me into the police car boot but it failed to open. so he put me on the passenger seat…went back to where Philo was as she continued making anti corruption chants. The senior cop manhandled Philo and tore her dress.
PHILO COULDN’T SHUT UP….
They push her next to me in the police car and the senior cop sits on the co-drivers seat. His juniors seem to really fear him. He aint a human being. If you ever heard of Dracula. The guy starts punching us. Saying that now there are no cameras…that we are going to tell. He punches Philos face. When I ask him to behave like a human being he turns to me punches me then as Philo tells him to stop beating me he punches her in the jaws and face. They drive us from parliament road between city hall and kicc.the guy is a brute. he continues beating us as we move past Kimathi’s statue towards central police…and Philo continues telling him to see God in her eyes. The guy looks confused by Philo’s words. When he is unable to answer her questions he starts beating us again. Targeting Philo’s face and my stomach. He tried to reach for my private parts. He had an intention of sexually molesting me. But the way I was dressed under made it impossible for him to accomplish his inhuman mission.i was well prepared for the day. He tells the junior cop to destroy our phones so that we stop calling other leaders of the civil society. we had called quite a number by then. When we got to central police station the same senior cop hits me in the face.
THE GUY TAKES ME UPSTAIRS TO HIS OFFICE
I didn’t know where he was taking me to. I thought he was taking me to record a statement. That was not the case. He frog marched me to his office upstairs and started hitting me hard everywhere with his rungu(rod) and kicks and slaps. asking me if I belonged to Bunge la mwananchi…and who the lady I was arrested with (Philo) is. Asking me whether am associated with Mwalimu Mati, asking what I do, asking me what Philo does. I tell him he would not wish someone to do what he is doing to me to his son. he becomes more violent and claims that I embarrassed him before the media by shouting that corruption is killing Kenyans even when he had ordered me to keep quiet. I told him that is the only way my message could be relayed to those whom I was accusing of having failed in leadership. The guy becomes more stupidly angry…he then starts slapping my face without stopping…he hit my knees with his rungu..and the more I complained the more he beat me…then ordered me to get out with him .as we moved downstairs he warned that I shouldn’t tell anyone what happened to me…but this is a story I have to tell the whole world…that there are some cops who want to make one imagine preferring being in Zimbabwe than in Kenya.
When I come down I find Philo down at the OB desk. She was shoeless. She told the rogue cop that since had had decided to be the arresting officer, the prosecutor and the jury, he should let us go. But the rogue cop orders his juniors to trump up charges against us. Illegal assembly charges them with that…he says. The juniors obey the orders …the bad cop leaves. They take my belongings and her belongings too and book us into police custody. Inside the cells we get there many people arrested on flimsy grounds. With the police’ intention to get some bribe. Philo gets to discuss so many issues with all the ladies in there. Among them an eight month pregnant lady arrested together with her mother. She tells Philo that she had been brutalized by the police beaten up and she feels dizzy. the female policemen had even threatened to put hot pepper in her private parts in the disguise of wanting information from her(the expectant 30 year old lady)
The police work in cahoots with some hardcore criminals who behave like cell prefects. they frisk all people who come in the cells and collect”tax”for the police from within cells.
THE NIGHT
At about 4pm Philo and I are called from the cells. It was our lawyer. counsel Elisha Ongoya.we had a chat and he left to make necessary arrangements for our court appearance just incase they decided to take us to court.By evening civil society leaders and pen international leaders were all at the central police and the number was swelling each and every minute. I see Abel onkundi,Kelly musyoka,wangui mbatia,stephen musau,I see Mwalimu Mati,Oulu GPO,Cyprian Nyamwamu,Ann Njogu,George Nyongesa,Jane Mati,Kingwa Kamencu,Khainga Okwemba,Lydia..The number swells.mulielie,odipo,a…we all then come to notice that the same cop that had molested and brutalized us is the one who had sexually harassed Ann. Njogu when they protested against Kimunya and they were arrested together with George Nyongesa and Okiya Omtata and other civil society leaders.
They took our finger prints. Philo insisted that she didn’t want her finger prints to be taken by any policeman. Or woman given some police women had brutalized the expectant lady. Some policewomen eventually claimed that she had not been part of the group that had beaten the expectant lady. So she took Philo’s finger prints. We knew the die was cast. We were going to court. When the human rights people numbers continued to increase demanding our release, the police device a new method of dispersing them. They lead us upstairs as they tell the rest of our people including the lawyers to stay back. When we get to second floor, they take us downstairs again. Just Philo and I OTHER INMATES had been left in the cells. There in the backdoor they take us to a waiting police van. They were taking us to unknown place. they drove the police van which carried Philo,five policemen and I. they started talking the violent language of their boss, telling us to stop fighting the for human rights, Saying that we can never change the government. that is how it works…then we started a conversation…they softened as they continued driving us from Harry Thuku road,kijabe street, globe cinema round about,ngara,towards forest road. we weren’t certain whether they were taking us to karura,or parklands police station, or what?....but while still on the way to they told us that they have to do what they are instructed to do in order to feed their families and keep their jobs. We challenge them on brutality and they discount that every human being is different. Some police man starts some silly talks .that makes Philo to drown the stupid talk with song-religious tunes..Ave Maria. and others. Eventually they get us to Gigiri police station.
