Kenyans Demonstrate in Dallas TX
UPDATE January 13, 2008: NEW PROTESTS PLANNED ALL OVER USA
Channel 11, KTVT video of the march
January 2nd, 2008
kenyanobserver team
Approximately 100 Kenyans and supporters of Kenya living in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex gathered in downtown Dallas this morning for a peaceful protest rally.
This is in response to the widely disputed results of last week’s general elections in Kenya in which evidence of rigging tipped the results to the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki after an early lead by the opposition leader, Raila Odinga.
Protests were also planned in Washington DC (US), Houston TX(US), London England (UK) and Stockholm Sweden.
We will issue updates as we get them.
More pictures from the Dallas march:
Dallas Morning News coverage:
05:10 PM CST on Wednesday, January 2, 2008
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/world/stories/010308dnmetkenya.2f791e3.html
A group of 50 or so Kenyans from North Texas gathered Wednesday afternoon to pray for solidarity and peace as violence continues in the African nation in the wake of the country’s recent presidential election. “Kenya is going to become like another Rwanda,” said Steve Aseno, a businessman who helped organize Wednesday’s protest downtown. “Before things get better we are yet to see the worse nightmare,” said Mr. Aseno. The demonstrators carried signs asking for democracy in Kenya and held black, red, and green Kenyan flags. Many more held onto the hope that something could be done to restore democracy.“We’ve been given a president by force who never won the election,” said Stanley Kasayoka, an investment banker in Dallas.Incumbent president Mwai Kibaki claimed victory Sunday over his opponent, Riala Odinga, in what many believe was a rigged election. “Until the 11th hour, Riala had won the election,” said Mr. Kasayoka, referring to polls that indicated Mr. Odinga would win going into the elections.Now, local Kenyans are calling home and hearing stories of horror and accusations that police are emptying mortuaries to hide the evidence of atrocities. And many have heard stories from their families implicating police and sectarian leaders in widespread violence in the country.“I feel hopeless myself,” said Wilson Korir, who also helped organize Wednesday’s protest. He said his sister is forced to pay 50 shillings a day to sectarian leaders in order to remain safe and alive. Kenya has roughly 42 tribes, Mr. Korir explained, and the election fallout has brought about ethnic tensions. “It defeats democracy,” he said.Mr. Kasayoka and his wife, Beatrice K. Thomas, said their three children, ages 9, 12, and 15, are trapped in Nairobi, the capital, where they continued to live and study while Mr. Kasayoka did graduate work in New York in 2005. He’s since graduated and transferred to Dallas with his wife.The couple said their home in Kenya was burned down and the children cannot leave the capital since travel in and out has been stopped. Ms. Thomas says she’ll risk her life to get her children if peace is not restored soon.Protests were organized in New York, Minnesota, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania and Kansas as well as in Europe.There are an estimated 80,000 Kenyans in North Texas. The local Kenyan community is plans more demonstrations and information sessions this weekend.
Filed under: Around the US, NEWS HEADLINES, PICTURES, Texas | Tagged: 2007, Arlington, Channel 8, Dallas, diaspora, elections, kenya, Kenyans, wfaa
As long as Kenyans continue to be divided it does not matter where they speak from. Its a shame to see Kenyans on the street in US and UK demonstrating in support of their candidates something that is just bringing more blood shed in the country. Time for campaign is over guys, its time to speak peace, love and unity. No taking side at this time. Be patriotic and stop supporting one leader and blind folding your eyes not to seeing their faults. Kenyans will only show maturity by speaking in one tone and not being divided on tribal lines. Its very sad that even in the diaspora Kenyans are divided on tribal lines.
When you see the demonstrators who speak are either Luos or Kalenjins guys what is happening? Do know what message you continue to give the world? To make matters worse you still support one leader in your demonstration that is not how to call for peace. What will happen if the supporters of Kibaki also carried a demonstration? Just think about it and when you organize a demonstration think twice what kind of a demo you are leading is it for all Kenyans or just for selected few?
Long Live Kenya.. Peace, Love and Unity to all Kenyans. Justice be our shield and defender.
