Thursday, December 16, 2010

Mars Group Kenya Updates: Muthaura, Kenyatta, Ali face 5 counts, while Ruto,Kosgey and Sang face 4 counts of criminal Charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague – full details of the charges.

From: Mars Group Kenya <mails@marsgroupkenya.org>
Date: Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 10:39 AM



Summary

Francis Kirimi Muthaura, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta and Mohammed Hussein Ali face 5
counts of criminal Charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague

CRIMES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT WHICH MUTHAURA, KENYATTA AND ALI
HAVE COMMITTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 58(2) OF THE ROME STATUTE

                                            Francis Kirimi Muthaura
                                            Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta
                                            Mohammed Hussein Ali

                                                        Count 1
 Murder constituting a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(a) and 25(3)(a) or
(d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 2
Deportation or forcible transfer of population constituting a crime against
humanity (Articles 7(1)(d) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 3
Rape and other forms of sexual violence constituting a crime against humanity
(Articles 7(1)(g) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 4
Other inhumane acts constituting a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(k) and
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                       Count 5
Persecution as a crime against humanity (Articles 7(1)(h) and 25(3)(a) or (d) of
the Rome Statute)

Read Full details of Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's Application on Muthaura,
Kenyatta and Ali before the trial Chamber here:
http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=2556




William Samoei Ruto, Henry Kiprono Kosgey and Joshua Arap Sang face 4 counts of
criminal charges of crimes against Humanity at the Hague

CRIMES WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT WHICH MUTHAURA, KENYATTA AND ALI
HAVE COMMITTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE 58(2) OF THE ROME STATUTE

                                         William Samoei Ruto,
                                         Henry Kiprono Kosgey
                                         Joshua Arap Sang


                                                       Count 1
Murder constituting a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(a) and Article
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                      Count 2
Deportation or forcible transfer of population constituting a crime against
humanity (Article 7(1)(d) and Article 25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                     Count 3
Torture constituting a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(f) and Article
25(3)(a) or (d) of the Rome Statute)

                                                     Count 4
Persecution as a crime against humanity (Article 7(1)(h) and Article 25(3)(a) or
(d) of the Rome Statute)


Read Full details of Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo's Application on Ruto,
Kosgey and Sang before the trial Chamber here:
http://blog.marsgroupkenya.org/?p=2550

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Mars Group Kenya Updates: Kenya President attempts to repeal ICC Rome Statute after ICC names his key Government officials and ministers as suspects of crimes against humanity

From: Mars Group Kenya <mails@marsgroupkenya.org>
Date: Wed, Dec 15, 2010 at 6:16 PM



Kenya President attempts to repeal ICC Rome Statute after ICC names his key
Government officials and ministers as suspects of crimes against humanity

Mwai Kibaki – let Justice be done though the heavens fall.

Kenya must comply with the Rome Statute by cooperating with the ICC, and
cooperation extends to making arrests of the Masterminds behind the Post
Election Violence which killed 1,133 Kenyans and displaced over half-a-million
citizens in less than 60 days. We need to be clear to the unelected Grand
Coalition Government that there is no issue of choice here.

Reports in the Press today say that President Mwai Kibaki has attempted to give
comfort of office to the masterminds of murder, rape, arson and displacement of
kenyans after their public naming by the Chief Prosecutor of the International
Criminal court. That Mwai Kibaki could say - "stay put" is disturbing to say
the least. Kenyans are not idiots to be joked around with by war lord
politicians whose vision is one of greed and ruling by the sword. Kenya is a
Democracy, where the Rule of Law must prevail at all times.

The Kenya Government has taken Zero steps to establish a criminal Justice forum
for the post elections victims. The Kenya Government has no color of right to
interfer with the default option of the International Criminal Court that was
prescribed by the Presidents' own commission of inquiry into the Post election
violence. Mwai Kibaki accepted the Waki (CIPEV) report and now must live with it
or Mwai Kibaki must Stand Impeached as a defender of Impunity for Crimes against
Humanity, including rape, Murder, arson and forced displacements of his fellow
Citizens. Raila Odinga needs to make his own personal statement as Prime
Minister as to whether he agrees with President Mwai Kibaki's response to the
naming of the 6 mastermind suspects of crimes against humanity commited in
Kenya.