AT GIGIRI
It’s at about 1200 midnight .We are lead to a dark cell. We protest. Philo refuses to go to the female people’s cell. There is no one else there and it was dark. They open a cell for males for me to enter. I remain the corridor because I want to keep watch on Philo…so we keep on talking with Philo as I stand in the male cell corridor and her on the other side on the corridor of the female cell…we talk about power to the people…the cops switch lights on for a while…but after a few minutes the lights go off again and we suddenly are in total darkness. but these cops are insisting that I go to sleep. That I stop watching on Philo.that I leave Philo with them. I refuse but eventually when they open for Philo to go to a place with some light I go to one of the cell rooms and sleep for like 30 minutes. Then I hear a voice..Philo says there are some developments. That Ann Njogu and Florence Jaoko have come and obtained a bond for her. So I was to remain alone.Philo wants to remain in the cells in solidarity with me but the police say its illegal and she has to leave. So Philo leaves together with Jaoko and Ann .I go to sleep. I haven’t eaten since morning so I request the cop on duty to get me some tea. Because even at central the cops had refused to let us get the food other members of the civil society had brought us. We had refused the inmates food at central police because we took the threats by the senior cop whom I later came to identify as Mr. Mugwai very serious. in addition to that, the food was seriously rationed. Cabbage and boiled maize (githeri/nyoyo-so we thought it wise too to leave it to other inmates.)(REMEMBER THE LOST MAIZE)
After the departure of Philo from Gigiri, the central police OCS comes with some other police officers to pick me together with a contingent of five policemen. I thought they were transferring me to another police station or wherever. But the drive all the way back to the central police station. On the way I remember the trials of Paul the apostle of Jesus when he was moved from place to place as the authorities tried to intimidate him from spreading the gospel. When we get to central police I get Kamotho there with the inmates and we sleep on the floor with a lot of lice, mosquitoes and cockroaches in all police stations we were denied an opportunity to report Mugwai’s violence on us and the threats he made against me...The following day…19th feb, 2009..we are taken to the court early in the morning. There we are joined by Philo and charged. But the question remains. THE MPS VOTED NO, WE WERE ARRESTED AND BRUTALIZED.MAIZE FLOUR IS EXPENSIVE EACH AND EVERYDAY, WHERE IS THE MAIZE? WHERE IS THE LEADERSHIP? CORRUPTION IS RAMPANT. Watch out……..change doesn’t come easily.
Fwamba nc Fwamba..
a.k.a Crispus Fwamba
http://fwambancfwamba.wordpress.com
http://fwambancfwamba.blogspot.com
http://kenyayoungvotersalliance.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 25, 2007
NYCIII RESOLUTIONS
RESOLUTIONS OF THE THIRD NATIONAL YOUTH CONVENTION (NYC III), 11th -11th – 12th AUGUST 2007
“RECREATING OUR REPUBLIC- AMBITIONS OF A GENERATION”
Our Mission, Our commitment
STRATEGY: “ORGANIZE, LIBERATE, RE-CREATE OUR REPUBLIC”
Draft
PRE-AMBLE
We, the delegates to the 3rd National Youth Convention (NYC III) 2007 held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) between 11th and 12th August 2007
UPLIFTED AND INSPIRED by the success, triumphs and progressive young of Kenya have witnessed 10 years after the first NYC in March 1997 and the NYC 2 of February 1998; in the fields of entrepreneurship, politics, sports and the arts, in the voluntary and civic sectors, the public service, the corporate sector, the trade unions, the professions and in the gender and children and other movements;
KNOWING that we live in a period in the brief history of our independence faced with major challenges including leadership challenges, youth marginalization and disempowerment, national economic, cultural and technological dependence; national governance and identity crises; poverty, HIV AIDS, regional, social, gender and intergenerational inequalities and injustices; globalization and its concerns like terrorism, war, climate change/ global warming and environmental destruction among other challenges;
WILLING, CAPABLE AND COMMITTED to organize, to liberate, transform and recreate our republic from its current state of neglect, plunder and disorganization; as a strategy towards building a democratic, prosperous, just, equitable, peaceful, and secure nation as a starting point of leveraging our nation to play a decisive role in the African and global stage;
FURTHER DEDICATING OURSELVES as young people to sacrifice, devote and offer ourselves to undertake this our mission with commitment, passion, integrity, discipline, founded on principles and values
Do hereby resolve as follows
1. ON RECREATING THE REPUBLIC: THE AMBITIONS OF OUR GENERATION
1.1. That the 3rd national Youth Convention hereby adopts as its guiding document the “Re-creating our Republic, The ambitions of a generation” as its Program and call for its continuous review and updating; and for the widest circulation of the document to all young people and to key public and private actors in our politics, enterprise, social realms, to international partners and to other stakeholders.
