Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

Solution lies in unearthing the truth and embracing justice

Story by WANGARI MAATHAI




The current situation in Kenya is unfortunate, sad and very disappointing. Kenyans had worked so hard to make the country safer, more prosperous, more democratic and more peaceful.

On December 27, 2007, Kenya voted. The Presidential Election was hotly contested and close. Thereafter, the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) made the now controversial announcement that President Kibaki was the winner. Then chaos erupted.

Both direct and collateral victims of the tragedy, and indeed many Kenyans everywhere, are reeling in pain, shock, anger, frustration and shame. How could it happen here? Pictures of street demonstrators in running battles fill TV screens, print and electronic media throughout the world: Kenya is at war with itself.

KENYANS AND THE INTERNATIONAL community plead for dialogue but the two rival parties will not budge!

The numbers of internally displaced persons continue to rise. They are weeping, in pain and traumatised. Some have lost their relatives, homes and livelihoods. They have no time to nurse the wounded, bury their dead or mourn. They are on the run. People in different political camps are attacking each other everywhere. In the meantime, pleas to the leaders fall on deaf ears.

The resurgence of tribal clashes is particularly painful and frustrating. It is a beast that appears especially during the elections. At the end of every occurrence, victims are encouraged to forgive, forget, and allow time to heal, reconcile and move for-ward. People do try to forget and move forward, but they are deeply wounded and painfully traumatised.

Healing and reconciliation have never been given a chance. It is easy to advice victims of tribal clashes to heal and reconcile from the safety of high offices and safe homes, but it is dialogue between the two leaders that would create the necessary conducive environment for healing and reconciliation.

Unfortunately, whenever tribal clashes break out, the Government seems to be completely unaware and unprepared. Understanding the causes of tribal clashes would help those who ask the question: ‘Why would Kenyans, who have lived together as neighbours, suddenly turn on each other with such hatred and destructive intent?

Kenyans must deal with the reasons these clashes recur. As solutions are sought, Kenyans need to know the truth about these clashes and why they recur. They need justice before they can begin to heal, reconcile and move forward... in that order.

There can be no healing and reconciliation unless and until the truth is laid bare and justice is administered. This time round, let Kenyans not sweep tribal clashes, demonstrations, murders, rapes and destruction of property under the carpet. Let the truth be known! Only when the truth is known and justice is received can anxiety be reduced and the wounds begin to heal. Only then can reconciliation start and people begin to look into the future with hope.

The road to the truth can be long and painful, and Kenyans must be ready for it. It is much easier to bury the truth and move forward. But without truth, how do we administer justice? And can healing and reconciliation be possible without justice? This road is not easy, but Kenyans can begin by laying bare and subsequently putting to rest the reasons they recur.

For instance, Kenyans know that there are perceptions, prejudices, biases and stereotypes, which are perpetrated by communities about each other, and they go back a long way. They are divisive when they are used as tools to cause resentment, dislike and even hatred.

WHY NOT CRIMINALISE THEM AND punish those people who use them to ‘divide and rule’?

Secondly, Kenyans know that historically, the colonial government forced the displacement of large numbers of people to make way for white settlers.

At independence land changed hands, but the issue of land ownership and distribution remained unresolved. Why not sort out this issue once and for all?

Kenyans, and indeed all Africans, need to embrace their micro-nationalities because they need culture, language, values and purpose. They do not have to melt into the nation state: It is impossible anyway.


Prof Maathai is the 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner.

Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

Destruction and killings chilling


The political impasse has rocked the nation beyond many people’s imagination.

The killings and wanton destruction of property in various parts of the country are simply chilling.

What started as disagreement over the disputed presidential result, now seems to assume an ethnic dimension.

Who are behind all this violence?


Kenya is on the run and we may never catch up and hold its beauty once again in our hands.

Should the violence continue, the repercussions ahead will be too grave to contemplate. We love this country, and do not want the beautiful past achievements wasted.

