The Year 2011; Blessings

Dear Friends,
We at KCDN Nairobi- http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com would like to take this opportunity to count our blessings with you.
It has been an eventful year for us as Kenyans and we must all thank God for His Divine Providence. Through His mercies, we were able to get for ourselves a New Constitution. Remember, this journey started so long ago, but finally in 2010, we achieved our desire. We must thank Him for this.
As we close the year, let us make great reflections on our role in shaping Kenya to the Kenyan we want. We must all play our part in 2011 to help consolidate the gains we have made so far. Let us not remain in combat mood. Let us settle in and take charge of our new home. We must now move from liberation struggle to emancipation.

Working with the youth for a better Kenya

At KCDN, we will remain eternally vigilant and we will play our role in making the Kenya we want. This is our home and no one will build it for us.
As we close the year, we want to say thank yo to all friends of KCDN. You made this year the success story that it was for KCDN. Special mention must be made of Akiba Uhaki Foundation, Mugumo Communications Ltd, Transparency International, Ms Brigitte Frey and the many Friends who contributed their time and resources to power our programmes.
We must also appreciate the partnerships which saw us cruise through the year. Again, special mention must be made of the City Council of Nairobi, the Kenya Anti Corruption Commission,  the Provincial Administration Nairobi, the Kenya Police, the CCNSET, the Administration Police, and the many other organizations which we partnered with in our programmes.
We must also thank the many groups that responded to our calls and joined us in the programmes. Special mention must be made of the Westlands Association Youth Group, Kibera Youth Consotium, Bunge La Wananchi, the Youth Congress, Kashwesha Youth Group, the University Students from the various universities and all the groups that made all our programmes a success. Be blessed.
Lastly, we want to appreciate all the Friends who took their time to join in our programmes. Without your participation, we would have had no programmes. May God look at you all striaght in the eye with a smile.
In the new year 2011, we are going to make a great difference thanks to our partnership with Akiba Uhaki Foundation, Mugumo Communications and the Friends whom we are currently in discussions with.
May the Almighty God in His Providence respond to all our needs in 2011.
Peace and blessings to you all and Happy New Year.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557 0735 529 126     
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He is also Chair to the Nyamonye Catholic Church Development Fund.He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010

Appreciation and Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all Friends of Odhiambo T Oketch.

I must start by appreciating the support I got at a personal level during the 25^th Anniversary of my late Mum Consolata Aluoch Oswilo Oketch. She died on the 19^th December 1985 and on 26^th December 2010, we were in church at Othach Catholic Church to remember her.

On the same day, my daughter was baptized and we held a fund raising to help fence the church and do some minor repairs in her memory. Our target was Kshs 25,000.00 and we were able to raise Kshs 38, 768.50. I must thank the following friends who made it possible for us to raise this money;

1. Mr. Philip Kisia- Town Clerk City Council of Nairobi,
2. Mr. Njoroge Ndirangu- Provincial Commissioner Nairobi
3. Mr. Richard Mogonko
4. Mr. David Gatimu
5. Mr. Robert Kiriago
6. Mr. Nelson Onyango Atito
7. Mr. Lameck Siage
8. Ms Phyllis Kariuki
9. Mr. Wilson Omondi Tusker
10. Eng Sylvester Abuodha
11. Mr. Nixon Otieno
12. Dr. Edwin S Otieno
13. Mr. Isaiah Bwana
14. Mr. Samson Olendo
15. Ms Selline Oketch 
16. Ms Rose Kagwiria
17. and the church faithful who attended the function.

May God in His providence give you His blessings. This was besides the costs of the reception. Many thanks to you once more.

We will have a major fund raising for the Parish at Nyamonye on 10^th July 2010 and I will be inviting your support as Friends of the Church to help us buy a vehicle for the Parish Priest to enable him serve the Lord well across the expanse of Nyamonye Catholic Parish.

In my capacity as the Chairman to the Nyamonye Catholic Parish Development Fund, I want to wish you all a Happy New Year. May the good Lord in His providence provide for all our needs in the year 2011.

Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557 0735 529 126     
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com
Facebook; Odhiambo T Oketch

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He is also Chair to the Nyamonye Catholic Church Development Fund.He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010

The Kenya Youth Human Rights Camp 2010

12^th December 2010

Reflections on Jamhuri Day and its relevance to the young people/youth contribution on the new constitution and constitutionalism; a Presentation by Odhiambo T Oketch at Lukenya Getaway during the Symposium on The Kenya Youth Human Rights Camp 2010

Friends,

Today it is exactly 46 years since Kenya became a Republic with Mzee Jomo Kenyatta ascending to the Presidency. We had become Independent on 1^st June 1963 in a ceremony that saw Mzee Kenyatta becoming the 1^st Prime Minister of Kenya.

As we make reflections on that day and on the subsequent 46 years, we have lessons that we have leant along the way. We also have another Prime Minister with us, this being the Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga being the 2^nd Prime Minister of Kenya. Like in 1964, this post is being abolished again.

The Independence struggle- 1960s

However, looking at 1964 and that period, what was the role of young people in making Kenya. We know for a fact that we had many young people who actively participated in the struggle for independence. We had the technocrats who led and participated in the Independence negotiations, and then we had the many unsung heroes who took up arms and shed blood and lost their lives for Kenya. They will forever remain nameless and the unsung heroes of our struggle. 

Odhiambo T Oketch addressing the Campers

Besides Mzee Kenyatta  we had Jaramogi Odinga Odinga who was fairly young. We had James Gichuru, Tom Mboya, Martin Shikuku, Daniel Arap Moi, Ramogi Achieng Oneko, Dr Njoroge Mungai, Mbiyu Koinange, Paul Ngei, Kungu Karumba, Pio Gama Pinto, Chiedo More Gem Kodhek, Ronald Ngala, Mwai Kibaki, Masinde Muliro, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, and a host of others.

What is it that made them stand out and be counted?

They all believed that time had come for self rule and they were determined to ensure that Kenya got her Independence in what Jaramogi famously referred to in Lancaster as ‘whether they popni or ndekni’. They had faith in their ability to deliver and they had a common reason to live for; Independence.

This was a drive that motivated the leaders, and in their mix, we had the old hands mixing pretty well with the young and upcoming leaders. These leaders took over Kenya from the colonial masters and we all know that some of them were as young as 28 years when they came into public service. The only sad thing they did was that they were not able to erect the Independence flag upright at the Uhuru Gardens. Up till now, we have men struggling to raise that flag.

Maybe it was a sign of things to come; how they were going to use the same colonial tactics of divide and rule to ruin Kenya. Food for thought.

The African scenario- the Independence struggle- 1960s

In Africa, the quest for Independence was led by young men; We had Kwame Nkurumah in Ghana, Namdi Azikiwe in Nigeria, Leopold Sedar Senghor in Senegal, Julius Nyerere in Tanzania, Kenneth Kaunda in Zambia, Nelson Mandela in South Africa, Patrice Lumumba in Congo, Milton Obote in Uganda, Hastings Kamuzu Banda in Malawi, Samora Machel in Mozambique, and a series of many others across Africa.

They were all fairly young, well educated and they had something they all believed in. They were committed to the struggle and they achieved their objectives- bringing Independence to their countries.

The Multi Party Struggle – 1980s and 90s

Fast track to the 1980s. Again we see a plethora of Young Turks taking lead in the agitation of the return to multi party politics. We had people like James Orengo, Gitobu Imanyara, Raila Odinga, Paul Muite, Kijana Wamalwa, Rashid Mzee, Anyang’ Nyong’o, Mukhisa Kituyi, Kenneth Matiba, Ahmed Barmariz, Mzee Nthenge, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Mwai Kibaki, Njenga Karume, Martin Shikuku, Charles Rubia, and others playing lead roles in mobilizing Kenyans for change.

Again, these people had a course, a reason for agitation. They had identified the problem and they made the people resonate with them in their thinking. It is clear the Young Turks and their Old Guardians believed in something and they went for it. They were fearless and determined. Most of them paid dearly for this.

