http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fightingpeacefully/message/752 Fri Feb 22, 2008 1:51 am

Grassroots report

Ken Owino

Eldoret

Local Champions; Kenneth Chelimo(+254722809690) and Wesley Chirchir (+254722922107) Eldoret town remains calm, but traveling via road to the town reveals ghostly evidence of the violence in the neighboring towns and estates. Some towns have been completely burnt and all the inhabitants displaced, these horrific scenes are traumatizing. We saw over seven IDP camps before arriving in Eldoret town. We were almost disoriented and honestly disappointed. Our hopes of reaching out to the very local people (aggrieved and the aggressors) were quenched. The local champions there are Kenneth Chelimo and Wesley who we met and others like Dorcas whom we tried to meet but failed. Dorcas was reportedly in Nairobi when we were there. Keneth Chelimo and Wesley work from a much higher level and working closely with the Business community, Media, Churches etc mostly in forums that ignore the realities on the ground. We appeared in the local TV/radio talk show (Sayare) and attended a peace meeting convened by the local Peace Organs in collaboration with the local PoP champions. The Peace initiatives and efforts in Eldoret by Chelimo are encouraging but on the other side they are of concern and questionable.The Youths, aggressors and aggrieved presence are not seen in the forums.They are marginalized in the efforts. We visited Eldoret IDPs camp and made contacts with John of A step *(tel no and email) Rachel help who are working along with Red Cross, doing a commendable job. John enjoys good reception in both the enemy tribes' camps and displaced people camps. He has been organizing football matches for both the fighters and the aggrieved youths in the Camps and outside the Camps. In the camps the matches are meant for psycho-social purposes. And he IDP's play against themselves, Police Officers, Red Cross and the Civic Societies staff teams' to boost trust and confidence within the camp. Both teams in and out of the camps are now willing to meet for a friendly match tussle in the spirit of "embrace the enemy". The champions heading task force in Eldoret really need to talk while walking. One doesn’t have to fly to assess or fact find from high above. But take personal sacrifices and not literally but actually walk through violence prone grounds to gather information. Forums without direct contact and participation of the people on the ground have never yielded solutions but consumed time and finances. Am impressed by kenneth Chelimo's desire of visiting Kuresoi (through Achami and Rono) but would urge him to venture in new areas like Mount Elgon where champions have not yet been identified. We gathered information that some Elders in Rift valley have been used to mobilize the militia unit and proscribed groups which are split into marksmen, foot-soldiers with bows and arrows dipped in poison. There are plans of wars in case the peace talks collapse. The fighters in Rift valley especially Eldoret are well organized teams, with high secret oaths. We have been receiving previous postings of the Benevolent Kalenjin fighters who were engaged, given credit and dissuaded from erecting road blocks. In the true sense of my words, we weren’t able to meet any of these groups even those perceived to have converted from the vice. Grassroots work is still highly necessary in Eldoret, we gave Kenneth Chelimo the contacts of John ( ) l of A-step who has contacts of both the fighters and the displaced. There is high need of engaging the fighters and the youths. There is need of opening up to Mt Elgon, identifying champions there. There is need of reaching out to the displaced,identifying their needs and mobilizing resources to help them. Kikuyus are adversely affected than Kalenjins in Eldoret, so even before we think of developing Eldoret through Peace Centers the word "Peace" in itself that makes a center is necessary. Most razed houses that we saw belong to the kikuyu community. How do we say we are “Embracing the Enemy” or "Putting Humanity before Politics" without placing the needs of the Enemy first?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2669

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2572

Margaret in urgent need to care for her children in Eldoret

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2542 Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:19 pm

I will be traveling to Eldoret tomorrow for the TV program and will be there with others Ken Chelimo is organizing so that various tribes are represented in at the show, i will come back to Nakuru as Achami is making much progress to ensure that Molo is opened and Kalenjins can access the town, they are locked in Kuresoi he will be inviting us all for a meting between Kalenjin youths and Kikuyu youths there he has been meeting with people in molo and they have come up with a plan that he will send tomorrow there target is 26th. This is the intervention that we want in all the places where people are not seeing eye to eye, ensuring there is more grass root work.

Humanity Before Politics.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/theoptimallife/message/48

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

You are children of God, for you do as God does. God is Creator, and you are co-creators. Make peace among us, the peace God makes in each of us, the day of rest within our hearts. I share with you my vision of peace. I ask you for your vision of peace, and also, your vision of justice.

