Welcome to KCDN

This is KCDN, an Environmental Management, Economic Empowerment and Poverty Eradication Civil Society.

We welcome you to our site. Kindly feel free to share with us your thoughts. Ideas that add value will be appreciated. Ideas that want to make us improve our physical environment will be welcome. And more so, ideas that redirect us from the lost cause will be of immense value.

It is us who will improve the lot of our Environment, our Economy and make Kenya a Clean Country, where People join hands to work for our own Economic Emancipation and where Municipal Solid Waste Management is looked at as a resource, not as waste.

We need to set the standards in this region of the World and become the referral point in how a people can join hands and work for their own Economic Liberation, where waste can be used as raw material and become a source of employment for our people.

Our collective actions will surely make a difference. This is why in partnership with our Key Strategic Partners- The Public Service Transformation Department, the National Environment Management Authority, the Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation,other key Ministries, the Local Authorities in Kenya, the Provincial Administration, A Better World, Akiba Uhaki Foundation and other Partners, we are moving deliberately in sensitizing and mobilizing Kenyans to work towards A Clean Kenya where waste is separated at source.

And this is why we are inviting Kenyans to join with us in The Clean Kenya Campaign and be a Member of Kimisho Sacco Society Ltd

Welcome.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
Team Leader & Executive Director,
KCDN, KSSL, KICL & TCKC,
Tel; 0724 365 557,
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com, kimishodevelopment@gmail.com
Website; www.kcdnkenya.org.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Community partnership and support


Dear Friend of KCDN, 9th March 2009

Community partnership and support

I would like to introduce Komarocks Community Development Network to you. In the caption, our Assistant Chief, Mrs. Elizabeth Omondi is seen giving out unga to the pupils and their parents/guardians.

We are a Community Based Organization based at Komarock Phase 2 at the shopping centre. Our core mandate is to support children who are orphans and vulnerable with educational materials.

We are currently supporting 250 such children from across seven schools namely; Kayole Secondary School, Komarock Primary School, Kayole 1 Primary School, Imara Primary School, Mwangaza Primary School, Tumaini Primary School and Busara Primary School.

We were blessed to mobilize for these children books, stationery and uniforms last year, and on 5th December 2008 at our offices, these items were given to the children in a ceremony that was presided over by Mrs. Leah K Rotich, the Director of Basic Education in the Ministry of Education.

Again on 11th December 2008, we were able to give these children nutritional support of rice, unga, cooking oil and milk. These were generously given to us by Tetra Pak [EA] Ltd. They were on hand to give these items out to the children and their guardians.

Lastly, on 7th March 2009, with support from a few friends, we were able to give these children some sanitary towels, unga and more stationery. The occasion was presided over by our Assistant Chief, Mrs. Elizabeth Omondi and the Chairman Komarocks Residents Association Mr. Joash Lovy. They were accompanied by their officials.

To sustain this process and to make us more responsive to the many needy cases that come to our office, we kindly request a one-off in a year financial support from you. If you can be willing to join the dedicated team of Friends of KCDN, you can send that support to us via any money transfer services, or, simply get in touch with the undersigned for our bank details. We will post on our site all the names of people who are supporting us.

We are also requesting that when you go doing your shopping, kindly spare one packet of unga, rice, sugar, or oil for KCDN. We also request for books that are in fair conditions. We will be giving these periodically as a good will gesture from the friends of KCDN. I firmly believe we can set this agenda as a loving community of Kenyans regardless of tribe.

Your support will make us be on the side of history that best exemplifies that timeless creed of the American people; yes we can.

Lastly, we want to enlist all Friends of KCDN, people we can rely on for a one off yearly support. Kindly let us know if we can do this, then we will be sending to you periodical functions at KCDN.

We look forward to working with you to create a difference in Komarock.

I believe, Yes We Can.

Yours faithfully,

Odhiambo T Oketch,

CEO KCDN Nairobi,

PO Box 47890-00100,

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Clarifications on support from Barclays

Our attention has been drawn to the support that KCDN has received from Barclays Bank.
We must set the records straight. The support we received at KCDN of Kshs 59,000.00 on January 23rd 2009 was from the staff members of Barclays Bank Kenya Ltd at Haile Selassie Avenue Branch.
It was not from Barclays Bank as a Corporate Body.
Again, the sanitary towels that we gave out to the KCDN girls was courtesy of Ms Irene Wasike in her private capacity. She made that undertaking in her private capacity and not as the Branch Manager at Haile Selassie Avenue Branch.
We would like to take this earliest opportunity to correct the impression that might have been created from our posting.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,
Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

KCDN FOOD Initiative; A report


KCDN Food Initiative; A report 7th Match 2009

On, 7th March 2009, we held the KCDN Food Initiative at our offices in Komarock Phase 2. We brought in 134 children, whom we gave 3 packets of unga each; thanks to the support we got from you, more specifically, Mr. Chacha Odera, a friend of Irene in South Africa [the friend requests to remain anonymous] and Dr. PLO Lumumba. We had many other friends who said they will chip in. I am hoping to receive their support.