Regards concerned Kenyan
What keeps me amazed is the folly of Kenyan’s who continue to see this as Raila vs Kibaki, or Kikuyu vs Luo problem. To understand this issue well, read the constitution of kenya, read the news closely,look up your history and then read between the lines as your standard five teacher tought you.Then and only then make an informed decision.
I tend to agree with the 1st concerned Kenyan. This is really not an issue between Luos and Kikuyus. I support neither because the whole process was flawed. There should be no loss of life during an election everyone has a right to vote for who they choose. That is the whole point of having an election. Kenyans in diaspora should not protest on the streets with banners suggesting what there views are, but rather call for peace amongst all kenyans as a solution is sought through the right channels. Tribal retaliation was just an excuse to maim or show case hatred toward a particular group.
t is sad that we as Kenyans are still pointing fingers as to which tribe is being protected or which tribe is on the wrong. This is a time to call for peace we as Kenyans in the Diaspora condemn the violence in Keny and urge all the leaders to sit down together and come up with a solution.
My suggestion is as outlined by the constitution have an appeal to the High court to void the past election and have an independent commission oversea only the Presidential election.
or
Go to parliament and pass a vote of NO confidence in the govt.and force an election.
Thank you
It is sad that we as Kenyans are still pointing fingers as to which tribe is being protected or which tribe is on the wrong. This is a time to call for peace we as Kenyans in the Diaspora condemn the violence in Kenya and urge all the leaders to sit down together and come up with a solution.
My suggestion is as outlined by the constitution have an appeal to the High court to void the past election and have an independent commission oversea only the Presidential election.
or
Go to parliament and pass a vote of NO confidence in the govt.and force an election.
There should not be loss of life in an election.
Why is everybody beating the bush about this issue? The problem is the Kikuyu greed which has plunged our country into chaos. First they wanted to rig Raila out of Langata and when that failed, they panicked and started doing it irrationally and blatantly that even a fool could tell that it was rigging. We can not let it stand because if we do then there will be no election in the future that will not be rigged. Kenyans must stand firm and reclaim their democracy.
The solution is public protest and economic sabotage with targeted killings. Start with the Kisumu police boss. Kill her or somebody close to her. Then she will know the pain that families of the police shooting victims are feeling over their dead people. Next target Michuki and Kimunya’s families. Kill their son/daughter or grandson/daughter and people dear to them.
Target movement of goods. Target all heavy trucks going across the country. Make sure only food trucks go through Rift Valley. Target the oil tankers. Make sure none goes past Kangemi or Mombasa road. Blow them up. Target at least 10 of those tankers in one day. Target the KPC. This may be difficult because of security but an attempt must be made. Make life miserable enough for everybody including the Kikuyus who think that it is all good because it is in the nyumba. They have to understand that Kenya as we know it will is no more and somebody has to take responsibility for it. This solution will be felt more by the people who own businesses than the poor. It will create a discord among the rich and they will start pointing fingers at each other.
In the mean time KILA MTU ARUDI KWAO!
As it has been before, people who dont want to work hard for their lives complain of being victimised. The Luos and the Kaleos cant force their idiology to anybody. They should wake up and work hard if they want prosper. Don’t expect anybody to work hard and watch you take it away. Instead of using violence to attain your goals, maybe you should use your brain. They complain that food is being blocked from getting to their affected areas and yet they burned all the food stored in sillos for their benefits.
WAKE UP AND WORK HARD!!!!
Kikuyu pple need to grow up and realise that Kenya is made up of all tribes that exist there.Kibaki is old and he has lived his life. Lucy needs to be transfered to Mathare hospital.Kikuyu pple in general need to stop mkono mrefu.State hse needs to be disinfected. Thank you.
It seems that many people have remained backward despite leaving Kenya in pursuit of more knowledge. Why would demonstrators be suppotive of one candidate based on the tribe they come from? That type of demonstartion is not representative of all Kenyans…and with such events, the invitation should be extended to everyone so we can all have a forum that is united.