Please, let each and everyone of us act responsibly.


All communities need each other

Brothers and sisters, we used to be together before the elections, and we still need one another, more than our worldly possessions.

We are different members (ethnic groups) of one body (Kenya). The eye can’t tell the nose: “You are of no benefit to me,” or the leg to the hand that, “I can do without you,” No! Why? Because the members of the body have different but complementary roles.

Second example; look at the house. A house without a window door, roof or a wall, can’t be called a house. All these things need one another in order to complete the picture.

Inciters are not reaching out to you, for your benefit, but for their own.

You are better off taking care of your neighbour than a politician who comes to you only once in a long time.

Whether we like it or not, we all need one another.

We have come so far since independence. We are “inseparable” and should remain united.

Economic loss beyond estimates

Without doubt, every guesstimate proffered relating to the social and economic mayhem and damage wrought on our poor country over the past few weeks, is an underestimate.

Two things clearly stand out. The fallout is so diverse, deep and ongoing that at this juncture, all one can say is that it is gargantuan, unquantifiable and compounding.

The second is that the robust economic restoration and progress witnessed in the past few years has been systematically halted and in some cases, wrecked in a mere three weeks. As things stand, the performance of and confidence in our economy has regressed to those dark old days of the last decade of the Moi era. It is indeed ironic that President Kibaki both presided over its greatly improved performance and its hasty downturn.

It is important to point out that even if a semblance of social harmony and order resumes, hand in hand with a return of reasonable commercial and economic activity, much damage has been inflicted and will result in a high price. What is taking place now is a move from short term damage, which is often easier to recover from, to one of harder, medium term decisions.

These range from whether to hold back on investment and loans, to deciding whether to include, or exclude, Kenya from much of the tourist circuit.

It is useful to point out that whilst the Kenyan economy was performing strongly and confidence was high prior to the election fallout, there were some grey clouds on the horizon that were going to impact on performance this year. First, the last rains were deficient in several parts and around 70 per cent of the crop planted failed. This will put additional pressure on food prices, especially in those areas.

Furthermore, any handbrake put on agricultural activity feeds through to reduced overall economic performance.

Secondly, the world is experiencing some massive price shocks in oil and basic foods, which impact heavily and negatively on all, Kenya included. The price of oil is knocking at the door of $100 a barrel and the price of wheat has risen by 80 per cent in the past year.

BEARING IN MIND KENYA IMPORTS all of the former and much of the latter, as well as a number of other foodstuffs, it is not difficult why the cost of living is roaring ahead. Third, the US economy is in a downturn with resultant negative ramifications for the rest of the world.

So, factors beyond our control were likely to shave off a couple of percentage points of our growth even before the mayhem. We would have done well to have got through this year with a growth rate of 5 per cent plus, without the self inflicted damage.

That has now all changed and a good example of the short and medium term self-inflicted damage is to look at our tourism industry. In the past three years the Kenyan tourist industry had started to take off. We have moved from a plateau of half a million international arrivals to over a million. It has roared ahead of tea and horticulture exports, to become Kenya’s largest foreign exchange earner.

I used the words “started to take off” deliberately because Kenya’s share of the world tourism cake, in relation to its potential, is minimal. The prospect of two million international visitors within three years was a very real one.

Today, Kenya tourism is dead in the water. Cancellations now extend to mid year and Kenya is fast being taken off the world tourism radar screen so that the next two high seasons are likely to be sluggish, to say the least.

Tourism is just one of many examples. There is damage inflicted on all sectors and sub-sectors of the economy. Then there is the loss of confidence that accompanies such damage.

However, the fundamentals of Kenya’s economy are good. It is resilient and will pick up. But the damage is extensive and it will take time and much dedication.


Quelles sont les conséquences économiques pour le Kenya?