Photo of Kikuyus harbored near the Eldoret Cathedral. Copyright: Christophe Calais for The New York Times, January 8, 2008

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learningfromeachother/message/1650

Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:19 pm

Dear Andrius and All,

The Eldoret Pyramid of Peace is now mounted strategically infront of the Eldoret Municipal Council Town Hall to serve as a monument to mark the start of peace initiative in the region - thanks to a successful event held to day. The white painted Pyramid with catchy words "PYRAMID OF PEACE" is attracting alot of attention in the town with the white rose flowers placed round the pyramid in three layers. It signifies peace, peace and peace.

Todays ceremony was marked with pomp and colour. Hundreds of people turned up to witness the event. They included religious leaders, NGo representatives, civic and government officials, parastatal, business people and the members of the public from all wals of life. They trooped into the ground starting at 9am. They listened carefully to peace messages delivered by the speakers. Many paid tribute to the speech by Andrius read on his behalf by myself. They took note of Andrius empathy to suffering kenyans and his quest for peace yet he was thousands of kilometres away. Many were optimistic that his efforts as the leader of POP in the peace initiative will not be in vain.

Yesterday POP team in Eldoret Rachel, David, Ken Owino and myself were joined by Eldoret Town and Environs Development association(ETEDA) chairman Sammy Chemwey in a SAYARE TV live broadcast espounding on the virtues of peace. The live broadcast was accorded free by SAYARE TV owner Bishop Eli Rop +254 722 734 926 who was moderating the program. The POP team outlined the activities of POP in the peace process in regions affected by the post election violence. SAYARE TV and Radio has accepted to be hosting POP for one hour every thursday in its broadcasts to promote peace in the region. This will mean POP will organize speakers on peace to appear in the live broadcasts. We intend to bring together people from different commnities to speak on the importance of peace. The programme will run fro 8.30pm to 9.30 pm (kenya time).

During the event, we were glad to be joined by other POP members including Ken Omondi, Rachel David, Rono, Felix, Dennis and Wesley. Many people were very eager to know the nature of our duties and after our introduction many acknowledged the work we do in promoting peace in the country.

POP has also entered into agreement with the police and provincial administration to facilitate setting up of peace committees in the grassroot to initiate dialogue on peace among different communities involved in the violence. I attended a meeting convened by the police in Eldoret yesterday to set up the committees awhich agreed to work closely with POP in advocating for peace among the affected people.

Now that the POP impact has been felt in the region, we will set up to visit affected areas in the grassroot to advocate for mutual coexistence and peace. We wish to thank alll those who assisted in planning the Eldoret event Andrius, Janet, Richardo, Rachel, Ken Omondi, David, Rono, Edwin, Felix and others. To say the least, Iam really indebted to all these people for their invaluable ideas!

For now I feel proud to have the pyramid of peace stationed in Eldoret. We hope that the envisaged peace centre will soon be a reality in the area. Thanks.

Ken Chelimo

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2370

Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:49 pm

Ken Chelimo

Dear Andrius,

Thanks alot for your support in making the above event successful. I received the money you sent through Western Union. I am going to dispatch some of it to Felix Kipruto to enable him attend the POp function in Eldoret.

Today we met the Eldoret town clerk who gave us the authority to use the town hall gardens for the function and to pitch the pyramid. We also met the Security Agents (police) led by their commanding officer Mr Bernad Muinde +254 722 689996 and assured us of security on Friday. We will pick the police permit allowing us to hold the event tomorrow morning.

So far we have invited 50 leaders of different organizations including churches, business, government, parastatals, NGOs, educational institutions etc. We have secured a tent from Red Cross which can accomodate 60 people. I have instructed the carpenter making the pyramid to design it as per your request. I hope Ken Owino will be here on time to see it before it is pitched.

During our course of networking we met a senior police officer Mr Ondie +254 722 256 299 dispatched by the government from Nairobi to promote peace in the Rift Valley Region. He invited us for a peace meeting in eldoret tomorrow. He promised to join and support the activities of Pyramid of Peace in Kenya by taking our message to the Government.

