The fight for a new constitution has been a long and difficult journey for all Kenyans alike. Since independence leaders and citizens of the Republic of Kenya have fought for a constitution that speaks for their rights, a constitution that is fair and just. A constitution that not only unites but also carries in appreciation of the great country Kenya.

August 4th 2010, marks a day in history when all Kenyans were united in one with a symbolic similarity of their left small finger or finger betweens painted black in indellible ink. Even though, there have been differences, with majority proposing and a minority opposing; Kenya has led by example by going through the referendum most peacefully.

The Civil Society Organizations Network (CSO Network) in collaboration with the Nyanza Youth Coalition (NYC) have engaged the masses in Western and Nyanza Provinces especially the youth in peaceful reforms. CSO Network with NYC has held rallies to educate the youth and has helped clear out any contentious issues as it amasses all registered voters to "Get their Vote Out" and participate in this historic event.

The landslide victory for the new constitution just show cases the Civil Society Organizations, stakeholders and the proud citizens of Kenya's great work and spirit for a reformed country. The following media show cases these efforts in voter education rallies and mobilization campaigns through out the better part of Western and Nyanza Provinces:

The debate on the long awaited constitution is finally over. It has been a really long wait before Kenyans can have a new constitution. The efforts for reform in the new constitution have been pioneered for more than 20 years by some of our leaders among the Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga. With the closing of manual voter registration centres this Sunday and electronic voter registration centres exactly a fortnight from today, the Attorney General will now publish the Proposed New Consitution of Kenya and distribute the copies to the Kenyan citizens to read in preparation of the Referendum which will fall between July and August this year.

Due to the post election violence witnessed in 2007 through to early 2008 and lack of will from members of the public the turn outs for voter registration has been low in areas most affected by the latter incident. Kenya being a country that has been in the struggle for reforms for over forty years and it is in this response that The Civil Society Organizations Network in collaboration with Nyanza Youth Coalition organized rallies to mobilize the people of Kenya to register as voters and urged the public to pertake in their democratic right to vote for a new constitution in the referendum. Copies of the draft will be published by the Attorney General and CSOs responsibility in the sector mandates its participation in civic education and clarification to communities on the contentious issues.

The following photos highlight the CSO Network's efforts to mobilize the public to register as voters and to participate in the referendum that will bring change to the Constitutional Review Process:

 

The Proposed Constitution of Kenya formulated by the Committee of Experts with contributions from The People of Kenya has several clauses addressing the issues of Women and Youth. The proposed constitution gives women opportunities for more representation in Parliament and also their rights to ownership of land. This draft also gives the youth opportunities for representation in parliament and local governement thereby increasing their avenues to transform the country to a better position for development. Moreover, this proposed constitution of Kenya is not prejudice in any way, it gives the disabled opportunities for representation in parliament, breaking communication barriers by providing communication media like sign language and braille.

Not more than two weeks ago the Ministry of Education has been the spotlight for the media as concerns the Free Primary Education Funds. There have been allegations that the FPE funds have been missing under the watch of Honorable Sam Ongeri the Minister of Education and his Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi.

In the limelight of these corruption allegations Prof. Ongeri dismissed the American Ambassador to Kenya and the British High Commisioner. Stating that the funds are not missing and that they have enough funds to continue the program even if the American and British government cut off their support to the Free Primary Education Programme.

The wrangles have also revived the Maize saga when the Education Minister mentioned that the Prime Minister should lead by example and should first step down since there are allegations that he was involved in the Maize scandal.

In recent news the Prime Minister and President Kibaki have publicly differed in the decisions to suspend the Education Minister Prof. Ongeri and the Agriculture Minister Hon. William Ruto. The Right Honorable Prime Minister Raila Odinga struck first by handing a three month suspension to Prof. Ongeri and Hon. William Ruto inorder that they pave way for investigation into the corrupt dealings within their ministries.

Within hours, the President rescinded the Prime Minister's suspension of Ongeri and Ruto revealing fresh cracks in the Grand Coalition Government in its fight against corruption. Raila quote sections in the Constitution that give him power to send Ministers packing and as a provision in the National Accord that requires the two principals to confide in each other when making decisions on the government.

This action is a product of wide consultations within Government

- Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga.

There has been no consultation between the President and the PM on suspension of the ministers,

- President Kibaki.

