02/01/2008 19:14 – (SA)
source: News24
Johannesburg – Kenyans currently living in South Africa will stage a protest on Tuesday next week against “irregular” presidential elections that saw incumbent Mwai Kibaki return to his seat as the East African country’s president.
Tony Ouma, a Kenyan based in SA who is one of the protest’s organisers, said on Wednesday: “More than 100 people will march to the Kenyan Embassy in Pretoria to protest against the deteriorating political situation in the East African country.”
The march (which was scheduled for Thursday) has been postponed “because we need to get a permit to stage a picket protest, as we are in a foreign land,” Ouma said.
“We are going to march to the embassy in protest against recent police killings and vote rigging of the presidential elections,” he said.
A dispute over last week’s presidential ballot – sparked by what many Kenyans viewed as discrepancies in the counting process – has triggered Kenya’s worst urban unrest in 25 years, claiming more than 300 lives.
On Tuesday, at least 35 children and adults sheltering in a church near the western town of Eldoret were burnt alive by a mob in one of the worse incidents since the December 27 elections.
Kibaki “should step down”
President Kibaki, who was sworn in on Sunday after beating his opposition challenger Raila Odinga in elections split on tribal lines, is currently under fire from the country’s minority groups after claims he had rigged the polls.
Ouma said Kibaki, who is largely supported by the country’s largest tribe – the Kikuyu, should step down as the country’s president since he was not elected by the people.
“There is evidence presented on international television and the European Commission has indicated very clearly that there were malpractices.
“Kibaki must resign so that the real winner, Odinga, a Luo, can be inaugurated,” he said.
He said the rigging of votes was an attempt by the Kikuyu tribe to maintain its superior status in defiance of the wishes of the people of Kenya.
“There are 42 tribes in Kenya – this protest pits Kenyans against Kikuyu,” he said.
Tensions
Ouma, who comes from the Luo tribe, but now runs a clothing business in central Johannesburg, said tensions between the Kikuyu tribe (Kenya’s traditional ruling class) and other Kenyan ethnic groups were very high at the moment.
“These tensions have been in existence for a long time, but the current political climate has definitely worsened the relations.
“Kenya’s police are currently killing people who are engaging in peaceful protests in Kenya – just to protect the Kikuyu tribe,” he said.
For the same reason, Ouma said Kenyans from the Kikuyu tribe currently residing in South Africa would not be participating in next Tuesday’s protest.
“We did not invite them,” he said.
Filed under: NEWS HEADLINES | Tagged: cape town, capetown, joburg, kenya, Kenyans, march, namibia, protest, rally, South Africa
Here is a practical solution. Leaders of all armed forces get together.
1. First order of business: Arrest Michuki(under house arrest)
2. Get Kibaki & Raila on the table.
3. The armed forces Leaders issue a guarantee to protect Kibaki and his family.
4. Instate Raila President(chosen by the people)& back him up 100%. SAVE KENYAN LIVES.
Facts:
a) Everybody knows Kibaki has no stomach for violence.
b) Other people around him engineered the rigging(Advise from Moi before he fled the country to Germany)
c)Michuki panicked, ordered police to start shooting to protect a small group of corrupt individuals who believe they will be vulnerable once Raila(who said he will let justice prevail) is President
d)Even if Michuki kills so many Kenyans, PNU problems have not started.
e) PNU with affiliate parties are HUNGRY waiting to see who gets what position(Including Vice-Presidency). Chaos starts within that PNU party.
f) With a party divided, Kibaki will be pressured again to put his backyard people and then Kibaki will be seen as someone who cannot be trusted even within his own party.
g) Thats when all hell will break loose. Exposure on how they rigged will now become public record.
h) You see, Kibaki is just a pawn at the convenience of the likes of Michuki.
Everybody agrees Kenya is bigger than any us. I apeal to the Kenya Armed Forces to convene and make this RIGHT.
Kenya cannot be semi-Military/civilian GOVERNMENT.
Kibaki is just an economist and at this point he cannot work his magic on the economy. People have to feel free to move around, SAY what they want and once the confidence on the economy is felt then spend as much money as the want thus enabling Kibaki to work his magic.
But with civil unrest, not even the military can create an atmosphere that will enable Kibaki’s Genius to work.
Too many variables need to be in place for “Kazi iendeleee..” to even begin realization.
The other alternative, and I hope and pray it doesn’t come to it, is
a MILITARY COUP. This will at least save lives as the current condition worsens. BUT AT WHAT COST?
THIS IS REALITY FOLKS. WAKE UP TO IT.
1. Are you aware that there are Kikuyus who voted for ODM and would have nothing to do with Kibaki?
2. Do you realize that by not inviting Kikuyus you are sinking yourself into the ongoing cancerous tribal mentality?
Pao notes,
Tom Ouma, majority of the net/digital generation have mixtures of both bantu and nilote blood. Lucky you if you are a pure-bred nilote. Just be on the know; you are a minority.
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 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