The NYC III further makes the following declarations and resolutions (highlights 1.2- 1.7) to be read together with the text of “Recreating our Republic, The Ambitions of a Generation”.
1.2. Employment, Entrepreneurship and Investment:
Acknowledging the high rates of unemployment and underemployment in Kenya,
Recognizing that entrepreneurship and financial investment is the best alternative to secure livelihoods,
We hereby resolve:
• To establish an online network that promotes and educates youth on Investment ;
• To promote a culture of savings and investment among young people ;
• Establish a Youth Economic Committee that shall – establish decentralized business solution and incubation centres;
• Increase participation and representation of youth in devolved funds to ensure access of funds to youth (CDF, LATF affirmative action in disbursement)
• Promote equity in employment (affirmative action);
• Review of the Employment Act: Living wage, Advertised rates for foreigners same as Kenyans;
• Promote tax exemption for embryonic youth enterprises for up to 5 years
1.1.1 Facilitative environment
i. That provision of electricity and infrastructure in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas to facilitate livestock products processing in abattoirs, this shall be through the local authorities, constituency development funds, youth enterprise development fund and other devolved funds.
1.3. Corruption and Governance
Noting with concern that our leaders past and present have continued to perpetuate corruption at the expense of Kenyans,
Recognizing that good governance is central to the advancement of our nation,
We the Group discussing issues pertinent to corruption and good governance seek to address the national crisis we are in by ensuring that the need to have a criteria-based election strategy is put in place.
We therefore state that:
1. We shall not vote for people who have been publicly mentioned as being involved in corruption;
2. We shall not vote for people who have shown disregard for the respect of human rights and rule law; and
3. Keeping in mind that there is need to balance between experience and the energy of youth, we nevertheless will deliberately seek to ensure that there is an increase in young people as parliamentary and/or civic representatives.
1.4. Transitional Justice
Noting that we must make the decision to confront past injustices through establishing truth, accountability/ prosecution, reparation, institutional reform, memorilization and reconciliation ;
Noting that colonial and post –independence injustices are continuously manipulated and perpetuated;
Noting that there is a lack of political goodwill to tackle and undertake transitional justice policy;
Noting the importance of accountability, breaking culture of denial and silence, and unmasking manipulation and distortion of truth;
Noting and aware of the forthcoming general elections and its implication to the young people and future of the Kenya;
• Campaign for the establishment of mechanisms to facilitate comprehensive transitional justice to bear in Kenya;
• Advocate and lobby for an affirmative action to address historical socio-economic and decision making marginalization of the young people ;
• Vehemently resist rehabilitation and repackaging of perpetrators of injustices and violations ; and
• Institute and launch massive campaign for lustration and vetting of the people intending to occupy public office either elective or appointment.
1.5. Towards a new constitutional dispensation and institutional framework for our republic
1.5.1. That the young people of Kenya reject the prevailing current constitution. We declare that this constitution in neither popular, homegrown nor does it serve the values and interests of the majority of the people of Kenya.
1.5.2. That NYC is hereby mandated to facilitate the Publication of a young people compiled Draft Constitution of Kenya; improving on all the drafts and constitutional proposals so far developing and effectively resolving the critical areas of contestation.
1.5.3. That the youth inspired and driven Draft constitution be prepared by an NYC III technical committee.
1.5.4. That NYC III establishes 210 constituency Youth Assemblies to offer the youth organs to coordinate and enforce a new constitutional order in Kenya
1.5.5. That young people reject the division and polarization of the country on the basis of regionalism and negative ethnicity. We shall through the new constitution ordain common values that apply to all of s Kenyans to unite us as a nation.
1.5.6. That we actively oppose all legal, political and other tactics being applied by the current regime to further entrench the unacceptable system that violates the rights of young people and Kenyans. We shall oppose the passage of the Media Bill and other retrogressive laws that Parliament has passed aimed at slowing democratization in Kenya.
1.5.7. That we as the young people of Kenya demand for reforms now, which reform process is going to be owned by the young people effective this NYC III.
1.5.8. That young people shall apply various Strategies aimed at securing a proper process for negotiating and agreeing on a new constitution and
1.5.9. Civic education on the constitution to be carried out in all parties of the country targeting all sectors and citizens.
1.5.10. Mobilizing young people to participate in all constitution forums and in particular the constitutional drafting and negotiation bodies.