At the same time we met the owner of SAYARE Radio/TV Bishop Eli Rop +254 722 734 926 who expressed alot of optimism in our efforts to promote peace in the area. He said his media station was neutral and impartial in its broadcasts. In a show of solidarity with the activities of POP, he has agreed to have POP peace programmes broadcasted live on SAYARE Radio and TV every Thursday starting at 8.30pm. It will be a 45 minute programme and POP will only have to organize for people to speak during the programme to be dubbed Peace talk. This will mean Wesley, Felix, Were, Rono. Achami, Dennis and I etc will have to organize for topics to be aired every thursday as part of POP's activities to promote peace and mutual coexistence in the region. Sayare broadcasts cover a radius of about 200km from Eldoret. It therefore covers most of the Rift Valley Region, Western and Nyanza. These are areas hit by post election violence. Bishop Eli's gesture is indeed a great boost to our peace initiative in the region.All of us at POP wish him abundant blessings for this goodwill,

We have contacted youth through the ministry of youth affairs to come and assist during the day by pitching the tent, ushering and arranging the venue. Both young men and women have readily agreed to attend.

Elders fro catholic churches in Marakwet, Tranzoia, Keiyo, Nandi, Uasin gishu today attended a meeting at the Catholic Diocese and vowed to remain peaceful in their areas. They urged the government to provide security in their areas to ward off aggressors. Some of the elders promised to attend the Friday function. Among the elders were displaced old men and women from Kamoi and Kapcherop in Tranzoia District.

All Media houses (local and International) have been invited to cover the event. We envisage a big crowd to attend as we have hired a public address system to play peace music and christian songs to attract the public. Sayare will also be carrying announcements starting tonight inviting people to attend the peace function wearing white armbands or carrying white roses or flowers. A big banner with the message "Peace for Development in Eldoret" will be placed strategically to convey the message at the Town Hall Gardens that day.

Remain in Peace as we wait for this great day. Thanks

Ken Chelimo

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2464

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lovingGod/message/558

Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:55 pm Thanks for your support for the above event. Today we were able to meet over 40 spiritual elders from different communities and different denominations (churches) who were meeting in Eldoret town. Sammy Chemwei +254 722402714 who happens to know the elders introduced me to them and we were able to convince them to attend the Friday function and to impress upon their followers to do the same. We exhorted them to continue preaching and promoting peace among their followers for the region to attain total peace now and in future.

Sammy Chemwei is the Director of Rehema Devt Organization, the NGO which has expressed interest to house the first peace centre in Eldoret. The elders were led by Bishop Malema +254 725514453 and Apostle Mwei +254 721363639. All of them welcomed POP initiative and termed it a "God-Send" event. This is because most of the elders came from communities affected by the skirmishes. They promised to support the event through prayer and preaching peace.

We have also contacted community FM stations around the region and three of them SAYARE FM, Radio Rehema and Fish Fm have agreed to air our peace message to people and invite them to attend the friday function carrying white flowers or roses or white armbands as sign of peace. They said in their quest to support the peace initiative, they will air the messages free of charge.

Tomorrow we are meeting the Bishop with the catholic church elders from different communities in different parishes and will confirm the prelates participation in the Friday event. We have also talked to Red Cross which has promised to give us a tent free for the event. We will also be meeting the Eldoret town Clerk to fine tune the event and to show us the location where the pyramid will be pitched. He has agreed to provide chairs for the event. I expect Rachel, Ken Owino, Lawrence, Rono, Were and Dan Otedo to join me on Thursday. Radio Sayare and TV would have liked to interview some of these peacemakers either on Thursday or Friday.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2206

Wed Feb 6, 2008 7:11 am

chelimo kenneth

I am writing from Eldoret and as Wesley informed you, the situation here is now calm. The only tension as of now is the ODM planned mass action if Kibaki convenes the IGAD meeting in Nairobi. Already ODM secretary General Anyang Nyongo has put on alert ODM supporters to peacefully demonsttrate across the country. From past experiences such demonstrations degenerate into violent marches and looting. We hope this doesnt happen.

There was also alot of tension yesterday as some Kalenjin political, community and youth leaders were arraigned in court to answer charges of organizing the kalenjin youth to fight Kikuyu community in and around Eldoret. However tension was eased after the magistrate realeased the leaders on free government bail but advised them to keep peace. It would have been important for PoP to reach out to these leaders and advise them on the importance of keeping peace. Iam trying to get some of these leaders to convince them on the importance of forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/mendenyo/message/1270

Rono has reported a good work he has done with Kalenjin fihters and requesting if any help can be directed to I.D.P’s in Eldoret for tents and blankets.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/2198

Tue Feb 5, 2008 11:59 am

Dear Janet,

I hope you are fine. I was away to visit my destroyed farm and burnt house over the weekend. The situation is coming back to normal. There is alot of security now. Some people whose houses were destroyed are rebuilding them with assistance of well wishers. Some have transferred their children to other schools. My children are going to the same school.