Le tourisme, un des secteurs moteurs de l’économie du pays, qui emploie 250 000 personnes, a subi des pertes sévères, des centaines de ressortissants étrangers ayant été évacués du pays par les tour opérateurs, dont les activités sont quasiment paralysées. Les pertes du secteur hôtelier sont estimées à près de 40 millions d’euros pour la période qui va jusqu’à la mi-janvier. Grâce au port de Mombasa, le Kenya est un carrefour pour l’approvisionnement de toute la région, et la destruction de portions du chemin de fer et de la route de l’ouest, bloquée par des barrages de miliciens, a provoqué des graves problèmes de ravitaillement notamment en Ouganda, au Burundi et au Rwanda. Rien que pour le mois de janvier, l’activité industrielle a baissé de 35% et risque de provoquer le licenciement de 400 000 employés d’ici le mois de mai. Les secteurs du thé et des fleurs (le Kenya fournit un quart de l’importation florale de l’Europe) ont subi également une forte baisse de leur activité, basée essentiellement dans la vallée du Rift.

STATEMENT BY KENYA TOURISM INDUSTRY

rebuilding the industry after the slump of 1997

• Kenya's tourism stakeholders have worked tirelessly over the last seven years to rebuild the industry after the slump of 1997, earning the country Kshs 65.4 Billion in 2007.

• Tourism is now Kenya s leading source of foreign exchange, directly employing over 250,000 people while supporting an estimated 3 million people indirectly

• Tourism has a huge impact on all aspects of the national economy, especially agriculture, transport and communication, aviation, oil companies, breweries, manufacturers, technology firms, insurance companies, advertising agencies, construction firms, artisans, handicraft makers, community projects, the small business and informal sector amongst many others.

• Tourism generates approximately Kshs 20 Billion in tax revenue for the Government each year.

• A big percentage of tourist bookings for the first half of the 2008 have been lost.

Those for the rest of the year hang in the balance awaiting the outcome of political developments.

An average of Kshs 5.5 Billion in revenue is expected to be lost every month.

• The view that the current economic crisis can be readily and quickly overcome is erroneous.

Tourism recovery is a long and expensive process that needs a supportive and pro-active leadership willing to achieve this.

WHY SHOULD THE ABOVE CONCERN THE KENYANS ?

There may be a temptation to view the above issues as "a tourism industry problem" but the truth of the matter is that it is all Kenyans irrespective of their political affiliation who will suffer because:- -

• Hotels and lodges are recording very low occupancies and some are almost empty.

There are also, very few visitors to the National Parks and Reserves.

As a result, 120,000 people face imminent unemployment and their families will be plunged into poverty regardless of how they voted.

• There will be a ripple effect hitting suppliers in agriculture, industry and other supporting sectors.

These sectors will suffer loss of businesses and jobs. Airlines are also recording losses as tourists fail to come to Kenya.

• The tourism informal sector supports an estimated 250,000 jobs in several areas such as handicrafts, transport, supplies etc.

A vast majority of these workers (especially at the Coast) stand to suffer immediately regardless of how they voted.

• Several Government projects are supported (directly or indirectly) by revenues derived from tourism.

The viability of such projects may well be affected.

• Several Local Authorities areas (e.g. Narok, Trans Mara, lsiolo, and Samburu) are almost entirely dependent on tourism.

The livelihood and incomes of persons resident in these areas are at risk.

Kenya's reputation as a leading tourist destination is being damaged in the global marketplace with our competitors taking away our prospective clients.

Do our leaders care?

OUR MESSAGE TO KENYANS :

Our Honourable Members of Parliament have shown us the way.

Despite their differences, when they met in Parliament they did not engage in demonstrations and violence.

They observed the rules of the House and in so doing have now secured their salaries and by extension, their livelihoods.

Why do you want to destroy yours?

Shun violence and hooliganism ... Give dialogue a chance... You can make a difference.

To Politicians:

• There are more Kenyans trying to get to work and earn their living than there are those trying to demonstrate on the streets.