The above quotations from the two principals highlight the faceoff between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila.

The PSC has finally come to an end of their 11 day meeting to resolve cross-party contentious issues in the Harmonized Draft. The 26 member ensemble from both ODM and PNU political fronts has enjoyed support from a majority for the work they have done on the Committee of Experts draft. The Parliamentary Select Committee handed over its report to the experts last Friday. Who will take up the responsibility to provide Kenyans a new constitution according to the Constitution Review process.

The CoE begins its meetings tomorrow to consider MPs recommendations which though welcomed by many, also have their share of critics.

I agree with you that the number for MPs may be too big for our economy, and I hope that the CoE will pay attention to this. Let them use their expertise and come up with a figure that all Kenyans are comfortable with,

said the Prime Minister Hon. Raila Odinga.

Being that the Members of Parliament are not liable to be taxed on their salaries. The Committee of Experts should look into a draft that is not only wananchi friendly but is also comfortable to the pockets of the Kenyan tax payers.

What is your position on the draft? And what recommendations do you have for the Committee of Experts. Head over to the CSO Katiba Yetu Blog and post your opinions.

The Parliamentary Select Committee yesterday came to a consensus on the type of government. Kenya will have a powerful president whose authority will be checked by Parliament, The Judiciary and Regional Governments. Furthermore, the margin between the Executive and Parliament has been widened - Cabinet Ministers will be Experts and will not be Members of Parliament.

This arrangement was agreed upon on Wednesday night by the PSC on the Constitution meeting at theGreat Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha.

Apart from the Executive, the committee will today also delve into the chapters on the Legislature, representation, the Judiciary and devolution. This will continue through to Wednesday. No formal announcement of the decision has been made and the information about the agreement was obtained through media interviews of MPs attending the session.

The meeting is covered by parliamentary rules and and members are barred from revealing discussions. This could be a significant point in Kenya's journey to get a new constitution. But what does it mean? You can head over to the CSO Katiba Yetu Blog and post your opinions.

Again, what does it mean? Take a look at the following table in comparison of the pros and cons of each governance system:

Pros and Cons of the Parliamentary and Presidential System

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM		PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM
Pros: Faster and easier to pass laws Even spread of power Stronger party discipline Clear lines of responsibility		Pros: Direct mandate and legitimacy through elections Clear separation of powers between Executive, Legislature and Judiciary Speed in making important decisions A fixed term provides for more stability
Cons: The government is divided Minority rights are not guaranteed More susceptible to coalitions		Cons: Can easily turn into a dictatorship Less accountability as three arms engage in blame game Not easy to change leadership

Now that Kenya might have a presidential system. Let us take a look at how the system works.

How the Presidential System works.

• The President is the Head of State and Head of Government
• Office holder is elected directly by the voters
• He/She appoints cabinet, even from outside parliament
• President has powers to deploy military and declare war
• Clear separation of the powers of the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary

The constitutional review process has so far been a successful activity for the Civil Society and other stake holders alike. From the Committee of Experts and opinions from the Kenyan citizens the ball has now been passed to the Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Honorable Mohamed Abdikadir. The PSC will start discussions on the most trivial and contentious sections of the draft, including the Executive which has put divisions in politicians and Kenyans.

Debate has been on whether to have a Hybrid System with a Prime Minister sharing power with a President or the Parliamentary System with one powerful head in office checked by other institutions.

Apart from the Executive, the committee will today also delve into the chapters on the Legislature, representation, the Judiciary and devolution. This will continue through to Wednesday.

In the Harmonized Draft Constitution there is a proposition of a two chamber parliament, two levels of devolution and reforms in the Judiciary. It is now up to the members of parliament to reach to an agreement and give Kenyans hope in the long struggle for a new constitution.

The 5 day retreat sessions will be moderated by the PSC chairman Mohammed Abdikadir. It is the mwananchi’s hope that the committee will reach a solid agreement on all issues which have been causing division in the country by Friday.

Kenyans are waiting with bated breath to see white smoke billow from this conference room, said the Assistant PSC chairman Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba. It is no exception to the PSC to have white smoke billow from the conference and the committee must place their differences apart and focus on a mwananchi perspective on the need of a new constitution.

It comes with no surprise that our MPs are usually in agreement when it comes to matters that see to their increase in salary and not matters that curtail taking away their privileges.