These leaders, both young and old identified the shortfalls of the then Kanu regime and they were able to mobilize Kenyans for a worthy cause against the regime. We all saw how bad governance could ruin the country and we swallowed the bait.

The most important thing here was the participation of the young people once more.
Young Leaders

The Constitutional Moment- 2010

Then in 2010, Kenyans trooped to the ballot boxes in our second attempt at Referendum Politics and overwhelmingly voted in a new constitution on the 4^th of August 2010. At last, we all witnessed our National Flag being erected upright at Uhuru Park. This was a sign of Independence at long last.

As we celebrate this day, the 46^th Independence anniversary, what lessons are we able to learn about the participation and role of young people in making of a nation? What sacrifices are we willing to make for Mother Kenya?

Developments that we have all witnessed in Kenya..

We have made important milestones since Independence. We have all seen how Kenya has continued to grow in debt as our leaders grow in riches.

We have witnessed scandals of immense proportions and I want you to help me list some of them;

1.                  The Chepkube Gold Rush

2.                  The KenRen Fertilizer Scandal

3.                  The Kenya Railways Scandal

4.                  The Goldenberg Scandal

5.                  The Anglo leasing Scandal

6.                  The Maize Scandal

7.                  The Triton Scandal

8.                  The Land Question

9.                  The Artur Brothers Scandal

10.              The Kroll Reports

11.              The Debt Question

12.              The Safaricom sale fiasco

13.              The Promisory Notes

14.               

 These are enterprises that have gobbled our money as we watch. Then, when we are given another chance at choosing our leaders, we vote back into office the architects of these scandals, just because they have used 1% of their income to buy our loyalty. Can we rise up and save Kenya from more of these scandals by using our power in numbers and our voters cards to bring change.

Can we do that? 
Young Leaders

The current challenges to the young people….

At Independence, during the fight for multi party politics and during our constitutional moment, young people played leading roles. The old men were able to ride on our backs to power, fame and everything. But one thing that remains clear, did these old men achieve the ideals for which we shed our blood, fought so hard to achieve and finally did achieve?

This is a question that must lead us down memory lane. We fought for Independence to fight Illiteracy, Poverty, Disease, Ignorance and we were aiming to fix our schools, health institutions, build good roads, have electric power in all our homes, have water for all by some given time frame and institute good governance as the guide to prosperity.

The question is; Have we achieved all these? And what is the role of young people in this failure?

Have we been used, duped and dumped?

In juxtaposing this failure, what does the current crop of young leaders believe in? Do they have a burning drive that they would want to die for? Do they love Kenya and do they have a vision for Kenya?

The sad reality is that many young leaders have fallen in love with money and money drives them crazy. They would rather become hatchet men for drug barons, charlatans, pimps and thieves; people who all want to rape Kenya.

The current crop of young leaders have nothing to live for; nothing to fight for; and no vision for Kenya. Can we change this trend and come out strongly on the right side of history where fidelity to Kenya and the rule of law becomes supreme to our thinking.

We must all come back to the basics and learn the virtues of servant leadership, where you volunteer your time not for monetary gain, but for the good of Mother Kenya. We must all come together, identify the pitfalls that old men have taken us through and rise up, dust our coats and swear never to go down that path again.

Benefits of Democracy

1.                  Freedom to choose our own leaders

2.                  Respect of the peoples will

3.                  Respect for human rights

4.                  Respect for the rule of law

5.                  Accountability and transparency

6.                  Encourages leadership

7.                  Peace and harmony……

Importance of Human Rights

1.                  Entrenched in the Bill of Rights- Chapter 4

2.                  Preservation of Human Dignity

3.                  Promotion of Social Justice

4.                  Ensures freedoms from discriminations

5.                  Ensures success of democracy

6.                  Ensures duty bearer and obligations of the citizenry- youth included……

Role of Citizens in the Government

1.                  Voting rights

2.                  Monitoring the Government

3.                  Demanding for Service Delivery

4.                  Supporting the Government

5.                  Defending the Government…..

Responsibility of Government to the Citizens

1.                  Making Laws

2.                  Protecting the Peoples rights

3.                  Provision of services

4.                  Maintaining the rule of law and order

5.                  Defending the country…..
An Award to Oto for his Facilitation during the Camp from Akiba Uhaki Foundation