1.6. Inequality and Identity
We, the participants of the NYC III inequality and identity group having extensively discussed the issue in the context of institutions, education and affirmative action:
Note with concern, the lack of transparent and democratic mechanisms to facilitate equitable participation of youth within all areas of policy and development processes, including spaces in civil society;
Aware of the urgent need to reform the education sector to equip youth with appropriate skills to meet the modern challenges of economic, social and political development;
Bearing in mind that youth and other groups in the peripheries of society are not a homogenous group;
Recognising the need for a national recognition of the crimes of historical dispossession, invisibility, injustices and discrimination against vulnerable, minorities and marginalized groups of our society;
We hereby resolve to:
Proactively engage in developing synergy and identify strategies that ensure meaningful, adequate and equitable representation of youth in institutions and platforms, including and not limited to the Parliament, Civic and local authority spaces;
Call for the reform of the education sector to emphasize on talent development as well as provision of free or affordable secondary, professional and technical education;
Lobby the government, political parties and private sector to put in place laws and institutional frameworks that ensure affirmative action in investment and other economic opportunities for youth; and
Begin a campaign to ensure that the 50 parliamentary seats designated for women be reserved for young women and women from marginalized communities (physically challenged and minority groups).
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Charles Asiyo, Rift Valley Province
2. YOUNG PEOPLE’S POLITICAL AGENDA IN 2007
2.1. That Young people will engage in the 2007 general elections on the platform of the following 11 Principles;
i. To establish a strong equitable economy that support Kenyan entrepreneurship, savings and capital formation, employment creation and greater investments in Kenyan industries by the people of Kenya and particularly young people.
ii. To end corruption and institute clean accountable government by putting in place a leadership that shall review the legal framework governing the fight against corruption.
iii. To end social conflict and ethnic tensions by establishing new systems
iv. To Addressing historical injustices that have affected the women of Kenya, marginalized and minority communities, communities who have suffering human rights violations and atrocities. We need a truth Justice and reconciliation framework
v. To facilitate and advocate for the enactment of a new constitutional dispensation through a Constitutional reform process that is effective and people driven and informed by the youth interests.
vi. To overhaul all colonial laws, reform those laws that impinge on the people’s economic, political and social freedoms and rights and enact new progressive laws.
vii. To overhaul the justice system to increased access to justice by reforming the penal system, the judiciary and its rules and by reforming the relevant laws to uphold human rights and freedoms.
viii. To put in policies to revamp water safety, access and catchments areas protection and to revamp the environmental conservation policies to secure our country from further depletion and destruction.
ix. To overhaul Kenya’s subservient and reactionary foreign policy and put in place an independent foreign policy of peace that shall protect Kenyan interests, instigate the speedy realization of Regional integration and African unity, and promote the principle co-existence of states with different social systems, respect the sovereignty of other states, respect for human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the U.N. Universal declaration of Human Rights and the respect of other principles of international law.
2.2. That the specific targets of the young people of Kenya in the 2007elections shall be the following;
2.2.1. To field 180 youthful candidates across the countries.
2.2.2. To support political parties which organize on the basis of progressive nationalistic and transformational platforms. We shall name, shame and discourage fellow young people from supporting parties that organize on the basis of ethnic ideology and reactionary politics.
2.2.3. That the current crop of Members of Parliament and political leaders be voted out in toto for betraying the aspirations of Kenyans.
2.3. That we hereby endorse the Women and Youth Alliance (WAYA). We shall establish 210 constituency youth Assemblies that will coordinate the electoral agenda and a National Youth agenda that is coordinated at the apex by a WAYA electoral Support Centre to be located at the Youth Agenda.
2.4. That the WAYA candidates shall commit themselves to a post election action plan that shall be developed and coordinated by the WAYA.
Proposed by:
Seconded by: John Odeyo, Nyanza Province
3. ON REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND AFRICAN UNITY (removed)
Amendment: all statements on, or relating to African unity to be removed until substantive discussions are had on this very important and controversial issue.
We resolve;
3.1. That African unity is a priority. It is the framework through which political, moral and social accountability shall be enhanced and realized within our nations and societies in Africa. The end to the atrocities, murders, poverty, deprivation and dehumanizing conditions of our people all over the continent who continue to suffer under the hands of unpatriotic, despotic and fascist regimes such as in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, the Gambia and Zimbabwe and in failed states such as Somalia, among other countries can not be ended within the current AU principles of non interference in internal affairs of member states. The formation of United States of Africa will hasten the process towards ending impunity clothed within the paragraphs of state sovereignty. Impunity, fueled by illegitimate militaries that serve no good than as consumers and markets for European, North American and developed countries’ military industry weapons of human destruction shall be uprooted with the establishment of the an African government. (Remove or rephrase)
3.2. That we support the formation of Pax Africa (An African Military) and the formation of the United states of Africa (USAf). The young people shall only vote for a presidential candidate in the 2007 elections who unequivocally rejects the minimalist-gradualist stance taken by most African leaders and governments including President Mwai Kibaki towards the urgent and progressive Panafricanist demand for African integration and unity. Young people shall therefore undoubtedly endorse leaders who champion for the fast tracking of African Unity and the formation of a United States of Africa.