Luo’s should grow up and stop this nonsense that Kibaki rigged elections. How come Raila declared himself president even before votes were counted. Guys learn to work hard hard and stop relying on a war monger who promises everyone heavens.The day Nyanza will get rid of Raila Odinga thats when even the elite will start using their heads in that community. Odinga dynasty must end and his downfall began on sunday. Shameless people bringing their Villageness to the western countries in the name of democracy. The world knows what Kibaki has done for Kenya amid 5 years of sabotage by Odinga.People think hard before drawing conclusions.
i think our leaders have lost it, be it kibaki, raila or Ruto, who said kibaki is the best and who said raila is for all. whoever talks of kikuyu being thieves should stop being tribal , its not about kikuyu or luos is about the leaders. i love my country is the best place to be lets protect the good kenya we have lived and that we know. Long live KENYA may peace reign.
shame on our ……leaders, they dont even deserve the word, Very well put and in the forefront of the neo-colonialists are the EU and Britain in particular. They want a tight grip on Kenya which our leaders had a while ago shaken off when Narc came to power in 2002. They are not happy about that but are now clapping on seeing us butchering one another. GOD SAVE OUR COUNTRY KENYA, SO THAT WE STOP SEEING EACH OTHER FROM A TRIBAL PERSPECTIVE. AND THE MEDIA CANNOT ESCAPE BLAME FOR WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
I am in Kenya and even though i have gone out one time or another,i reside in Kenya.We all know that when Odinga was given the opportunity to become the first President of Kenya,he gave it to Kenyatta,a Kikuyu,then life became so misserable to the common Kenyan because of the missrule and theft of public lands and many more things.Then Kenyans,led by Odinga and Raila his son started the fight for the second liberation of the country not from the white or foreign colonialists but from black colonialists.
Then you know it as it is so clear in the records of history that during this time Kenya has been fighting for the second liberation,there are people who were in the government including Kibaki as the vice President then,that were so opposed to the change and history has it that Kibaki compared the dictatorial rule with a Mugumo tree and the fight for liberation as a razor blade when he said that those fighting were like someone cuting a Mugumo tree with a razor blade and he predicted that it will fail.When it didnt fail,Raila gave him the next opportunity after Jaramogi had given the first to Kenyatta and he became the third President.Now he was to go home and it was spoken in the ballot box,but he is forcing the people of Kenya that he must rule them again for 5years when they have said no.I dont know where people find Raila in this context if Raila didn’t steal votes nor did he tell people to fight.Further more the media is burned from broadcasting the ODM ralies and the Police is everywhere making sure that they don’t have a chance to speak to the people.Will there be a time when selfishness will get out of the heads of Kikuyus and the like minded who dont know even how to identify a problem when it is such obvious.Let Kibaki cary the yoke he made.Raila didnt steal for him the votes for people to tell Raila to talk to those who are angered by Kibaki’s acts.
I totally reject the people surrounding Kibaki we need to be finished with Kibaki himself because he is still taking us back to the dark times beore 1992.Such minds like Kibakis should not be allowed to exist in this space where we are competing with other countries in developments and many more things.
i am so disapointed by the Kibakis of this country
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The luo community needs to wake up and take responsibilby for their lives and quit finding scapegoats. Raila is a hateful propagandist, he is an evil triablist, he has done nothing for the Kibera slum or Nyanza, yet you all follow him like sheep. How about you all start by getting your priorities straight, quit buying fancy cars and dressing all fancy when It is a show that has the rest of us laughing our heads off. Become more enterprising not everyone should be employed in an office job, or be a professor, a doctor and engineer etc.. get your hands dirty like the rest of us and work. We pity you all that as educated as you all are you fell for Raila’s tricks. The man is an international begger and if you all gave him your hard earned dollars with the promise of high paying jobs in Kenya you all should have known better. Since he guranteed you all he would win at all costs, including rigging ask for a refund. Also, tell him to sell his hummer, he is not impressing anyone. He can use the funds to help the people of Kibera. Time to wake up and grow up guys, while you stew with hate the rest of us are moving on. Find a more moderate leader and the rest of us will offer our support, not Raila. 50 women and children burned alive in a church and not a word of an apology. The man has no soul, evil to the bone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Luos wake up and smell the coffee
Odinga’s ambitions know no boundary and he is ready to sacrifice lives to achieve his ambition
For the second time now Odinga now ( firstwas in 1982) in his quest to gain power by any means Odinga has caused deaths of numerous kenyans
Remember last time he started the mess then took of to Uganda wearing a woman’s dress.