The future is bright for the youth of this country, but we must all live to the dictates of Chapter 6 of our Constitution on Integrity and Leadership. We must not rally behind unknown quantity. We must rally Kenyans to follow, walk and work with people, both young and old who have proved beyond any reproach that they love Kenya, they shun corruption and tribalism and that they respect our human rights as captured in the Bill of Rights in Chapter 4 of our Constitution.

Lastly, Jesus the Holy Christ started His Ministry by calling only 12 men as His Disciples at a time when communication was not easy. We now have the advantage of ICT and many Youth Groups. How best can we use all these Youth Groups as building blocks that will give us a firm foundation upon which we will reclaim Kenya from the current crop of deceitful leadership.

God bless Kenyans and God bless Kenya.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126    
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010

Our Core Functions- KCDN

Dear Friends,

Komarocks Community Development Network- KCDN Nairobi, is a Civil Society Organization founded on the principles of giving back to the community; selfless and voluntary service.

We were founded on 31^st March 2005 but became active in January 2008 following the escalation of hostilities amongst Kenyans in the aftermath of our voting exercise in the General Elections of December 2007.

Our core activities revolve around child support; the KCDN Child Support Initiative. Through this initiative, we have been mobilizing Friends of KCDN to give to the Orphans and Vulnerable Children. This support is specific to educational material only. But we have gone out of our way to engage in food and other basic material items donations to the children and their guardians.

Kashwesha Youth Group in action

We then have two other activities that compliment the KCDN Child Support Initiative; The KCDN Peace Building Initiative and the KCDN Environmental Management Initiative.

The KCDN Peace Building Initiative brings together all the children whom we are supporting, their parents, their guardians, teachers and the community in peace building activities. We meet and share our various experiences and tribulations and seek common and friendly ways through which we can all be agents of peace in Kenya. We have organized Peace Walks/Runs across Nairobi and these are forums through which we encourage Kenyans to walk and work together as one people under God. The focal point of this Initiative is the yearly KCDN Peace Walk/Run celebrated every 2^nd Saturday of June.

The KCDN Environmental Management Initiative brings together all the children we are supporting, their teachers, parents, guardians, community and the local administration to a one day of clean up campaigns. We have since made this a monthly affair and we are keen on working closely with all persons who believe in Environmental Management across the whole of East Africa to be joining us in the monthly clean up campaigns. This is our way of appreciating the support we keep receiving from all Friends of KCDN and more specifically, Akiba Uhaki Foundation in nurturing KCDN to maturity.

Clean up Campaign in Westlands on 23^rd October 2010

As we do all these things, one thing rings in our mind; what can we do for Kenya our motherland? It then downs on us that as we engage with the various people through our active participation in community mobilization for courses that are of human value, we discuss about our rights as Kenyans, what the constitution is all about, our social issues, devolved governance, devolved funds, anti- corruption campaigns, environmental campaigns, good governance and our roles in making Kenya a cohesive society.

Anti Corruption Campaign in Nairobi on 22^nd October 2010

This is a call that needs no pay. It needs commitment. And we at KCDN are happy that we are committed to this walk in partnership with all our Friends- The Friends of KCDN- http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com

Peace and blessings to all Mankind,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126,
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
http://nairobieastba.blogspot.com
mailto:friendsofkcd n@yahoogroups. com

...moving from talking to tasking as we stay with the issues. ...

The role of young leaders in promoting Ethics, Integrity and Good Governance

A Presentation by Odhiambo T Oketch to the International Young Leaders Summit 2010 at KICC Nairobi on 18^th November 2010 at about 5.00pm

Ladies and Gentlemen from all across the world, it is my pleasure to share with you my thinkings on the role of young leaders in promoting Ethics, Integrity and Good Governance in the world today.