I was able to meet some neighbours who have been given shelter by a military man who is being guarded by army personnel. They are comfortable and safe compared to people who live in IDP camps. We also had a chance to visit a place called Munyaka where some of our neighbours ran to take refuge. Mainly they are Kikuyus and also well guarded by the military and police. I met five of my neighbours and we agreed to be meeting in Eldoret town daily to console each other, consult on how we can built and sustain peace in our area. I still live with my brother but travel to Eldoret town oftenly to meet other victims. The aim is to reconcile, forgive and encouarge each other in the spirit of peace. I have been sharing airtime with many victims of the clashes - mainly people whom we used to live together whether a kikuyu, Kalenjin, Turkana, Luhya, Luo etc. Our objective is to regard each other as a Kenyan with a birth right and to forget the past.

Thanks alot to Richardo, Ken Owino and Mamamikes for the assistance. I received Ksh 6666 from Richardo and airtime from Ken and Mamamikes. Thanks too to Rachel, Rono, Adrius, Janet, Wesley for the PoP initiative and for your concern to the victims.

I would have wished to comunicate with Joy Tang whom we spoke last week from California but I dont have her contacts. Please let me have her contacts (E-mail, telephone)if you know.

We are trying to get assistance to construct a house before we move back. After assessing the cost of reconstructing the house and furnishing it translates to about US$7,000/- Iam praying that a wellwisher will come my way as we are facing alot of hardship at the moment. This will enable me and my family to resettle in our burnt house and farm.I was lucky to receive money last week from Richardo which I used to pay school fees for my daughter. Thanks alot Richardo.

We are planning also to organize peace meetings with those affected by the clashes. The problem is that many people are scattered in different places after running away. With the airtime sent to me iam sure I will be able to mobilize them so that we can meet in a central place preferably within town centre which is convenient to them. The PoP champions can also come in handy here.

Otherwise Iam very glad to join holistichelping and hope we will do alot together in promoting peace and assisting each other. God bless you.

Ken Chelimo Eldoret

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fightingpeacefully/message/712

Sat Feb 2, 2008 7:25 pm

Wesley Chirchir:

DearAndrius,

On Wednesday the 30th January 2008, I in the company of Joseph Chumba, a peace animator for Eldoret North went out to meet with the youth who have for the last one month been barricading the roads along the Eldoret-Ziwa and Eldoret-Iten Road. We embarked on the journey knowing too well that the task of persuading the youth was tough and time consuming. We also knew that we would encounter a lot of resistance especially considering that the youth from this region have given one condition for peace; that unless justice prevails in the presidential tussle in Kenya, then they will not down their tools of violence.

So we started with Kuinet and Marura. We found the youth there taking turns in the road blocks. We introduced ourselves and thereafter began to discuss with their leaders. In Marura, we spoke to two leaders who were very adamant about clearing the road blocks. They said they could not afford to close down these barricades because of the constant rumors they receive on a daily basis. Most of the rumors were about the prospect of Mungiki being dropped by the Nation newspaper vans to some parts of Eldoret and western Kenya to rein terror on unsuspecting Kenyans. We requested to be shown the test messages and we actually confirmed more than 20 SMS containing such messages of impending attack on the people of western Kenya. We asked them to explain why they were extorting money from motorists and they said they were not getting any support from the community despite being there day in day out. They said they were volunteering their time and bravery and expected the people themselves to reciprocate by donating money, which they were not getting.

We informed them of our desire to engage in non violent means of resolving this conflict. Further we informed them of our intention to track down the origin of the SMS messages and really establish their authenticity. They agreed and indeed some of them alluded to only one incident when such a rumour has been proved correct. All the rest have been rumors only.

Finally we gave air time to 12 of them. I gave out two balls to them with the instructions that the should form a football team, where all youth from their neighborhood should be enlisted to play. THEY WERE VERY HAPPY.

But the following day, things turned out to be the worst. The MP for Ainamoi was killed by a trigger happy policeman in Eldoret town. Immediately the news went out on radio that he had been killed, hell broke loose in Eldoret. Shops were closed. The busy streets were suddenly secured by the police.