The 2012 elections are just around the corner and Kenyans are looking to a new constitution for once. Several PSC’s have been established since 1992 to be exact this PSC headed by Mohammed Abdikadir will be the fifth. MPs should break the jinx of failure and offer Kenyans a new constitution.

The PSC retreat is also made up of parliamentary staff drawn from the research and legal departments of the House. The political parties ODM and PNU also have their secretariat in the talks.

The constitutional review process has so far been a successful activity for the Civil Society and other stake holders alike. From the Committee of Experts and opinions from the Kenyan citizens the ball has now been passed to the Parliamentary Select Committee chaired by Honorable Mohamed Abdikadir. The PSC will start discussions on the most trivial and contentious sections of the draft, including the Executive which has put divisions in politicians and Kenyans.

Debate has been on whether to have a Hybrid System with a Prime Minister sharing power with a President or the Parliamentary System with one powerful head in office checked by other institutions.

Apart from the Executive, the committee will today also delve into the chapters on the Legislature, representation, the Judiciary and devolution. This will continue through to Wednesday.

In the Harmonized Draft Constitution there is a proposition of a two chamber parliament, two levels of devolution and reforms in the Judiciary. It is now up to the members of parliament to reach to an agreement and give Kenyans hope in the long struggle for a new constitution.

The 5 day retreat sessions will be moderated by the PSC chairman Mohammed Abdikadir. It is the mwananchi's hope that the committee will reach a solid agreement on all issues which have been causing division in the country by Friday.

Kenyans are waiting with bated breath to see white smoke billow from this conference room,

said the Assistant PSC chairman Budalangi MP Ababu Namwamba.

It is no exception to the PSC to have white smoke billow from the conference and the committee must place their differences apart and focus on a mwananchi perspective on the need of a new constitution.

It comes with no surprise that our MPs are usually in agreement when it comes to matters that see to their increase in salary and not matters that curtail taking away their privileges.

The 2012 elections are just around the corner and Kenyans are looking to a new constitution for once. Several PSC's have been established since 1992 to be exact this PSC headed by Mohammed Abdikadir will be the fifth. MPs should break the jinx of failure and offer Kenyans a new constitution.

The PSC retreat is also made up of parliamentary staff drawn from the research and legal departments of the House. The political parties ODM and PNU also have their secretariat in the talks.

The Police Reforms Implementation Committee was formed with a mandate to address problems facing the police force and to institute reforms on the same. The reforms which have a time line of four years will attract a budget of KShs 81.4 million

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti told the PRIC team headed by Kenya Airways CEO Titus Nakuni to ensure timely implementation of the report that set the framework of the reforms.

The Minister urged the committee to address the problems in the Police Force within a year.

There is urgency in these reforms because we will have problems if we fail to fix them now. I would want them through within a year if possible.

Professor Saitoti further said the PRIC will be the pillar in implementing the reforms asking it's members among others fast track the review of the force.

Who are the other members?

The PRIC gazetted by President Mwai Kibaki last week will work on the implementation of the reforms through recommendations contained in the Ransley report. The other members in the committee include:

1. Justice Sarah Ondeyo
2. Mr. Macharia Njeru
3. Secretaries in Internal Security
4. Office of the Prime Minister
5. Justice and Finance Ministries
6. Commissioner of Police
7. Administration Police Commandant
8. Kenya Law Reform Commission Chairman
9. KIPPRA Chief Executive Officer
10. Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chairperson
11. NSIS Director General
12. Mr. Victor Okioma and Mr. Musyimi will be joint Secretaries

The Attorney General Amos Wako urged the PRIC to focus on the drawbacks in the Criminal Justice System which he said is impeding service delivery. The Attorney General mentioned the need of a Forensic Laboratory to help in investigations.

The Kenya Airways CEO termed the force challenging and called for patience as the committe goes to work. Mr. Naikuni's team will also be responsible for mobilizing resources for implementation of the reforms and develop a communication strategy to enhance support, engagement and participation of stakeholders

The Police force will reap the first benefits of the proposed reforms at the end of this month when they get their allowances arrears amounting to KShs. 400 million inclusive of a Medical Insurance Cover.

The United States government is also pleased with the reforms in the Police and the Constitutional Review. The US Ambassador Michael Ranneberger mentioned that the US President Obama's administration was happy with the progress on Agenda Four reforms but empasized on more to be done.