Odhiambo addressing the International Young Leaders Summit 2010 on 18th November 2010 at KICC Nairobi

I will start from a very simple premise; the universal age limit to voting rights. It is all agreed in many countries that the limit to voting rights is pegged at age 18. This means that all who are 18 and above have that ineliable right to voting for people of their choice. This means also that they can choose to vote for old men and women or vote for young men and women.

By pegging the voting rights to start at 18 means that all young persons have been given all the rights that they have been yearning for. We have a plethora of many youth movements making all sorts of noise begging that they should be given this and that; that they are marginalized and they are not sitting at the right decision making bodies.

With Janet Mbugua of Africa TV and Mike Oyier of KTN at Tsavo Ballroom at KICC on 18th November 2010

This can never be true. What else do the young people need apart from voting for people of their choices. Once you vote for people of your choice, it means that you have the kind of fair representation you have been yearning for. But what do the young people do with their votes? They vote in the same old and tired leadership that we have been saddled with all across the world. The only exception was in the United States of America where both young and old voters came together to vote in a young leader in the name of Barrack Obama.

If I zero in on Kenya, the voting population in the current voters register of persons between the ages of 18 and 35 constitute a massive 65% of all the registered voters. This reflects to 11.6 million young voters in the register. With this power, should you mourn and whine and beg? No. You must only troop to the voting booths and cast your ballot to that person of your choice and live with the consequences of your action.

But what do young people do with their votes in Kenya? They vote for known thieves who have raped Kenya repeatedly; They vote for known thieves who have stolen and ran down our State Corporations; They vote for pimps and charlatans whose stock in trade are of dubious standing; They vote for men and women who can never express themselves in public forums; They vote for men and women who are too tired to lead; They vote for men and women whose background we all do not admire, and they vote for the highest bidder.

Addressing the Tree Planting Team at Zinduka Kenya on 19th November 2010 just before the Global Peace Team engaged in Tree Planting along Nairobi River in Nairobi West.

It does not matter what the character of the said leader is. What matters to the young voters is the money he gives them for now. This is the sad reality that we have obtaining in Kenya now. And yet, we have a plethora of forums that pretend to be talking on behalf of the youth!

In Kenya, youth leadership is in a crisis. Just like adult leadership has led us nowhere in the last 47 years. We have men and women who are perpetually youth. They have been youth leaders for ever. They have been youth leaders for the last 47 years, and they still pretend to talk for the youth.

Now, with the benefit of age limit at 18, with the benefit of history and with the benefit of exposure, we can all rally together to interrogate the quality of people we propel to national leadership, be it in the political sphere, economic sphere, social and religious. They are all leaders in their own rights. We are given an opportunity every 5 years to put into political office men and women who can drive our national agenda, but we fail miserably in all those 5 years.

Global Peace Delegates at Nairobi West for the Tree Planting session.

I will take you down memory lane. Those who fought for our Independence besides Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga were men and women of youthful ages. Many were in their 20s and 30s. They had the youthful drive that was meant to rid Kenya of Poverty, Ignorance and Disease. But with the benefit of hindsight, we have not rid Kenya of these vices, and these men are still firmly in office, 50 years since they first happened on the scene. And we are the ones who vote them back into political office every 5 years. And we daily talk of ethical leadership, leaders of integrity and the catch phrase good governance is in town!

These leaders never impose themselves on us. We elect them.

Just to start winding up. What do we have to show for the past leadership in Africa in the last 50 years? I get mad when our leaders who are supposed to have inspired us to greater heights are the ones who keep asking us about what happened to Africa. They keep comparing us to the Asian Tigers, saying that at Independence we were at par with most of those Asian Countries. And they ask as if we are fools. And we vote them back to ofcie for asking us what we should be asking them!

Who should ask who what? Is it us who should be asking them where they have led us to, of is it them who should be asking us what happened? They are leaders that led Africa to be the proverbial Dark Continent.