We wish to remind Mwai Kibaki that any attempts to derail the ICC will result in
a direct indictment against him as an individual who will bear the greatest
responsibility for his troops – in this case loose talking Members of
Parliament, including Cabinet Ministers and senior Government officials who
appear to making statements on his behalf.

85% of Kenyans according to National poll taken this week - want suspects of
these henious crimes taken to the Hague to face trial and justice. The Kenyans
who were polled knew that the 6 suspects were high ranking government officials
(and only one is a private citizen).  We certainly do not want them serving us
in any capacity.  Who do they speak to now? Whom do they purport to speak for?
Kibaki should take responsibility and sack Muthaura, Uhuru Kenyatta, Henry
Kosgei, and Major Ali as post Master General. Failing to act and continuing this
irresponsible behaviour can only be construed to mean that Kibaki condones the
killing of Kenyan Citizens.

Kibaki should also be aware of Article 27 and 28 of the Rome Statute and that he
could be facilitating the cover up of Crimes against Humanity.  " Mr
President, you have a sacred constitutional duty towards facilitating justice
for all in Kenya.  You must not fail Kenyans.  If you do, then you should be
regarded as bearing the greatest responsibility for what happened in Kenya in
January and February 2008, and face the Hague on the crime of obstructing
justice. There is no such thing as power without responsibility."

Kenyans have taken a decision to support law abiding officials of Government
rather than Law breaking Senior politicians and Government Officials. Kenyans
are tired of individuals who believe, because of some bogus birthright, prior or
current position, that they can act with Impunity, commit crimes in Kenya and
get away with it. Kenya has changed. The sign of the times is that days are
numbered for these kind of people in Kenya. They have no support among the
Kenyan Public. We the people have said let Justice be done though the heavens
fall.

Mars Group Kenya.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Youth give PM raft of demands

The Standard
Published on 24/11/2010

By LUCIANNE LIMO

The youth now want 30 per cent representation in national decision-making organs and slots in the new commissions established under the new Constitution.

Youth leaders tabled a raft of demands they want done for them to exploit their potentials during a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday. They also want the Government to establish an employment database.

"There is severe unemployment among the youth and low representation in decision-making organs. We are demanding inclusion and participation in governance," said Emmanuel Ngongo, co-ordinator Youth Enterprise and Sustainability.

The leaders also urged the Government to revamp the Youth Fund and offer them 'friendly' health services.

"Lack of access to quality healthcare has increased the cases of HIV and Aids infections among the youth," said Ngongo, adding that only a few have access to antiretroviral drugs and contraceptives.

However, the PM advised the youth to work out their dreams diligently.

"Whatever you want to be, whether a doctor, engineer, lawyer, athlete, soccer star, businessperson, president or prime minister, you have to dream about it and then work hard to achieve the dream," he advised. He said the new Constitution recognises the rights of the youth.

Skills vs Labour market

The youth leaders also complained about the local education system.

"We recommend that the Government improves the quality and relevance of higher education and align graduate skills to the current labour market," said Ngongo in a statement.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Paul Otuoma regretted that 36 per cent of national population are youth between ages 15 to 35 who are either unemployed or underpaid.

Publics Works Minister Dalmas Otieno expressed optimism that the ideas fronted by the youth will be incorporated to development of the country

See
http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/InsidePage.php?id=2000023216&catid=159&a=1

Youth give PM raft of demands

The Standard
Published on 24/11/2010

By LUCIANNE LIMO

The youth now want 30 per cent representation in national decision-making organs and slots in the new commissions established under the new Constitution.

Youth leaders tabled a raft of demands they want done for them to exploit their potentials during a meeting with Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Wednesday. They also want the Government to establish an employment database.

"There is severe unemployment among the youth and low representation in decision-making organs. We are demanding inclusion and participation in governance," said Emmanuel Ngongo, co-ordinator Youth Enterprise and Sustainability.

The leaders also urged the Government to revamp the Youth Fund and offer them 'friendly' health services.

"Lack of access to quality healthcare has increased the cases of HIV and Aids infections among the youth," said Ngongo, adding that only a few have access to antiretroviral drugs and contraceptives.