How can anyone trust this man to lead, a country? this mans greed knows no limits,
He and his fathr also conned the luos out of a molasses factoty and sugar factory among many others
It beats me how the luos keep following him blindly
It’s not about tribes. It’s about democracy. Love, peace and unity are all wonderful sentiments but people of all ethnicities cast their votes and watched the ECK rig it in favour of Kibaki and the PNU. I’m half Kikuyu and I never thought about tribes until I went to get my ID card and was asked which tribe I thought I belonged to. I wanted to see Kenya proceed to democratic state and was prepared to accept whoever the leader was. I feel robbed! I also think that those people who are trying to depolitize this situation by calling for peace, love and unity need to go to Kibera to hear what the people are saying there. They will get some lessons in democracy. Peace, love and unity were the rallying calls of Kenyatta and Moi. What does this mean? It’s just empty rhetoric. Kenya’s institutions have broken down thanks to the endemic corruption which plagues it and now the price is being paid not by you but by the poor who cant come here and tell us how they feel. The only way to resolve this is by admitting the elections were rigged and to attempt to rebuild the electoral commission and courts, for starters. Back to the drawing board. None of the so-called leaders are prepared to face that. It’s just pure ambition. Im all for peace love and unity but I am also a realist. Kenya’s institutions are beyond repair. This situation calls for thoughtfulness. Calling for peace love and unity is just empty rhetoric.
Atheneum, I was in Kenya this past summer and my husband and I went to renew our Kenyan IDs, the forms asked about the deepest part of the tribal village we were from. I was in shock. However, it matters in Kenya, we have to begin facing reality. Why were those 50 women and children burnt to death in Eldoret? Because they were kikuyus, so yes, lets not be blind, it matters! You don’t know that the ECK rigged for Kibaki so don’t state it as a fact. That is your opinion, not a statement of fact. The best thing is for the opposition to stay in the opposition and keep the government on its toes and kenyans will get good services. Raila and Kibaki cannot work in a unity government, they hate each others guts, there would be zero progress, just 5 years of the blame game (of course Raila is the champion of blaming everyone but himself). Kibaki will not step down, the kikuyus have seen what was in store for them. If the volience hadn’t happened the pressure for him to step down would be on, not any more he has the best head to steer the ship. A relection is a waste of time, a run off Kibaki wins, hands down, he gets the voters of Kalonzo and a bunch who’ve seen Raila and ODM’s true colors. The best place for them is the opposition. From here the institutions can be rebuilt to ensure we never repeat what happened. It is a very delicate situation, but Kibaki cannot step down these people planned to slaughter the kikuyus but god said no, they are his children! What has Raila done for Kibera it’s his constituency, or Nyanza for that fact? People need to think and quit following this man.
am saddened by these Kikuyu’s, talking insanity in this forum. C’mon guys luos with rest of Kenyans voted kibaki in 2002 he failed and was voted out in 2007. he should go home and rest.Those of you who continue to support him, let me tell you Kenyans cannot get kibaki but they will target the nearest Kikuyu’s they can find and they will suffer, just because Kikuyu’s thinks Kenya is theirs to rule shame on you.
There will be no peace in Kenya i tell you and the long impact is the ordinary Kikuyu’s will suffer the most as they will never be liked in many parts of the country for generations to come, is that what you want for kids, leave a hate legacy..get your senses back even Githongo and right minded Kikuyu’s know the truth, talk to your families and let them join rest of Kenyans in this fight for democracy and respect for constitution. Kikuyu’s are now refugees i guess that makes alot of u happy here in this forum, come up with solution…kibaki must step down, if he thinks he won as he claims lets go for re-election.