3.3. That the young people of Kenya shall only support candidates for parliamentary and presidential seats and political Parties that unreservedly endorse the immediate and urgent mission of East African political integration and African integration. (remove)
3.4. That the Young people of Kenya shall hence forth establish forums and campaigns for the fast tracking of the East African Federation and for African Unity (remove) where political education, awareness and mobilization for this value shall feature.
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: TBC
4. ON GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND TRADE
4.1. Young people shall support partnerships that are founded on principles of justice, empowerment of poor economies and nations, promote local investors and
4.2. That young people shall not support the principle of free trade but fair trade that appreciates that free trade is not achievable under highly protectionist regimes operated by the developed world while poor countries are forced to endorse catastrophic trade policies including unmitigated liberation, privatization, zero tax zones, deregulation and removal of tariffs to open up markets for developed countries.
4.3. That young people have and here by reject the EPA framework arising from the ACP-EU framework. The EPA framework shall further enslave the African peoples and return their economies under the control the Europeans and other develops countries.
4.4. That young demand that
4.5. That reform to the WTO spearheaded by African countries be undertaken urgently to ensure the WTO is used by the rich and powerful member countries to entrench unfair trade as is the situation today.
4.6. That reforms to the UN security council and the Assembly be undertaken
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Jane Koske, Rift Valley Province
5. ON AID, DONOR DEPENDENCY AND OUR ECONOMY
5.1. That foreign financial, technical and other strategic aid that has since independence been channeled to the Kenyan government, NGOs, trade unions, religious bodies and other civil society organizations and movements has institutionalized dependency, conditioned our county’s development and foreign policy to serve foreign interests, has disempowered our people and led to a debt crisis. Foreign development Aid has insulated our government from political accountability and created a climate where corruption and violation of Human rights are operated with impunity.
5.2. That while aid is useful in promoting the realization of development goals and in particular the Millennium Development goals and other development projects and initiatives, young people demand that a national aid- weaning plan be put in place that shall make Kenya and the East African Community/ Federation an aid-free zone over the next 10 years.
Proposed by: TBC
Adopted by: Steven Otieno, Nyanza Province
6. ON YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING OVER LEADERSHIP BY 2012
6.1. That young people shall consolidate the gains made over the last 10 years of structured engagement by unveiling the youth Movement organized around the National Youth Convention. All progressive and competent Youth movements in Kenya shall be consolidated under one umbrella body supported by the NYC framework.
6.2. That the NYC shall be organized around;
i. A common Young people’s nationalist, progressive and revolutionary vision and agenda.
ii. A common mission to promote the realization of the ambitions of our generation and to combat all threats to the realization collectively and
iii. Common values, standards, principles and code of conduct.
iv. Appropriate innovative, effective and efficient strategies and structures.
v. A membership that shall include young people in enterprise, politics, civic and voluntary sector, youth in sports and the arts, scholarship and academia
6.3. That young people shall coordinate the take over in all the social, state and market institutions inspired by the principle of intergeneration equity using the various
6.4. That young candidates who meet the requisite standards and ethical and other qualifications as shall be stipulated by young people shall be fielded in all the parliamentary and civic seats
6.5. That young people shall field a young presidential candidate
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Connie Matendechere
7. ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS: MECHANISMS AND OPERATIONALIZATION STRATEGIES
7.1. That the 4th National Youth Convention (NYC IV) be organized within the next one year to offer young people a chance to evaluate the implementation of the NYC III resolutions and to plan forward.
7.2. That the 4th National Youth Convention (NYC IV) should be organized informed by the following standards and guidelines;
Young people should contribute finances, skills, information, networks and other resources to facilitate the effective convening of the convention
Proposed by: Maurice Wekesa, Western Province
Seconded by: S.K. Waithaka, Coast Province
Provision:
1. That there be follow up discussions to inform the implementation of the resolutions of the NYC III.
2. That young Kenyans will decentralize the Convention to allow for implementation of the resolutions at grassroots level.