Let us separate the political problems currently being experienced from the right of all Kenyans (of whatever political persuasion) to earn a decent living.

• Every day that the political impasse continues is another deathblow to the economy.

While negotiations continue to falter and the disagreements spill over into our streets with calls for demonstrations, millions of innocent Kenyans are losing their livelihoods.

Their hopes and dreams for the future are being shattered regardless of how they voted.

We specifically appeal to H.E. the President, Hon. Mwai Kibaki and Hon. Raila Odinga to demonstrate their Statesmanship and save this great country from economic disaster Show Kenyans that you care about our country and act now by meeting and effecting a political settlement to this political crisis

Tourism must be given priority to rebuild our economy and our leaders need to address this issue immediately.

Tourism Creates Wealth. Tourism Creates Employment. Tourism Alleviates Poverty!

Please restore and maintain peace!!!

Kenya Tourism Federation : Tel: 601343, Fax: 604730 Tourist Helpline: 254-020-604767 Cell: 0722 745645/0733 617499 Email : safetour@wananchi.com

Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

Our leaders have let us down

Sometimes I sit down and reflect on all that is happening in Kenya today and cry. The question that keeps coming to my mind is: do our leaders ever think about what they do to the people?

Being a young Kenyan I work hard each day to get something out of my life. Everything I own is through my honesty and hard work. But, like all the other youths who were sweet-talked into voting for our “caring leaders”, I face tomorrow with fear.

Our jobs hang in the balance, while salaries and other incomes as well as a good sleep are threatened.

I wake up every morning worried that I will be sent back home with the simple statement, no work — all the hard work I have put into my job gone with the wind. Do the leaders think about me as they fight for power?

What breaks my heart is that all the leaders who have forced us into this kind of life have it all. They don’t have to worry about their jobs, salaries, food, rent or a warm bed to sleep in.

While we wallow in emotional and physical pain they become richer every day. They don’t have to feel the pain of a parent who is not sure of what will happen to the children. While the leaders are on holiday and surrounded by armed guards, our brothers and sisters engage in battles with police and are lucky if they are not injured or killed.

Do the leaders take time to wonder what if the injured or killed children were theirs?

Do our leaders really care about us? Does it bother them that the little salary we gladly wait for to get us through the month might not be there any more?

What do they benefit when they influence young people and other Kenyans to hate one another? Have they seen all the children that sleep in the cold every night with tears flowing down their cheeks and wondering what mistake they made to deserve the torture?

If I had children I would ban them from watching our leaders talk on TV. For instead of being role models they have become a bad influence and a disgrace to Kenyans.

Our leaders’ conduct has left a deep wound in my heart and those of many other Kenyans.

Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

Hope for peace will never wane

So many things have happened but, I believe, Kenyans have not lost hope for peace.

So many have been displaced, so many are sick and helpless and so many have been abandoned by their loved ones, but there is still hope.

For over 40 years, we have toiled building and laying a firm foundation for our nation.

We are now spending less time and energy to destroy the fruits of hard work.

Let us fight for our rights in a peaceful way.

May we one day wake up and find an azure blue sky reflecting peace, tranquillity and prosperity. That is the Kenya we all dream of.

La famine à l'horizon 2008
"La population du Kenya risque de connaître la famine dans les mois à venir si la crise politique persiste", note le quotidien de Nairobi Daily Nation. Selon un rapport pour la sécurité alimentaire, l'instabilité politique actuelle et les précipitations insuffisantes cette année dans certaines régions du pays risquent de compromettre le fragile équilibre agricole que le Kenya avait réussi à instaurer. L'insuffisance alimentaire se fait déjà sentir, et les prix grimpent. Par peur de l'inflation et de la pénurie, les consommateurs des villes s'approvisionnent en masse et stockent le maïs transformé en farine.