Director of Kenya Forestry Services, Chief Inspector David Lumwatu of the Administration Police and Oto in Nairobi West on 19th November 2010 for the Tree Planting session

We have the chance and the time is now for young leaders to start emerging. It is time we started interrogating the ethical values of all those whom we elect into positions of leadership. It is time we elected leaders of known moral values; people of integrity; people who can move Africa to catch up with the world. Not leaders who will keep mourning about what happened.

Let us unite and put into office leaders who will promote peace as captured in this Global Peace Convention 2010. Let us put into office leaders who will have respect for human life, not leaders who assassinate competition. Many bright sons of Africa have been such eliminated by people we vote for every 5 years.

Let us interrogate the backgrounds of leaders we put into office. We have the numbers and we have the voters cards. Let us stop whining and complaining. Let us stop removing the youth from the mainstream, the law is so clear; all who are above 18 have voting rights.

The AP Team at the Tree Planing Session

Let us role our sleeves and stop advancing theories. Theories are taught in institutions of higher learning just to equip you with what you need in your future. Let us live that future now. No More Theories. Let us Move From Talking to Tasking as we Stay with the Issues in the full knowledge that we are One Family Under God.

God bless us, God bless Africa and God bless the world.

November Clean up Exercise- East Africa

Friends,
The November Clean Up Exercise will be held on 20th November 2010 and in Nairobi, our focal point will be at Dagoreti Shopping Centre. We are inviting all the residents of East Africa to come out in large numbers to join in this Clean-Up Campaign.
We are inviting you to each take personal charge of where you are. Come out and help clean your immediate environs. If you are a group, target the worst hit areas in your neighbourhoods.
We appreciate Friends and Colleagues who will be driving the same exercise all across East Africa. Let us unite and do something for our region, in the spirit of the East African Community. I want to specifically write to groups that have written to me from Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Zambia. This is our region, let us help keep her clean. As we do this, Rwanda and Kigali in particular remains our driving force. If they can get it that right, we can all get it equally right.
I want to appreciate groups that have written to me and confirmed that they will be on the trenches from Busia, Kitale, Kakamega, Kisumu, Maseno, Eldoret, Nakuru, Meru, to Mombasa. I want to encourage many more CBOs, NGOs, FBOs and all Friends of Nature to join in and do something.
I want to also thank the City Council of Nairobi and the Provincial Administration in Nairobi for the commitment they have shown to this process so far. I must appreciate that the Department of Environment under Mr. Isaac Muraya are going all the way out to ensure that this becomes our tradition.
We are in discussions with various institutions  about this monthly initiative and as soon as they come on board, we will come public with the details. But in the meantime, let us all roll our sleeves and move to the trenches. East Africa must be the destination of choice for the world.
This will be our last Exercise this year before we all break for a deserved Christmas. When we come back in January 2011, we will give details of who are on board with us. We will also give guidelines on how best this initiative will work all across East Africa with each town taking care of her needs.
Lastly, I want to appreciate the people of East Africa for the commitment they are showing with this initiative. We believe that in the new year, we will make it a process that impacts knowledge on Environmental Conservation to our people all across East Africa.
Peace and blessings to us all.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0724 365 557      end_of_the_skype_highlighting,  0724 365 557 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              0735 529 126      end_of_the_skype_highlighting    
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010.

My reflections; Letter from Arusha

Dear Friends,
In the last few days, I have been at Arusha and on my way from Nairobi, it was exciting as soon as we crossed the border.

Open session

My first reflections were on the vast tracks of land, how good this could be for the Land Grabbers. They have grabbed all public utility in Kenya, schools, churches, play fields, homes, cemeteries and all till they have no more land to grab. How I wished they could cross our borders....just cross the border and start salivating.....
One thing struck me though; President Kibaki and the Hon PM Raila Amolo Odinga have put great efforts at road construction in Kenya, and now, we have many tracks in motorable condition. This is good for rapid economic development for Kenya and East Africa as a whole.
Many things run on good roads; farmers need this to reach the markets; pupils and teachers need this to go to school; commuters rely on this for their economy; government services reach far and wide on good roads; and basically, with good roads, you are on the first lane. And I was reflecting on 7 years before...how no roads we had in Kenya. Good works.