Meanwhile, the area around Eldoret including the two areas we had visited to dissuade the youth were immediately barricaded yet again. We have not even thought of going back because the tension is still high. No vehicles were allowed to move out of town and neither vehicle was allowed to move into town. Elsewhere in western province barricade were erected everywhere. Vehicles were burned and 6 people killed.

RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Eldoret is now becoming the epicenter of violence and in this case, it should be given a special coordination status with the undersigned being assigned the responsibility to coordinate all peace efforts here 2. That there is need to curve out peace clusters with peace animators to man these clusters and indeed take remedial action whenever some terrible incidents happens. 3. These volunteers will be reporting to me but also free to speak to any of the network partners on the obtaining security situation on the ground. 4. That air time needs to be send to them as and when they request so 5. that some consideration of a small stipend is given to them as an incentive

Thank you all for your understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Yours sincerely

WESLEY CHIRCHIR PO BOX 3713-30100 ELDORET, KENYA +254 722 992107

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/holistichelping/message/1838

WESLEY CHIRCHIR:

>Thank you for your update on the efforts being made by >several partners in Kenya and abroad to address the >huge and surging humanitarian crisis in our country.

>I wish to let you know that several peace resource >organizations within the North Rift region and parts >of western provice have come together and formed the >North Rift Post Elections Violence Response >Initiative, under the chairmanship of WESLEY CHIRCHIR, >who also doubles as the Chairman of Peace Network >North Rift region. One of the main objectives of this >body is to provide a REGIONAL COORDINATED MECHANISM >for all Civil Society Organizations wishing to work >and intervene in this crisis. Some of the members of >this committee include the World Vision, National >Christian Councils of Kenya (NCCK), the CATHOLIC >JUSTICE AND PEACE COMMISSION (CJPC) and Eldoret Town >and Environs Developemnt Association (ETEDA) among >others. > >As chairmn of this body, I represent all CSOs at the >inter-Agency Coordination meeting which convenes at >the District Commisioners office every week to review >and consider sector interventions within the IDP camp >and outreach programs. Presently we have several UN >agencies involved that include the WFP, UNICEF, IOM, >UNHCR, UNOCHA among others. > >Together with the peace actors, we have agreed to >formulate a joint project that will address this >crisis, with the biggest component being >physcho-social support to vulnerabel communities, >peace education in schools and peace and reconcialtion >dialogue sessions. The latter is a long term >intervention that will require the support and >commitment of all communities to the conflict, the >donor community and also the variou actors from >outside of our region. > >To this end, we are keen on welcoming all other >partners who wish to contribute to the normalisation >of relationships and healing within this region. We >therefore call upon all of you to liase with the >undersigned through cellphone no. 0722 992107, > >We are setting our office at the Catholic Church >Eldoret and once set up, we will give all the contact >details of our staff and office telephone number. > >We therefore welcome the Caravan for Peace initiave to >establish a viable partnership with us in this >regional peace enterprise. > >Welcome and Karibu > >WESLEY CHIRCHIR CHEBII >CHAIRMAN >NORTH RIFT POST ELECTION VIOLENCE RESPONSE INITIATIVE >PO BOX 3713 >ELDORET, KENYA

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fightingpeacefully/message/632

Wesley Chirchir: Since about three days ago, Eldoret town has returned to normalcy. The only fear and concern now in our region and I guess in the whole of Kenya is the collapse of the mediation process that was led by President Kufuor of Ghana. Majority of the people were not happy with this outcome and now they have promised to participate in the 3-day mass boycott announced by ODM, set to begin on Wednesday the 17th January 2008. If this boycott is not called off, it will again cause another serious security and criminal repercussions in our country. We hope and pray that this cycle of violence will not be allowed to continue.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/learningfromeachother/message/1449 Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:27 am

At the present time, I would like to go to Eldoret and the surrounding region as soon as possible to initiate a youth peace campaign. Eldoret is in one of the areas where ethnic friction has flared up (where many people fleeing violence were burned inside a church). I am hoping to get a ride in an emergency relief vehicle, as the public transportation is very unsafe at this time.

