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.
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
Friday, December 31, 2010
Working with the youth for a better Kenya
Thursday, December 30, 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 25th Anniversary of my late Mum Consolata Aluoch Oswilo Oketch. She died on the 19th December 1985 and on 26th 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;
- Mr. Philip Kisia- Town Clerk City Council of Nairobi,
- Mr. Njoroge Ndirangu- Provincial Commissioner Nairobi
- Mr. Richard Mogonko
- Mr. David Gatimu
- Mr. Robert Kiriago
- Mr. Nelson Onyango Atito
- Mr. Lameck Siage
- Ms Phyllis Kariuki
- Mr. Wilson Omondi Tusker
- Eng Sylvester Abuodha
- Mr. Nixon Otieno
- Dr. Edwin S Otieno
- Mr. Isaiah Bwana
- Mr. Samson Olendo
- Ms Selline Oketch
- Ms Rose Kagwiria
- 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 10th 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
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Kenya Youth Human Rights Camp 2010
12th 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 1st June 1963 in a ceremony that saw Mzee Kenyatta becoming the 1st 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 2nd 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 CampersBesides 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.
Young LeadersThe 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 4th 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 46th 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.
Young LeadersThe 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
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
Monday, December 6, 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 31st 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 2nd 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 23rd 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 22nd 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. ...
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