Open session

I then reflected on our education system, how Free Primary Education was introduced and there with it came the many sweet challenges; you all remember Mzee Maruge [RIP] trotting to class to enjoy the fruits of the new found knowledge? How courtesy of this he went into the Guinness Book of Records and even visited New York! I think it was a timely affair.
In between we went to elections and we had our own fair levels of challenges, but the kind of challenges that strengthened our democracy. We are strong now and into the future we are all looking.
When I look at this past and juxtapose this with the question of Youth and Development, I get the thrills. The democratic space has actually given all of us the cutting edge that we need. It allows all persons above 18 to take part and shape our destiny. This is a challenge we must all take.
The youth, and those that are youthful at heart must rise to the occasion and save humanity from man made failures that we have grappled with in Africa. As the world was going industrial, we went corrupt.

Odhiambo T Oketch with the two facilitatiors Miriam and Jens

As the world was going nuclear, we went corrupt.
As the world was celebrating the virtues of good leadership, our leaders were celebrating the virtues of corruption. And yet, we vote them into positions of leadership every 5 years or so often. I was reflecting on this as I met very energized youth from across 10 countries.
What can the youth and the youthful at heart do to liberate Africa from this group that has preached impunity, corruption, environmental degradation and tribalism on us?
Must we continue as we have in the last 50 years of Africa's Independence?
The time has come; the time is now; let us all call each other into action and restore the pride of Africa.
Let us all role our sleeves and join in environmental conservation all across East Africa every 3rd Saturday of the month. Let us all take personal charge withing our various localities.
Let us all join hands and shame the Lords of Graft in our midst's. Let us not glorify the corrupt and sing songs of praises in their favour. Let us make it our personal commitmment to join in the fight against corruption all across East Africa.
We have one missing link in the Fight against Corruption in Kenya; the State Law Office, the seat of power of the Attorney General of Kenya. Whereas the People have joined in the Fight against Corruption, the Legislature has caught fire, the Judiciary is waking up, the AG is still just smiling at us. He is seeing no corruption, hearing and feeling no corruption. He must wake us from that deep slumber...the people are watching him very keenly.
Lastly, in my reflections, let us all join hands in that humble knowledge that in His Providence, all is assured. He is the Almighty, the All Knowing and the All Powerful. He can never let us down when we ask of His mercies on bended knees. Let Him give us the power to seize the moment and do justice to our land.
Peace and goodwill to all mankind.

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557, 0724 365 557
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com/
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com


Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010.

Friends of KCDN helps Joyce Kalabai

Dear Friends,
Following our presentation of Kshs 18,000.00 to the PS for Education yesterday, they have acted with speed, called the Principal of the School where Joyce was, banked the money in the school account and written to KCDN appreciating the small efforts the Friends of KCDN did.

Ms Florence Kanyua of KCDN Nairobi presents Kshs 18,000.00 to Mr. Francis Ngware- Senior Deputy Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education on 4th Nov 2010. This money was to help clear the fee balance of Ms Joyce Kalabai.

They have copied me in the letter and attached a copy of the pay-in slip. This is very good since those who would like us to account can now easily verify this.
The Ministry has promised to follow-up on the case of Joyce and they will do all that it takes to ensure she furthers her education and become a pillar in our society. In the meantime, if you may offer Joyce an employment opportunity, please get in touch and we will really appreciate that support.
Joyce has a Father who has spinal injury and he is bed ridden. Since we have started on this journey, we want to follow this to its logical conclusion. Joyce also has siblings who are struggling with their education, and we want to invite all the support we can master to help her out.
We will reach to the Minister for Medical Services to intervene on the issue of Joyces' father, but if you are able to be of help, please join us.
L-R; Mr. Evans Machera, Mr. Francis Ngware, Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch, Ms Joyce Kalabai and Ms Florence Kanyua of KCDN at Mr. Ngware's offices on 4th Nov 2010
Lastly, we are still open to receiving more support for Joyce and her siblings. If you are willing to be of help, please reach out to Mr. Evans Machera on 0724646961 and send your financial support through Mpesa or any other means available to you.
Once more, we remain thankful to the following Friends of KCDN and People of Goodwill for their support;