GOD BLESS KENYA AND THOSE FIGHTING FOR DEMOCRACY IN KENYA NOTHIN COMES EASY
To you collins jaluo I say, keep in mind that the kikuyus are not scared of anybody. You think taht only the kiuks will suffer. Let me remind you that nobody wins in a war. We will not sit and wach the luos kill our people. Retaliation is must. We drove the mzungus out of the country, we sure can eliminate the luos. Bring it on.
I still can’t understand why some Kenyans are still insisting that the current situation was brought about by Raila or Kibaki!Did these kenyans vote?and if they did,do they feel cheated by the ECK?The ECK failed to sort out the irregularities addressed before announcing the results(and this is their sole duty)so how can we rule out rigging in such a case?All of us need to agree that the results were rigged and work together to ensure justice is done!!!However,it is very hard for Kenyans to work together because 1 or 2 communities are happy with what the ECK did since they figure it favoured their own…..If Kenyans don’t speak in one voice,people are left to device their own ways of addressing the injustices since people are hurting!!!unfortunately,some people have resorted to killing each other(which is not right at all) as they express their anger.So the day the 1 or 2 communities will accept that the ECK wronged Kenyans and agreed to work with the other Kenyans for a legal solution,will be the day that peace and the trust that existed among communities will be restored!
The current situation has also brought out salient issues which i dont think can be sorted by Kibaki or Raila but by Kenyans themselves.For example,how would you explain the forced circumcision of Luos by Kikuyus?It means that some communities have issues with the non-circumcision of the Luos!and does that explain why they don’t see Raila as Leader?If certain communities view circumcision as an important transitional ritual for all Kenyans,then it should be made law!!!just the same way you cant go to University without going through High school!!These are some of the issues that we need to address as Kenyans,not as tribes,to be able to be a united nation once more.
Dear, Winnie; I wish all the Kenyans had your mind. Unfortunately that is not the case right now. I live in kenya and in one of the most devastated areas. Raila has not come out so far to denounce the violence that is going on in our areas. He is using ruto to fight his war. The kaleos did this before and the ever forgiving kiuks we forgot all about it. I think its time for them to know the price of a war. “DEAD INOCENT PEOPLE” just like the women an childeren they burned in a church. They {raila and ruto) have chosen to devide people. “ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE” Time is up for those who wish bloodshed for kenyans. It will be sheed in the name of self defence. I will not watche ma family being dispalced again. Someone will have to pay. The devil (Raila and Ruto) shall be defeated.
Luo Community Way Forward
Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:33:44 -0800 (PST)
I have been soul searching which way forward as a Luo community. The just concluded election as a community we organized and supported Raila as we have always done. But I knew things won’t go well when Raila used the tribal card as his main campaign tool where he turned other tribes against Kikuyu in order to defeat Kibaki. I found that irresponsible because at any time it could bring bloodshed.
I am from Ugenya constituency and most constituents wanted Stephen Okoth because Orengo once elected stays in Nairobi never comes back. So we wanted somebody who will be with us as a community. The Raila machine rigged Orengo in and that was the end of the people’s choice. Raila did not talk about rigging then why is he speaking about it now. When Orengo went against Raila he was rigged out but when he supported Raila he was rigged in. So I have come to realize that Raila is not about justice or democracy or common man he is about power.
I think it is time as a Luo community we start supporting another family we have been supporting the Ondinga family for over 50 years but we have nothing to show for it.. Every government comes along they rub it the wrong way and we had to stay in the opposition all this time. When Kenyatta offered Ondinga the Vice Presidency he continued to attack the government and even went ahead and started his own party when he was just a heart beat away from the presidency and I think that was very stupid. Kenyatta appointed Moi and Moi was an example of what Odinga would have done, he remained royal to Kenyatta and he finally got his reward. After Moi became president he invited Odinga to join his government. Odinga started bragging that Moi could not lead without him. Moi heard it and dropped him like a hot potato.
When Raila said tosha to Kibaki all he needed was to continue to be royal to Kibaki and probably when Wamalwa passed away he would have been made a VP but just like his father he started attacking the government from inside and he was eventually kicked out.. Now Kibaki would not want to hear of him in the government because he is a headache.