Pour le Programme alimentaire mondial des Nations unies (PAM), il y a encore suffisamment de maïs, qui est l'aliment de base, pour nourrir la population pendant la première partie de l'année 2008, mais c'est au second semestre que la baisse de production devrait se faire sentir. Depuis le début de la crise, 20 % du maïs planté, soit 300 000 tonnes, n'a pas été récolté. Ce taux pourrait atteindre 70 % si la situation politique ne s'améliore pas rapidement. La violence qui a suivi le résultat des élections du 27 décembre 2007 a en effet obligé plus de 250 000 familles à quitter leurs terres et cesser leurs activités. Aujourd'hui, les grains de maïs pourrissent dans les entrepôts.

Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

Interests of the citizenry must come first

Experts are still grappling with the daunting task of quantifying the collective damage to the economy over the last three weeks of post-election violence. Hundreds of lives have been lost and property destroyed on a scale never been witnessed in this country since independence.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced from their homes and are now living in deplorable conditions in refugee camps in their own country. Thousands more have crossed international borders to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.

Again, we have never had such a huge number of people seeking refuge outside the country.

As a media house, we have been consistent and passionate in calling upon leaders across the political divide to put the interest of the country and citizenry ahead of their political ambitions. We have urged them to come together to save this country from the wasteful conflict that has been gathering momentum since the disputed presidential election results were announced.

As we report elsewhere in this newspaper, our leaders either do not appreciate or seem to grasp the magnitude of the human suffering caused by fighting which is largely assuming ethnic overtones. The result is mass destitution as once thriving rural economies have been wiped out in just three weeks.

The situation on the ground should be enough to jolt political leaders out of their hardline stances and move to quickly resolve their differences that are holding the country to ransom. In addition to the traumatising of large sections of the population–children and women bearing the brunt of it all–the bad blood between communities will require more than a round table conference of the adversaries to resolve. And it is doubtful whether conventional economic methods can conclusively put into figures the losses incurred by farmers and small and medium-sized businesses in the trouble spots across the country. What is evident is that it will take a long time before full recovery is realised.

Rift Valley Province, which has borne the worst of the violence, is a case in point. This extensive region is one the most productive in the country. Our food security is often dependent on it. It produces maize, wheat and other important food crops on a large scale.

Before the elections, fertile farms in areas like Makutano, Mumberes, Timboroa and Burnt Forest held large quantities of unharvested crops. The towns were robust commercial centres where hundreds of people were in gainful employment. Many of the farms have been destroyed and the market centres are deserted.

Thousands of people working on tea plantations and other large farms have lost their jobs and the wherewithal to fend for their families. In turn, these holdings are losing millions of shillings daily in lost production, further complicating the economic situation of the region.

Critical farming resources like tractors and harvesters have been destroyed in the mayhem. The infrastructure that makes the province attractive to both local and international investors is in ruins.

Ordinarily around this time, farmers would be tilling their fields in preparation for the rainy season. However, even for those with the necessary tools, there is the added burden of inflated fuel prices. The implication of all this on the food situation is indeed grave.

Clearly, this province and other strife-torn areas will need vast sums of money to restore their productivity to previous levels. For now, though, the most critical task is the restoration of peace.

Communities at war with each other will need to be brought together by a selfless leadership. This will entail taking a candidly hard look at outstanding grievances like the distribution of resources. This would signal the beginning of a process of trust and the healing the ugly wounds that have been opened by the violence. But all this is unlikely to happen as long as the current political standoff continues.

Quelques mots tires de la presse kenyane de ce jour...reflexion face a une dure realite...

May voice of reason rescue Kenya

When two bulls fight, goes the old saying; it is the grass that suffers. The grass here is the ordinary people of Kenya who have been reduced to expendable cannon fodder as the rich and powerful duel for political supremacy.

Voices of reason on both sides must move swiftly to isolate dangerous demagogues in their midst and drive a process that will lead Kenya back to peace, justice and national reconciliation.

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