However, the PM advised the youth to work out their dreams diligently.

"Whatever you want to be, whether a doctor, engineer, lawyer, athlete, soccer star, businessperson, president or prime minister, you have to dream about it and then work hard to achieve the dream," he advised. He said the new Constitution recognises the rights of the youth.

Skills vs Labour market

The youth leaders also complained about the local education system.

"We recommend that the Government improves the quality and relevance of higher education and align graduate skills to the current labour market," said Ngongo in a statement.

Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Paul Otuoma regretted that 36 per cent of national population are youth between ages 15 to 35 who are either unemployed or underpaid.

Publics Works Minister Dalmas Otieno expressed optimism that the ideas fronted by the youth will be incorporated to development of the country


Multi Stakeholder Change Process? My Perspective

December 5, 2010

The just concluded Inspiring Change Event in Nairobi (December 1-3 2010) was a great learning opportunity for me from the old to the new thinking of doing things. I have related the event to my personal experience for growth. I was part of the organizing team as well as a participant and trying to understand some concepts behind my past frustrations in dealing with humans and from a facilitator's point of view to improve on my skills. To a great extend, I am glad I participated in the event and I can only describe it in a few words…. It was life changing.


I lead a couple of multi stakeholder youth processes in Kenya and the larger Africa. Two of the networks deal with Creating Sustainable Livelihoods for the youth and the other on opening up an open society with democratic ideals using governance based approaches. The experience has been challenging and stimulating at the same time. Challenges bring out the best and worse in us though sometimes resultant actions can be catastrophic with reflexes from the partners involved.


In my evolving experience, I used to see partners as targets or beneficiaries of my facilitation. From the Nairobi event, I now realize the mistakes I committed early in my practice attributed to the failures in achieving ultimate impact. It is discriminatory in nature to operate from a higher moral ground when you are expecting ultimate results from your multi-stakeholder partners.


Two years ago in my quest to support the unity of purpose of the Youth Voices in Kenya, I have faced myriads of challenges. From the knowledge of communities of practice, I knew it is important for all the stakeholder to feel appreciated and consulted at all levels when making decisions. After being called upon by a leading organization to organize for a national youth process, the participants in the process resolved that they needed to transform into a national movement. The Lead Organization frustrated my efforts in creating a platform for equal participation and viral effect to become a people driven process. Such experiences can make one give up in the quest to support those who feel powerless.


Driven by values my resolve has been a passion to ensure I co-create a platform where the young generation will be consulted as equal partners in matters affecting them from local grassroots to the national and international level. I have modestly become influential both at the national and international platforms in matters Youth Development. This realization has pushed my resolve not to give up given the frustrations of the so called status quo beliefs entrenched in some young leaders and other stakeholders with responsibility to facilitate change processes.


I have had to change of tact and to ensure I go on with what my resolve pushes me. Recently we managed to bring government, youth leaders from various organizations, donor agencies and other partners to a dialogue table to objectively discuss issues affecting young people and agree on a framework for implementation that will ensure those issues are resolved.


We are now creating a Rapid Results Initiative for implementation with the equal participation of the stakeholders. This is a complex situation given the learning from the Inspiring Change Event in Nairobi. I have know it will be a very diffusive, diverse situation. Without using a systemic thinking, such a process will not be successful.   In concluding the event in Nairobi, we have seen a strong willingness by the African Facilitators to create the Change Alliance for Africa using perspectives unique to the developmental challenges bedeviling Africa today. We want to create a platform that will enable us learn from each other, exchange ideas support each other since the overarching goal is to make an Africa wide Movement of partners working together using externally self driven value systems to support the growth of our continent.


In the wake of doing things differently, the emerging forces are enabling us to connect, create a momentum for growth and sustain our uniting forces for development. This will only happen if we appreciate each other's work, learn from various tools and engineer an approach that will define a new Africa for all.


I believe after the Nairobi event, there has been new knowledge created and we need to manage it and create a platform for emerging approaches. It will be interesting to see how we manage to sustain the process of Change though political and economic realities show us that change has been resisted before, learning together, and reinforcing the need for democratic processes, the Change Alliance for Africa will enable a development focus discourse from the Global level connecting to the local for systemic impact.