AN EARNEST APPEAL FOR PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

AN EARNEST APPEAL FOR PEACE AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
BY KOINONIA COMMUNITY AND AFRICA PEACE POINT

Following the escalation of violence in various parts of the country occasioned by disputed presidential poll results, we appeal to the protagonists to embrace dialogue and give peace a chance. It is sad to note that over 300 people have lost their lives, several others severely wounded and over 100,000 displaced since December 30, 2007, when the Electoral Commission of Kenya Chairman Mr Samuel Kivuitu announced the results of the presidential poll.

Over the years, Kenya has remained an oasis of peace in the region, hosting thousands of refugees fleeing from war-torn countries. We must therefore not allow the results of an election to divide us along ethnic lines but instead strive to keep peace and cherish democratic principles.
Kenya is proud to have some of its sons as international peace mediators. It is instructive that three of them—retired generals Daniel Opande and Lazarus Sumbeiywo and Ambassador Bethuel Kiplagat--have already volunteered their services under the auspices of the concerned citizens of peace. Such initiatives and those of the African Union, European Union and other mediators currently in the country should be harnessed to find a lasting solution to the current impasse. Members of Koinonia Community and of Africa Peace Point coordinated by Michael Ochieng’ and Fr. Kizito are moving in the informal settlements of Nairobi identifying the victims of the violence with a view to offering them humanitarian assistance.

As a first step towards reconciliation, there is need for the establishment of an independent international commission of inquiry to look into the controversial presidential tallies. In the meantime, both President Mwai Kibaki and his closest challenger Mr. Raila Odinga must not set any conditions as prerequisites to negotiations. The two leaders should instead immediately call upon their supporters to shun violence and destruction of property as a peaceful settlement is being worked out. For Kenya to move forward, peace is a must.

In order to address the immediate human challenges prevailing and to save the suffering and vulnerable children and women, Koinonia Community and Africa Peace Point are making a Flash Appeal to all their friends over the world to mobilize resources for humanitarian emergency relief and early recovery needs of the residents of informal settlements in Nairobi who have been most affected by clashes occasioned by a disputed election. Such informal settlements include Kibera, Mathare, Korogocho and Kawangware.

Emergency needs identified are: food, medicine, water and sanitation, shelter and infrastructure, as well as mediation and reconciliation meetings with the affected people. This appeal is being coordinated by Koinonia Community who is active in humanitarian activities in Kenya, Zambia and Sudan and Africa Peace Point that has experience in the Juba Peace Talks.

Michael Ochieng’ and Fr. Renato Kizito Sesana Mccj
Africa Peace Point and Koinonia Community

Incase of material donations please send them to:

Koinonia Community

Shalom House (Dagoretti Corner, St, D. Comboni Road, off Ngong Road)

P. O. Box 21255, 00505 Nairobi, Kenya

Tel; +254.733.718.714

If in cash please deposit into the following account:

BANK: CITIBANK

BRANCH: UPPERHILL

ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 30711 - 00100 NAIROBI.

SWIFT CODE: CITIKENA

ACCOUNT NAME: KOINONIA COMMUNITY – PEACE

ACCOUNT NUMBER: 0102 674 065 (EURO)

ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 21255 - 00505 NAIROBI