We also gave 35 girls who have come of age, some sanitary towels, thanks to Ms. Irene Wasike and Barclays Bank Haille Sellassie Avenue Branch. This will be a monthly support and we must again give our thanks and appreciation to Irene and her staff at Barclays for this undertaking.

We also gave out more stationery and exercise books again thanks to a cheque of Kshs 59,000.00 that was given to us by Barclays Bank staff led by Ms Wasike on 23rd January 2009.

On hand to give these items out was the Assistant Chief for Komarock, Mrs. Elizabeth Omondi. She was accompanied by Mr. Tom Wambua from her office, and Elijah, Susan and Teresiah from the Chiefs office in Kayole.

Mr. Joash Lovy, the new Chairman of Komarocks Residents Association was also in attendance and he was accompanied by the KRA Secretary General. Irene was supposed to join us but was unable due to emergencies that cropped up in the morning.

Joining the children in attendance were their parents/guardians and relatives.

I am happy to report that the chief promised to mobilize for our children relief food from the government as an immediate measure. She thanked KCDN for being mindful of the nutritional welfare of the children, even as we mobilize educational support as our core functions. She also took on the moment to inform the people about the many things government is engaged in for the benefit of the children and the women, things like the Youth and Women Funds.

She encouraged the people to be informed so that they can become better citizens. Lastly she thanked all the people who have supported KCDN so far. Responding to the story of KCDN, she insisted that as I pass her regards to our partners, I mention them by name. In response to that, I am posting that list as the report continues;

Support to KCDN so far from January 2008;

Source

Amount

Purpose

Mr. Jairus K’Onyiego-USA

Kshs 232,997.86

Setting up KCDN and logistical support with Internally Displaced Persons.

Phoenix Aviation Ltd

Kshs 100,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Mr. Samuel O. Okello- USA

Kshs 72,546.45

Setting up KCDN and logistical support with Internally Displaced Persons.

Barclays Bank, Haille Sellassie Branch- Ms Irene Wasike

Kshs 59,000.00, plus Kshs 4,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative, KCDN Sanitary Towels Initiative

SGS Kenya Ltd

Kshs 50,000.00

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Dr George Omburo- USA

Kshs 40,872.00

KCDN Office & Communications

Ms Irene Ngugi- SA

Kshs 5,000.00 plus Kshs 20,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative, KCDN Food Initiative

Mr. Leonard Amolo- Kenya

Kshs 22,000.00

KCDN Office & Communication, KCDN Child Support Initiative

Capital Airlines Ltd

Kshs 20,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Express Connections Ltd

Kshs 20,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Taxplus Consult Ltd

Kshs 20,000.00

KCDN Office & Communications

Mr. Joram Odus- UK

Kshs 20,000.00 plus a Digital Camera

Internally Displaced Persons

Ms Pamela Ohonde- UK

Kshs 20,000.00

Internally Displaced Persons

Mini Bakeries [Nairobi] Ltd

Kshs 10,000.00

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Mr. Sebastian Onyango- Finland

Kshs 10,000.00

Internally Displaced Persons

Mr. Chacha Odera- Kenya

Kshs 10,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative, KCDN Food Initiative

Mr. Rodgers Orero- UK

Kshs 9,860.00

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Dr Paul Nyandoto- Finland

Kshs 7,972.00

KCDN Office & Communications

Mr. Richard Mungla- Mozambique

Kshs 6,500.00

Internally Displaced Persons

Mr. Regem Lugonzo- Kenya

Kshs 6,500.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Dr Matunda Nyanchama- Canada

Kshs 6,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Rachier & Amolo Advocates- Mr. Otiende Amolo

Kshs 5,000.00

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Ms Caroline Otieno- Arusha TZ

Kshs 5,000.00

Internally Displaced Persons

Dr. PLO Lumumba- Kenya

Kshs 4,000.00

KCDN Food Initiative

Staff Aristocrats Insurance Brokers Ltd

Kshs 2,300.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Ms Elisabeth Onyango Auma

Kshs 2,000.00

KCDN Child Support Initiative

Mr. John Maina- USA

Kshs 2,000.00

KCDN Office & Communication

Text Book Centre Ltd

1000pcs Exercise Books 80 pages

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Phoenix Publishers Ltd

Assorted Story Books

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

East African Educational Publishers

Assorted Text Books

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Erdemann Company Ltd

500 bottles of water

KCDN Embakasi Peace Run

Matunda and Zedekiah Nyanchama- USA

Laptop- Zanaworld Computers

KCDN Office & Communication

Mr. Lovy challenged the government, institutions, individuals and donor agencies to work with institutions such as KCDN so that they can bring development closer to the people. He was appreciative of what KCDN has done in their short history and promised to encourage the residents of Komarock to support KCDN in whatsoever way they can.

Lastly, when we made this latest call for support, Mr. Matunda Nyanchama asked me what efforts we were making to have KCDN to be self sustaining. I will give my take on this based on what we have done so far.