This is my plan:

1. Meet with the youth I met and worked with during the Peace Camel Caravan last year. It is from there then we can combine the youth with other youths with strong focus on peace from different communities for the campaign. 2. Talk to other youths individually to have numbers for a peaceful campaign and advocacy. 3. Organize creative art with children on the situation and what they see and what they think about it and what they would like to see. From the drawing we shall be able to have a picture of what is going through childrens' minds and thus plan the area of intervention. 4. We shall have a Peace Caravan, drawing participants from all the trip to show that we can live together. 5. I shall have a talk with women to encourage their husbands and sons to ask for justice in an active non-violent way. Don't look for justice when you can injustice to others.

At the moment that is my area of intervention. I have issued statements to youth through the media and been on a live talk show, but that is not enough, I wish to be part of the community, the better to intervene regarding peaceful approaches to the election issues and other challenges.

I estimate that I will need 60,000 Kenya Shillings ($1,000 Cdn) for the trip, including upkeep, logistics and art materials. Note: so far, Rachel has raised about $600.

Are there any organizations or individuals who can help with this at very short notice??

Once I am in Eldoret I will be able to assess the situation and start workng on the real peace campaign at the beginning of February. This year's Peace Caravan, planned for April (for which we already have some support), may change its focus to accommodate events on the ground as they unfold.

I am working with friends and colleagues in Kenya on this project, and also two friends based in Canada and the USA. Please feel free to contact any and/or all of us if interested! Thanks so much!

In the meantime, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that we have a number of casualties in hospitals and children whose parents lost every property they had in the week-long violence. Some of them lost their houses to fire and while others were completely looted. Some of them find it hard to run to the UN makeshift centers because they do fear meeting some for the people they fought with or those that participated in the war. Instead, they have decided to stay put with their relatives, friends and those daring ones have decided to stay in the destroyed houses.

Another problem is idleness of the youth in our area. Most of them are idling in market centers but with marked signs of disturbance arising from the violence they witnessed. They have shown significant signs of trauma and in this regard professional counselors have suggested we organize various port leagues and tournaments as away of drawing them together into common venues where they will be identified and hence remedial counseling is taken.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/globalvillages/message/3240

David Zarembka :

• Yesterday I saw a report from David Zarembka of the African Great

http://www.aglionline.org/&gt

Dear All,

Thanks for signing me up to this wonderful working group [FightingPeacefully]. I am looking forward to making a worthy contribution to peace in the western region through your valuable support.

I have received Kshs 10,000 from Denis and subsequently send the phone credits to the following;

• 1. JOHN METO- MOI UNIVERSITY & KESSES- 0721 921022
• 2. CHIRCHIR CHERUIYOT- ELDORET-ITEN ROAD-0720 598894
• 3. DORCAS KOSKEY- ELDORET EAST 0722 826104
• 4. JONATHAN CHESESIO- KEIYO DISTRICT- 0722698541
• 5. FRED YEGO- BURNT FOREST- 0722 422442

Thank you all and best regards

WesleyChirchir

+254 723 007 877 Amos Obwanga (recommended to us by Samwel Kongere) is in Eldoret, the city where the church was burned down with people inside. He explained the tribal situation that he faces. Amos and others of the Luo tribe have come to the region for work and they stay in the homes of Kikuyu landlords. The Kikuyus are surrounded by the Kalenjin tribe. Currently, some 1,500 Kalenjin youths want to drive out the Kikuyus and claim the land. They are threatening to burn down the houses to the ground. The surrounded people are well organized and able to sleep in shifts, some inside while the others guard outside. In the day the Kikuyu youths are more fearsome (especially on Monday and Tuesday) but at night they haven't yet managed to cause harm. They had problem crossing a river and also some police came to them and so they started retreating. But the police are not stationed there and so the people are vulnerable. They have almost nothing to eat because everything is closed except for one or two shops. The prices have doubled: a gallon of cooking charcoal was 20 shillings but now 50 shillings; sugar rose from 65 shillings to 80 and even 100 shillings; a 100 shilling phone card is now 150 shillings and a 50 shilling card is 100 shillings. They listen to the BBC news on the radio. He was very happy to get a phone call from an Italian in Nairobi. We spoke about encouraging dialogue by "looking at everything from the opponent's point of view". He was interested by the idea that he might engage the local Kikuyu leaders (who overwhelmingly supported the current president) to urge the President to call for an audit of the election results (which would immediately end the crisis). Likewise, I said that we can engage the Kalenjin community around the world to help us find local leaders who might post their telephone numbers and state their support for Kikuyus that they not be harmed in any way. There is, for example, http://www.kalenjin.net led by Kaplimo Hse +254 722 992 107 Who might engage them? -- Subsequently, AmosObwanga picked up the $100 we sent him and is OK.