What has been polarizing even among us as a community without knowing is that the Odinga family has been portraying a communist image, a man of the people or the people’s president but the family is as capitalistic as any one can get. The fact remain the family is one of the richest in Kenya through the gas business, entrepreneurship which they have failed to lead us into. I was surprised when Raila informed us that we can grow coffee in Nyanza. I asked myself after 40 years since every other community who could grow coffee has grown it is the time Raila is talking about it?
Fellow Wajaluo it is time to give another family a chance, the Odinga family might have charisma but they don’t have the wisdom to lead us as a community where we want to go. Look at Oburu he sleeps for 5 years and then get elected almost unopposed as if he owns Bondo constituency just because his name end with Ondinga. Now compare that with all the work Tuju did for Rarienda but because his name does not end with Ondinga he was thrown out or rigged out.
We have also to think again on how we conduct ourselves as a community, since independence the Kikuyus have change their royalty from Kenyatta, Matiba and then Kibaki. We are the only people who have been stuck with one family. If we have been held by a spell we need to get rid of it, we cannot keep backing the same family for a whole century. When Matiba was rigged by Moi in 1992 did the Kikuyu people riot and loot and burn Murang’a? No. In 1997 when Moi rigged Kibaki did the Kikuyu in Nyeri riot loot and burn businesses? No. We have to think again and abandon this type of leadership which radicalize the youth with nothing to offer. We are suffering now in Kisumu because most of the stores are either looted or burned now who is going to suffer the Kikuyu the Kisii or Luo? Jaluo. The Kisii too have done away with Nyachae they have changed their loyalty. The Kalenjin have changed their loyalty from Moi they have refused to stick with his sons so we need to wake up.
It is time to support a progressive leader who people can disagree with without being stoned who can lead Luo people in doing business, in doing farming and in wise politics. By wise politics I mean a person who knows when to oppose and when to cooperate. Opposing all the time is stupid and retrogressive.
Finally,there is someone who have the guts to speak the truth. I aint smat but I know that justiceto all is the truth. Bloodsheed will not work. It’s time people realize what works and what does not. Peolple are getting killed for no reason. Simply because Raila and Ruto have decided to have people die for their ambisitions. It is time for all peolple to reject the evil powers and live as a community Once again. If people don’t wake up, there will be alot of dead INOCENT people at the end. Do your part and preach peace.
I am wondering what the Community here thinks about the Hearings that have taken place in Washington during the past week regarding what the US should do in Kenya?
Lets not wast a lot of time solving the issue when we kwow how and who propagated the violence we are witnesing.I share words of H.E MWAI KIBAKI that this violence was planned.The Manjimbo and anti Kikuyu campaign are the two main tools which has bore the blood leting we are witnessing.Personaly I hold Ruto,Kosgey ,Nyong’o and Raila accountable.Try to find a CONFIDENTIAL ODM pool strategy documents(If u have not seen it I can send to you if you send me message to annrufus@yahoo.com)and u will know how,who and why we see what we are witnesing.
Kenyans r been made to share disillusions of power hungry people who pretend to have the wishes of people at heart but they carry the wishes of their foreigh masters and business associates.As much as Kibaki administration had its weakness its only those who do not want to see can say it did not uplift us even a tiny bit.To some the livelihood of kenyans had to some extent improved even the so called opposers for the sake of it.
Kenya should know the truth,and the truth is that foreign countries want to use ODM secure the lost tenders.
My advise is
To Odm:why dont you let kenya be self reliant we create wealth which even when u are not in power you can feel it.
To the govt,
Why dont you evenly distribute government appointments since in all tribes we have able people to handle any available docket.
To all kenyan leaders:
Show some respect and loyalty to those in leadership since when you dont do this your tribesmen stands to suffer.
To foreign countries:Why did you have to allow some senior personalities and institutions of your government to be partial or take one side during campaign and even heavely funded the opposition if you had nothing you expected and now ur disillusioned you see the option left is to say “it will not be business as usual”?