In our strategic plan, we have developmental issues we are laying grounds for. You will appreciate that last year was our first involvement with the educational support for these children.

In our first call for support, we identified lack of books, stationery and uniform as the key areas that need intervention. In so intervening, we made it clear to all our partners and people of goodwill that we will initiate developmental issues so that in 5 years time, KCDN will be self sufficient to undertake all the child support by ourselves.

To reach that stage where we need no fish, we are in that stage where we must still eat the fish from people of goodwill. I am appreciative of all the support we are getting from all our friends and people of goodwill as at now, taking into account that we are just celebrating our first year in action.

That first year has been very good for us at KCDN. In that first year, we have been very deliberate. We got involved with the rescue of Kenyans who were victims of the clashes of January 2008. Besides bringing some 32 of those families to safety in Nairobi, we were able to mobilize used items for them. Again, we saw that clear resolve from willing friends, people who responded positively to our call and gave out what they did not use.

As part of teaching some of our people how to fish, we are happy to note that what we spent on the IDPs did not go in vain. We were able to place 9 young men in car washing business in Komarock Phase 2 at the shopping centre. They have settled down very well to this and they have decided to settle in Kayole and live their lives. They do not come to us for any more support.

As part of teaching some of our people how to fish, we placed some women into businesses by the road. Some progressed so well and soon, they were fending for themselves and their families. They also do not come anymore to KCDN for handouts.

We were also able to place a few men into security jobs within Komarock Phase 2. I talked with the then Chairman of Komarocks Residents Association, Mr. Juma and his then secretary, Eng Barrack Okal and they allowed me two slots for security officers. These two men are still in the employment of KRA and they are happy with the little that they are earning.

We wanted to start a self help group for the local residents where members could be guaranteeing each other small loans. We shelved this because of the bad history associated with the pyramid schemes where many people lost their savings. We thought the people had not gotten the gist of what we were talking about. We are still working on this. We are engaging in civic education with a view to imparting pertinent knowledge that will make this scheme a success.

This will show you that we are first learners, and we are learning how to fish by ourselves very fast. We are moving on very deliberately so that in the shortest time possible, KCDN can be self sustaining.

Now for the children, it must be investment by KCDN. Through what we are doing now, and with support from our friends and development partners, we are building a foundation for investment. Your support for us now gives us the kind of CV that we need. It gives us the confidence to engage more established donor agencies just like I have explained in the first letter. Our performance also inspires confidence from any other key donor agencies. This will make KCDN invest in ventures that will guarantee prudent returns.

We are in discussion with donor agencies that can make a difference for KCDN. We need your support to reach out to more of these institutions and donor agencies that can be of help. It is our desire to invest in areas that can make KCDN self reliant. We can only do this when we join hands.

In short, we are learning how to fish as we get fish for the immediate meal. This is captured in our strategic plan of action.

Thank you for supporting KCDN. God bless you, God bless KCDN and God bless Kenya.


Odhiambo T Oketch,

CEO KCDN Nairobi,

PO Box 47890-00100,

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557,

Email; komarockswatch@yahoo.com

Monday, March 9, 2009

Barclays supports KCDN Girls

On 7th March 2009, we gave out sanitary towels to 35 girls who are of age in the KCDN Child Support Initiative.

These towels were bought for the girls by Ms Irene Wasike on behalf of Barclays Bank, Haile Selassie Avenue Branch. This was a promise made by Ms Wasike when she visited KCDN at Komarock on 23rd January 2009 in the company of her colleagues from Haile Selasie Avenue Branch. During that visit, she gave KCDN a cheque for Kshs 59,000.00 to help support the KCDN Child Support Initiative.

This offer was presented to the girls by Susan and Teresiah from the Chiefs office, and Odhiambo T Oketch, the CEO at KCDN. The Assistant Chief who was our guest had just left after helping to distribute unga, books and stationery to the children.

This will be a monthly undertaking by Barclays for which we are very greatful.

On behalf of KCDN, the girls and their parents/guardians, I must register our appreciation to the staff of Barclays Bank at Haile Selassie Avenue Branch, and more so to Ms Irene Wasike who is the Branch Manager, for this selfless effort.

Our appreciation.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi.
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0735 529 126

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Joram Odus gives KCDN a Digital Camera

Mr Joram Odus [middle in the picture] of UK was in Kenya recently and in the midst of his heavy schedules during his stay, he met with Mr Dave Ndolo [right] and Odhiambo T Oketch of KCDN.

Mr Odus is one of the people who have consistently supported KCDN over the last one year. This time around, he brought with him a Digital Camera to enable KCDN record history.

On behalf of KCDN, I wish to sincerely thank Mr Odus for this positive gesture. We at KCDN appreciate all the support he has given us and we look forward to more positive engagement in future in support of what we stand for.

At the time of this posting, Mr Odus must have reached his base in London.

Our regards,

Odhiambo T Oketch
CEO KCDN Nairobi.
Tel; 0735 529 126, 0724 365 557