“RECREATING OUR REPUBLIC- AMBITIONS OF A GENERATION”
Our Mission, Our commitment
STRATEGY: “ORGANIZE, LIBERATE, RE-CREATE OUR REPUBLIC”
Draft
PRE-AMBLE
We, the delegates to the 3rd National Youth Convention (NYC III) 2007 held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) between 11th and 12th August 2007
UPLIFTED AND INSPIRED by the success, triumphs and progressive young of Kenya have witnessed 10 years after the first NYC in March 1997 and the NYC 2 of February 1998; in the fields of entrepreneurship, politics, sports and the arts, in the voluntary and civic sectors, the public service, the corporate sector, the trade unions, the professions and in the gender and children and other movements;
KNOWING that we live in a period in the brief history of our independence faced with major challenges including leadership challenges, youth marginalization and disempowerment, national economic, cultural and technological dependence; national governance and identity crises; poverty, HIV AIDS, regional, social, gender and intergenerational inequalities and injustices; globalization and its concerns like terrorism, war, climate change/ global warming and environmental destruction among other challenges;
WILLING, CAPABLE AND COMMITTED to organize, to liberate, transform and recreate our republic from its current state of neglect, plunder and disorganization; as a strategy towards building a democratic, prosperous, just, equitable, peaceful, and secure nation as a starting point of leveraging our nation to play a decisive role in the African and global stage;
FURTHER DEDICATING OURSELVES as young people to sacrifice, devote and offer ourselves to undertake this our mission with commitment, passion, integrity, discipline, founded on principles and values
Do hereby resolve as follows
1. ON RECREATING THE REPUBLIC: THE AMBITIONS OF OUR GENERATION
1.1. That the 3rd national Youth Convention hereby adopts as its guiding document the “Re-creating our Republic, The ambitions of a generation” as its Program and call for its continuous review and updating; and for the widest circulation of the document to all young people and to key public and private actors in our politics, enterprise, social realms, to international partners and to other stakeholders.
The NYC III further makes the following declarations and resolutions (highlights 1.2- 1.7) to be read together with the text of “Recreating our Republic, The Ambitions of a Generation”.
1.2. Employment, Entrepreneurship and Investment:
Acknowledging the high rates of unemployment and underemployment in Kenya,
Recognizing that entrepreneurship and financial investment is the best alternative to secure livelihoods,
We hereby resolve:
• To establish an online network that promotes and educates youth on Investment ;
• To promote a culture of savings and investment among young people ;
• Establish a Youth Economic Committee that shall – establish decentralized business solution and incubation centres;
• Increase participation and representation of youth in devolved funds to ensure access of funds to youth (CDF, LATF affirmative action in disbursement)
• Promote equity in employment (affirmative action);
• Review of the Employment Act: Living wage, Advertised rates for foreigners same as Kenyans;
• Promote tax exemption for embryonic youth enterprises for up to 5 years
1.1.1 Facilitative environment
i. That provision of electricity and infrastructure in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid areas to facilitate livestock products processing in abattoirs, this shall be through the local authorities, constituency development funds, youth enterprise development fund and other devolved funds.
1.3. Corruption and Governance
Noting with concern that our leaders past and present have continued to perpetuate corruption at the expense of Kenyans,
Recognizing that good governance is central to the advancement of our nation,
We the Group discussing issues pertinent to corruption and good governance seek to address the national crisis we are in by ensuring that the need to have a criteria-based election strategy is put in place.
We therefore state that:
1. We shall not vote for people who have been publicly mentioned as being involved in corruption;
2. We shall not vote for people who have shown disregard for the respect of human rights and rule law; and
3. Keeping in mind that there is need to balance between experience and the energy of youth, we nevertheless will deliberately seek to ensure that there is an increase in young people as parliamentary and/or civic representatives.
1.4. Transitional Justice
Noting that we must make the decision to confront past injustices through establishing truth, accountability/ prosecution, reparation, institutional reform, memorilization and reconciliation ;
Noting that colonial and post –independence injustices are continuously manipulated and perpetuated;
Noting that there is a lack of political goodwill to tackle and undertake transitional justice policy;
Noting the importance of accountability, breaking culture of denial and silence, and unmasking manipulation and distortion of truth;
Noting and aware of the forthcoming general elections and its implication to the young people and future of the Kenya;
• Campaign for the establishment of mechanisms to facilitate comprehensive transitional justice to bear in Kenya;
• Advocate and lobby for an affirmative action to address historical socio-economic and decision making marginalization of the young people ;
• Vehemently resist rehabilitation and repackaging of perpetrators of injustices and violations ; and
• Institute and launch massive campaign for lustration and vetting of the people intending to occupy public office either elective or appointment.
1.5. Towards a new constitutional dispensation and institutional framework for our republic
1.5.1. That the young people of Kenya reject the prevailing current constitution. We declare that this constitution in neither popular, homegrown nor does it serve the values and interests of the majority of the people of Kenya.
1.5.2. That NYC is hereby mandated to facilitate the Publication of a young people compiled Draft Constitution of Kenya; improving on all the drafts and constitutional proposals so far developing and effectively resolving the critical areas of contestation.
1.5.3. That the youth inspired and driven Draft constitution be prepared by an NYC III technical committee.
1.5.4. That NYC III establishes 210 constituency Youth Assemblies to offer the youth organs to coordinate and enforce a new constitutional order in Kenya
1.5.5. That young people reject the division and polarization of the country on the basis of regionalism and negative ethnicity. We shall through the new constitution ordain common values that apply to all of s Kenyans to unite us as a nation.
1.5.6. That we actively oppose all legal, political and other tactics being applied by the current regime to further entrench the unacceptable system that violates the rights of young people and Kenyans. We shall oppose the passage of the Media Bill and other retrogressive laws that Parliament has passed aimed at slowing democratization in Kenya.
