A man admitted with serious burns lies covered in ointment at the Coast General Hospital, in Mombasa, Kenya, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008. Youths protesting against the outcome of the Dec. 27, 2007 presidential elections set him on fire. Kenyans ventured warily out in search of food on Tuesday after the post-election violence that had convulsed the country for four days generally calmed, but many shops remained shuttered and sporadic tribal violence continued. (AP Photo)

 

 

Contact Information:

 

The Kenya Council for Cultural Renewal, Inc

Non-profit Organization

P O Box 753

Kenilworth, NJ 07033

Email: kccrkenya@yahoo.com

Ph: 908-731-2411 / 732-841-5658

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kenyans In US Launch Major Relief Operation To Aid Kinsmen

February 28, 2008

 

 

Kenyan nationals in the United States have earmarked a major relief operation to send aids to their kinsmen affected by the bloody crisis back home.

 

In fact a major fundraising event has been scheduled for Sunday, March 9 2008 at the Somerset Miracle Center on 511 Central Ave, Plainfield, NJ 07060 at 2 PM. “Come pray for our country and help with your donations,” appealed Gicingiri David Muchiri. (Download Press Release)

 

In the wake of ethnic violence in Kenya, the world has witnessed gruesome pictures of human bloodshed in a once peaceful and stable nation. A series of violence, killings and property destruction has occurred in various parts of the county forcing over 300,000 to flee their homes and over 1000 killed.

 

“Words cannot express the horror of children being burnt alive and women gang raped to their death in broad daylight across the country. Yet every face you see has a story and a name of a father, a mother, a sister, or a brother, all victims of murderous neighbors and armed militias,” Muchiri said.

 

He noted that as Kenyans in the Diaspora, “it is time for us to come together to show support to our country and demand a halt to the killings. We are kindly appealing to all people of goodwill to donate whatever you can to the thousands displaced and homeless Kenyans in various camps in the country.”

 

Michiri furthers that “Thousands are in desperate need and you have a chance to help and make a difference in their lives. Though they may never have the privilege to thank you in person, your generosity will forever live in their hearts. Thank you for your prayers and support for a Peaceful resolution.”

 
Kenyans in US at a worship service

The Kenya council for cultural renewal is a non profit organization registered in New Jersey since 1999. Through the help of the Kenyan field partners, Mawaidha Consultants and by extension of the Red Cross Kenya, KCFCR has set up a fund to help alleviate the pain that is being experienced by the internally displaced in Kenya.

 

Muchiri said donations urgently needed at this time include canned food, clothes and shoes, beddings, blankets, tents, mosquito repellants, first aid kits, medicine & vitamins, soaps and toothpastes; shaving razors, feminine care products, toys, flashlight and batteries, and transistor radios.

 

He said donations can me made to :KCCR- Kenya Relief Fund at Bank of America: Routing/ABA # 021200339 Account # 38100224994. “Things that we take for granted may mean life and death for others. $100 Dollar donation will feed a family of five for a whole Month, $20 Dollars a mosquito net that will save a life, please show your generosity,” David appeals and adds that clothing donations should be in good and usable condition packed and ready for shipping.

 

The Kenyan assured the initiative is non-partisan and will not discriminate victims because of their ethnicity, region, religion or political affiliation. “To this effect, the fund will endeavor to deliver the relief to all affected communities as part of its contribution to national healing and reconciliation.”

 

Peace in sight in Kenya

 

Kenyans are briefing a sigh of relief when President Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader Odinga signed a deal to share political power after two months of bloody crisis. "With the signing of this agreement, we have opened a new chapter in our country," said Odinga. The deal puts an end to post elections crisis.

 

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan negotiated the power sharing agreement between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader which signals the end of months of bloody conflict, which have left more than 1000 dead and displaced about 600,000 people.

 

A landmark agreement was signed in Nairobi this Thursday afternoon as President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leaderRaila Odinga signed a power sharing treaty designed to end months of conflict that had erupted in Kenya over last December’s disputed elections. The agreement was reached after weeks of talks brokered by the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

 

 

The agreement was signed in front of an array of international diplomats and representatives of the Kenyan government and opposition as well as the chairman of the African Union, Tanzania’s President Jakaya Kikwete.

 

Announcing the deal Kofi Annan said “I am pleased to be able to tell you and all the citizens of Kenya that the two parties this afternoon completed the work on agenda item three, how to overcome the political crisis." He challenged both Pres. Kibaki and the opposition to work together to reconcile the country.

 

The agreement calls for the creation of a post of prime minister and two deputy prime ministers. The prime minister will be nominated by the largest party in parliament and answerable to them. It is expected that Odinga will step into the position of prime minister.

 

The talks that lead to this agreements have been running for nearly five weeks and seemed to have come to a deadlock last Tuesday before Kofi Annan achieved a breakthrough by inviting Kibaki and Odinga directly to the negotiating table rather than working with their representatives. The agreement still needs to be ratified by the parliament next Thursday, this though is expected to be a formality.

 

The current crisis in Kenya plunged the promising African country and its people in disarray. Citizens were killed, jobs being lost and hunger roams across the region affected by the fatal crisis.

 

Likewise, Kenyan residents in the United States are bearing the toll of the ugly scenarios from their motherland. They are having sleepless nights, worrying about their relatives and loved ones left behind. For some, it has become a nightmare and a complete loss as they lost relatives and loved ones.

 

Kenyan residents and other African brothers and sisters in the Delaware, and in New Jersey held separate prayer services to remember the lost ones. In Delaware, Kenyans held a memorial service under the theme: Remembering the victims, Praying for peace and healing in Kenya” on February 9, 2008 in Bear, Delaware at 5:pm. Pastor Steven Kamau led the worship service.

 

Irene Mumbi, one of the organizers said Kenyans were remembering their brothers, sisters and children who died or have been buried. They also offered prayers for the grieving families and also those who are providing supports.

 

“Kenya is bleeding. Our people need to forgive; our people need to unite and healing needs to begin not tomorrow, but today,” lamented Irene, adding “I'm sure you're aware of what's going on in Kenya - the political crisis and the ensuing violence. About 1/4 of a million people have been displaced and more than 1000 have died not to mention other sad stuff that's going on.”

 

According to Irene, collections made at the service will be directed towards humanitarian efforts in Kenya. “Together, we can restore peace and bring about reconciliation and healing,” she appeals.
  

 

  
   

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