Call for unity and peace in Kenya

We Kenyans residing in the Netherlands and their friends are very concerned with the carnage of innocent people and their property that is going on in many parts of the country since the declaration of the controversial results of General Elections in 2007.

So far, many people have lost their lives and property in a senseless manner. Yet, the controversial issues around the declaration of the election results could have been solved in an amicable way. This includes recognition that Kenyans are peace-loving people.

At the same time we would like to express our profound gratitude to the quick action taken and efforts being made by the International Community to minimize the crisis. Due to pressure from the international community, the Ghanaian President John Kufuor, under the AU auspices, opened mediation on Wednesday between President Kibaki and ODM leader Mr. R. Odinga – which have raised hope for a political solution to the election dispute, which sparked bloody unrest across the country.

STABILITY:

We call upon the International Community to sustain pressure on the Kenyan political leaders to ensure peace, justice and reconciliation to address the prevailing negative ethnicity in the country.

1. Like many other Kenyans of goodwill, their friends and the International Community, we are proposing restoring peace; reconciliation and national healing must be some of the key issues that negotiators table.

2. It is important to note that the stalemate in the process to open internal dialogue has been caused by mistrust that has accumulated over time among political players. Hence, there is need for deliberate efforts to rebuild trust and confidence.

3. There must also be a closure to disputed December 27 presidential elections if the citizen's faith in the electoral process is to be restored. Thus, the two negotiating sides must agree on form and length of a government which will command a significant popular mandate.

4. Constitutional reforms addressing improved and strengthened independent government institutions, including the electoral framework, transfer of power, devolution and distribution of resources, structure of government and powers of the executive should be key in the agenda in the negotiations.

5. The negotiators must agree on a global agenda to restore the country's standing in the regional and international arena.

WE CAN NO LONGER GLOSS OVER THESE ISSUES. THEREFORE, WE REQUEST THAT THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO SUSTAIN PRESSURE ON THE NEGOTIATING PARTIES TO ENSURE PEACE AND STABILITY PREVAILED.

We hope, for the sake of this great nation and the peace-loving Kenyan people, in a spirit of friendship, tolerance and understanding, The Netherlands, as one of the principle development partners of Kenya, shall not abdicate her role as part of the international community in exerting pressure on all parties to comply in good faith to end the current situation and resolve any further disputes through negotiation and in the spirit of cooperation.

Ukea board:

CHAIRMAN – MR. WILLY. N. SAGALA

SECRETARY – MR. ALEX. O. OGELO

TREASURER – MR. ONYANGO ODENY

PUBLIC RELATIONS – MR. ERICK BARRACK OWOUR

REGIONAL CO-ORDINATOR – MR. GEDEON MWANGI

POLITICAL CO-ORDINATOR- MR. JOSH MAIYO

TOURISM CO-ORDINATOR – MR. NATHAN KARANI

ADVISORY – MR. NOBERT ABACHI

MR. ERIK VAN STAPEL

MR. HENK VAN APELDOORN

BOARD MEMBER: MR. JULIUS PUNDO

SIGNITORY:

THE MINISTER FOR INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT - THE NETHERLANDS.

MR. KOENDERS.

KENYA POLITICAL VIOLENCE PEACE MEMORANDUM