+254 723 007 877 Amos Obwanga in Eldoret (recommended by Samwel Kongere). They are very much in danger. They are not safe. They are in an area that is barricaded and within which they are surrounded and there are many threats, especially what might happen at night. They need an escort.

• +254 721 719 976 Kefar Onyango in Eldoret (recommended by Amos Obwanga)
• +254 725 388 339 Alphons Nungo in Eldoret (recommended by Amos Obwanga)
• +254 727 671 847 Lilian Atieno in Eldoret (recommended by Amos Obwanga)

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Minneapolis, Minnesota, International Connections organized by International Leadership Institute and the Eldoret Forum.

Portsmouth, Virginia Portsmouth, Sister City in Kenya, to Renew Ties 1995

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• KenyansToCall=KennethChelimo +254 722 809 690, WesleyChirchir +254 722 992 107, Joseph Chumba +254 722 479 069, Singh Kisa +254 710 774 841, Michael Kipkoech, John Meto - Moi University & Kesses 0721 921022, Chirchir Cheruiyot Eldoret - Iten Road 0720 598894, Dorcas Koskey - Eldoret East 0722 826104, Jonathan Chesesio - Keiyo District- 0722698541, Fred Yego - Burnt Forest 0722 422442, +254 721 719 976 Kefar Onyango in Eldoret, +254 725 388 339 Alphons Nungo in Eldoret, +254 727 671 847 Lilian Atieno in Eldoret ,Edwin Tuigong Kiprop of Eldoret +254726339814,Sammy Chemwei +254 722402714;Policeman Bernad Muinde +254 722689996;Policeman Ondie +254 722256 299;Bishop Eli Rop+254 722 734926;Amazon Korir +254728975963
• LatestNewsFromKenya=KennethChelimo lost his house to arsonists, but he wants to help with our PyramidOfPeace. Wesley Chirchir: Eldoret town has returned to normalcy, but the situation is stil fragile;Wesley Chirchir: wish to let you know that several peace resource organizations within the North Rift region and parts of western provice have come together and formed the North Rift Post Elections Violence Response Initiative; WesleyChichir Feb2 Eldoret: Peace efforts sucessfull , youths on baricades engaged and they explained the positions and reasons for the blockades, but after a murder the situation again unstable;Eldoret Feb 6 Keneth Chellimo:I am writing from Eldoret and the situation here is now calm. Eldoret,Feb 12 - Sammy Chemwei and Kenneth Chelimo meet religious elders in Eldoret in preparation for a peace event,they have support from Ngo ,local radio stations and red cross;Ken Chelimo ,Eldoret, Feb 15 - Peace manifestation called Eldoret Pyramid of Peace held in Eldoret
• KenyanSisterCity=Ithaca, NewYork; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Comments

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 20:02:18 UTC NaomiJeruto: I AM ALSO VERY SYMPATHETIC BUT SUPPORTIVE OF YOUR WORK. HOW CAN I HELP?

AndriusKulikauskas January 10, 2008 7:28 CET Naomi, please sign up for our working group Holistic Helping, send a blank message to holistichelping-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or ask Andrius at ms@ms.lt and write about yourself. Also, send a text message to WesleyChirchir +254 722 992 107 or DennisKimambo +254 722 388 275 or SamwelKongere +254 725 600 439 or KennedyOwino +254 723 568 251 or others on this page: KenyansToCall and you can be part of our PyramidOfPeace.

Sat, 12 Jan 2008 22:53:53 UTC Meadowlea: I called Wesley Chirchir and Fred Yego. Fred is in need of air time, funds for accommodation (food, lodging, transport to and from meetings) for those who will be helping during the demonstrations. (Participation is requested in moving the demonstrators away from the free flow of transportation on the roads and to make the demonstrations as non-interruptive as possible. They do expect casualties and will be needing transport to hospitals.

For those in the camps, basic needs such as food are very much needed.

Fred was very grateful for the call as I was grateful to him for allowing us to assist him in any way possible. Fred sends his blessings.

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:08:05 UTC amazon korir: am also very sad with situation but i am also in position to lend a hand plz ma no-0728975963

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