1.5.7. That we as the young people of Kenya demand for reforms now, which reform process is going to be owned by the young people effective this NYC III.
1.5.8. That young people shall apply various Strategies aimed at securing a proper process for negotiating and agreeing on a new constitution and
1.5.9. Civic education on the constitution to be carried out in all parties of the country targeting all sectors and citizens.
1.5.10. Mobilizing young people to participate in all constitution forums and in particular the constitutional drafting and negotiation bodies.
1.6. Inequality and Identity
We, the participants of the NYC III inequality and identity group having extensively discussed the issue in the context of institutions, education and affirmative action:
Note with concern, the lack of transparent and democratic mechanisms to facilitate equitable participation of youth within all areas of policy and development processes, including spaces in civil society;
Aware of the urgent need to reform the education sector to equip youth with appropriate skills to meet the modern challenges of economic, social and political development;
Bearing in mind that youth and other groups in the peripheries of society are not a homogenous group;
Recognising the need for a national recognition of the crimes of historical dispossession, invisibility, injustices and discrimination against vulnerable, minorities and marginalized groups of our society;
We hereby resolve to:
Proactively engage in developing synergy and identify strategies that ensure meaningful, adequate and equitable representation of youth in institutions and platforms, including and not limited to the Parliament, Civic and local authority spaces;
Call for the reform of the education sector to emphasize on talent development as well as provision of free or affordable secondary, professional and technical education;
Lobby the government, political parties and private sector to put in place laws and institutional frameworks that ensure affirmative action in investment and other economic opportunities for youth; and
Begin a campaign to ensure that the 50 parliamentary seats designated for women be reserved for young women and women from marginalized communities (physically challenged and minority groups).
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Charles Asiyo, Rift Valley Province
2. YOUNG PEOPLE’S POLITICAL AGENDA IN 2007
2.1. That Young people will engage in the 2007 general elections on the platform of the following 11 Principles;
i. To establish a strong equitable economy that support Kenyan entrepreneurship, savings and capital formation, employment creation and greater investments in Kenyan industries by the people of Kenya and particularly young people.
ii. To end corruption and institute clean accountable government by putting in place a leadership that shall review the legal framework governing the fight against corruption.
iii. To end social conflict and ethnic tensions by establishing new systems
iv. To Addressing historical injustices that have affected the women of Kenya, marginalized and minority communities, communities who have suffering human rights violations and atrocities. We need a truth Justice and reconciliation framework
v. To facilitate and advocate for the enactment of a new constitutional dispensation through a Constitutional reform process that is effective and people driven and informed by the youth interests.
vi. To overhaul all colonial laws, reform those laws that impinge on the people’s economic, political and social freedoms and rights and enact new progressive laws.
vii. To overhaul the justice system to increased access to justice by reforming the penal system, the judiciary and its rules and by reforming the relevant laws to uphold human rights and freedoms.
viii. To put in policies to revamp water safety, access and catchments areas protection and to revamp the environmental conservation policies to secure our country from further depletion and destruction.
ix. To overhaul Kenya’s subservient and reactionary foreign policy and put in place an independent foreign policy of peace that shall protect Kenyan interests, instigate the speedy realization of Regional integration and African unity, and promote the principle co-existence of states with different social systems, respect the sovereignty of other states, respect for human rights and freedoms as enshrined in the U.N. Universal declaration of Human Rights and the respect of other principles of international law.
2.2. That the specific targets of the young people of Kenya in the 2007elections shall be the following;
2.2.1. To field 180 youthful candidates across the countries.
2.2.2. To support political parties which organize on the basis of progressive nationalistic and transformational platforms. We shall name, shame and discourage fellow young people from supporting parties that organize on the basis of ethnic ideology and reactionary politics.
2.2.3. That the current crop of Members of Parliament and political leaders be voted out in toto for betraying the aspirations of Kenyans.
2.3. That we hereby endorse the Women and Youth Alliance (WAYA). We shall establish 210 constituency youth Assemblies that will coordinate the electoral agenda and a National Youth agenda that is coordinated at the apex by a WAYA electoral Support Centre to be located at the Youth Agenda.
2.4. That the WAYA candidates shall commit themselves to a post election action plan that shall be developed and coordinated by the WAYA.
Proposed by:
Seconded by: John Odeyo, Nyanza Province
3. ON REGIONAL INTEGRATION AND AFRICAN UNITY (removed)
Amendment: all statements on, or relating to African unity to be removed until substantive discussions are had on this very important and controversial issue.