1. Mr Evans Machera- Kshs 500.00- Tel; 0724646961
2. Mr. Odhiambo T Oketch- Kshs 500.00
3. Mr, Zein Abubakar- Uraia Kenya- Kshs 3,000.00
4. Mr. Elijah Agevi- Kshs 500.00
5. Mr. Felix Cheruiyot- Baltimore Maryland USA Kshs 4,000.00
6. Ms Farhiya Abdi- Kshs 500.00
7. Mr. Chris Kinyua- Kshs 1,000.00
8. Eng Maurice &Ms Milliscent Odhiambo- Kshs 1,000.00
9. Ms. Petronila Nafula- Kshs 500.00
10. Mr. Dennis Nyakundi- Kshs 500.00
11. Ms Rose Kagwira- Rwanda- Kshs 3,000.00
12. Mr. Benji Ndolo- Kshs 1,000.00
13. Mr.Peter Nganga - Kigali Rwanda - Kshs.3,000.000
14. Ms Atu Vohra- Kshs 3,000.00.

Note; in the first photo, Ms Florence Kanyua of KCDN is presenting Kshs 18,000.00 to Mr. Francis Ngware- Senior Deputy Director of Secondary and Tertiary Education at the Ministry of Education at Jogoo House. In the second photo, we are with Mr. Evans Machera, Joyce Kalabai and Florence Kanyua at Mr Ngware's offices.
We will account to the last cent.
Peace and blessings,

Odhiambo T Oketch,
CEO KCDN Nairobi,
PO Box 47890-00100,
Nairobi Kenya.
Tel; 0724 365 557,  0724 365 557    
http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com
friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com

Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010.

Call to action

Friends, We at KCDN are keen to move our Environmental Management Programme to the next level. We have been organizing a yearly clean up exercise in Komarock which we have upgraded to a City wide clean up exercise inNairobi. We will be hosting this every month in partnership with the City Council of Nairobi and all Friends of Nature. We recently hosted The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption on 22nd October 2010 in Nairobi and again, we partnered with the CCN, Kenya Anti Corruption Commission, the Provincial Administration, the Kenya Police, Administration Police, Transparency International and many other players. We are keen on walking the talk against corruption by mobilizing the country to join in the fight. These are issues we are holding to heart and this is how we will be conducting the Initiatives; Every 3rd Saturday of the Month, we will be calling the people of East Africa into action. We will be appealing to them to come out and help clean their localities and surroundings in a proactive manner that needs no supervision. The clean ups will be preceded by tree planting sessions that is aimed to sour the tree cover in the whole of East Africa.  Thereafter, we will be hosting discussions and educational forums that will invite us to take personal responsibility over issues that affect us like the environmental degradation does. We want to invite all Friends of Nature to join us in this programme. We know it will not be easy, but we also know that we can actually do it. We are in discussions with Organisations and Institutions whom we have approached for partnerships and as soon as we are finalized, we will post the details in our blog. In the meantime, we want all of us to take personal interests to make this a reality. Our children will be there to thank us for the time we lived on this planet earth, for we shall have something to bequeath them. This is a call to action and support. Please reach out to the undersigned and help move this thinking forward. Peace and blessings. Odhiambo T Oketch, CEO KCDN Nairobi, PO Box 47890-00100, Nairobi Kenya. Tel; 0724 365 557, 0735 529 126 http://kcdnkomarockswatch.blogspot.com friendsofkcdn@yahoogroups.com Odhiambo T Oketch is the current Chairman to the City Council of Nairobi Stakeholders Evaluation Team on Performance Contracting and Rapid Results Management. He was also the Co-Chair and Coordinator of The Great Nairobi Walk against Corruption that was held in Nairobi on the 22nd October 2010.