We resolve;
3.1. That African unity is a priority. It is the framework through which political, moral and social accountability shall be enhanced and realized within our nations and societies in Africa. The end to the atrocities, murders, poverty, deprivation and dehumanizing conditions of our people all over the continent who continue to suffer under the hands of unpatriotic, despotic and fascist regimes such as in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Uganda, Sudan, Chad, Nigeria, the Gambia and Zimbabwe and in failed states such as Somalia, among other countries can not be ended within the current AU principles of non interference in internal affairs of member states. The formation of United States of Africa will hasten the process towards ending impunity clothed within the paragraphs of state sovereignty. Impunity, fueled by illegitimate militaries that serve no good than as consumers and markets for European, North American and developed countries’ military industry weapons of human destruction shall be uprooted with the establishment of the an African government. (Remove or rephrase)
3.2. That we support the formation of Pax Africa (An African Military) and the formation of the United states of Africa (USAf). The young people shall only vote for a presidential candidate in the 2007 elections who unequivocally rejects the minimalist-gradualist stance taken by most African leaders and governments including President Mwai Kibaki towards the urgent and progressive Panafricanist demand for African integration and unity. Young people shall therefore undoubtedly endorse leaders who champion for the fast tracking of African Unity and the formation of a United States of Africa.
3.3. That the young people of Kenya shall only support candidates for parliamentary and presidential seats and political Parties that unreservedly endorse the immediate and urgent mission of East African political integration and African integration. (remove)
3.4. That the Young people of Kenya shall hence forth establish forums and campaigns for the fast tracking of the East African Federation and for African Unity (remove) where political education, awareness and mobilization for this value shall feature.
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: TBC
4. ON GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS AND TRADE
4.1. Young people shall support partnerships that are founded on principles of justice, empowerment of poor economies and nations, promote local investors and
4.2. That young people shall not support the principle of free trade but fair trade that appreciates that free trade is not achievable under highly protectionist regimes operated by the developed world while poor countries are forced to endorse catastrophic trade policies including unmitigated liberation, privatization, zero tax zones, deregulation and removal of tariffs to open up markets for developed countries.
4.3. That young people have and here by reject the EPA framework arising from the ACP-EU framework. The EPA framework shall further enslave the African peoples and return their economies under the control the Europeans and other develops countries.
4.4. That young demand that
4.5. That reform to the WTO spearheaded by African countries be undertaken urgently to ensure the WTO is used by the rich and powerful member countries to entrench unfair trade as is the situation today.
4.6. That reforms to the UN security council and the Assembly be undertaken
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Jane Koske, Rift Valley Province
5. ON AID, DONOR DEPENDENCY AND OUR ECONOMY
5.1. That foreign financial, technical and other strategic aid that has since independence been channeled to the Kenyan government, NGOs, trade unions, religious bodies and other civil society organizations and movements has institutionalized dependency, conditioned our county’s development and foreign policy to serve foreign interests, has disempowered our people and led to a debt crisis. Foreign development Aid has insulated our government from political accountability and created a climate where corruption and violation of Human rights are operated with impunity.
5.2. That while aid is useful in promoting the realization of development goals and in particular the Millennium Development goals and other development projects and initiatives, young people demand that a national aid- weaning plan be put in place that shall make Kenya and the East African Community/ Federation an aid-free zone over the next 10 years.
Proposed by: TBC
Adopted by: Steven Otieno, Nyanza Province
6. ON YOUNG PEOPLE TAKING OVER LEADERSHIP BY 2012
6.1. That young people shall consolidate the gains made over the last 10 years of structured engagement by unveiling the youth Movement organized around the National Youth Convention. All progressive and competent Youth movements in Kenya shall be consolidated under one umbrella body supported by the NYC framework.
6.2. That the NYC shall be organized around;
i. A common Young people’s nationalist, progressive and revolutionary vision and agenda.
ii. A common mission to promote the realization of the ambitions of our generation and to combat all threats to the realization collectively and
iii. Common values, standards, principles and code of conduct.
iv. Appropriate innovative, effective and efficient strategies and structures.
v. A membership that shall include young people in enterprise, politics, civic and voluntary sector, youth in sports and the arts, scholarship and academia
6.3. That young people shall coordinate the take over in all the social, state and market institutions inspired by the principle of intergeneration equity using the various
6.4. That young candidates who meet the requisite standards and ethical and other qualifications as shall be stipulated by young people shall be fielded in all the parliamentary and civic seats
6.5. That young people shall field a young presidential candidate
Proposed by: TBC
Seconded by: Connie Matendechere
7. ON IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESOLUTIONS: MECHANISMS AND OPERATIONALIZATION STRATEGIES
7.1. That the 4th National Youth Convention (NYC IV) be organized within the next one year to offer young people a chance to evaluate the implementation of the NYC III resolutions and to plan forward.
7.2. That the 4th National Youth Convention (NYC IV) should be organized informed by the following standards and guidelines;
Young people should contribute finances, skills, information, networks and other resources to facilitate the effective convening of the convention
Proposed by: Maurice Wekesa, Western Province
Seconded by: S.K. Waithaka, Coast Province
Provision:
1. That there be follow up discussions to inform the implementation of the resolutions of the NYC III.
2. That young Kenyans will decentralize the Convention to allow for implementation of the resolutions at grassroots level.
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