In as much we were commented by the US government on the progress made on the Police and Constitutional reforms, officials are unhappy little has been achieved in the War on Graft and the trial of Post Election Violence perpetrators. This is in light of Parliaments failure to legislate for a special tribunal for the PEV suspects. The ICC is independently pursuing the matter and ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo has presented Kenya's case before the Pre-Trial Chamber.

Ambassador Ranneberger said the delegation would attend meetings in the Congress, The Deparment of State and the White House for a week with a view to build up the reform Agenda. Ranneberger also highlighted the US governments commitment through the project to listen and partner with Kenya to seek reforms.

US Ambassador said,

We are encouraging young people to participate in the democratization process. We are not playing politics. We have been doing this for a long time only that this time, it is high profile.

Tuesday 1st December 2009 marks the World AIDS Marathon 2009. Before I delve into what this event is about, let me take you through a brief history of the Marathon.

History

World AIDS Day was first conceived in 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept and agreed that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be December 1, 1988.

Bunn suggested the date of December 1st to ensure coverage by western news media, something he believed was vital to the success of World AIDS Day. He felt that because 1988 was an election year in the U.S. media outlets would be weary of their post-election coverage and eager to find a fresh story to cover. Bunn and Netter felt that December 1st was long enough after the election and soon enough before the Christmas holidays that it was, in effect, a dead spot in the news calendar and thus perfect timing for World AIDS Day.

Bunn, originally a reporter covering the epidemic for KPIX-TV in San Francisco, along with producer Nancy Saslow, also conceived and initiated “AIDS Lifeline” - a public awareness and health education campaign that was syndicated to television stations in the U.S. "AIDS Lifeline" was honored with a Peabody Award, a local Emmy, and the first National Emmy ever awarded to a local station. On June 18, 1986 the “AIDS Lifeline” project was honored with a Presidential Citation for Private Sector Initiatives, presented by President Ronald Reagan. Bunn was then asked by Dr. Mann, on behalf of the U.S. government, to take a two-year leave-of-absence from his reporting duties to join Dr. Mann (an epidemiologist for the Centers for Disease Control) in the creation of the Global Programme on AIDS. Mr. Bunn accepted and was named the first Public Information Officer for the Global Programme on AIDS. Along with Mr. Netter he created, designed, and implemented the inaugural World AIDS Day observance – now the longest-running disease awareness and prevention initiative of its kind in the history of public health.

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) became operational in 1996, and it took over the planning and promotion of World AIDS Day. Rather than focus on a single day, UNAIDS created the World AIDS Campaign in 1997 to focus on year-round communications, prevention and education.

In its first two years, the theme of World AIDS Day focused on children and young people. These themes were strongly criticized at the time for ignoring the fact that people of all ages may become infected with HIV and suffer from AIDS. But the themes drew attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease, and helped boost recognition of the problem as a family disease.

Choosing the theme

This years World AIDS Day theme will remain the same as last years: "Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise", with a new sub-theme. This is because the Worlds AIDS Day theme was pre-chosen by the World AIDS Campaign's Global Steering Committee after extensive consultation with people, organizations and government agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. From its inception until 2004, UNAIDS spearheaded the World AIDS Day campaign, choosing annual themes in consultation with other global health organizations. The current World AIDS Day theme will run through to 2010. These overarching theme was chosen to encourage political leaders to keep their commitmentr to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support.

The Civil Society Organization has been actively involved in the World Aids Marathon and this year is no exception. We are inviting all interested participants to register and take a worthy course in the fight against HIV/AIDS and keep fit at the same time

To register and participate in the World AIDS Marathon 2009 visit our offices at:

The Committee of Experts on the Constitutional Review have released its harmonized draft for public debate. All eyes are riveted on the Kenyatta International Conference Centre where the event kicked of from 10 am this Tuesday, 17th November 2009. This proposed draft has been dubbed "Harmonized" since it borrows a lot from the past drafts which include the Bomas, Kilifi and the Wako documents. Today marks a new era and could be the defining moment in Kenya's 20 year old struggle for reforms in the constitution. Significant changes in the current constitution include the appeal of Section 2A by the former president Hon. Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi and in 2005 Kenya came close to having a new constitution when the highly politicized Wako Draft was subjected to a referendum.

Some of the reasons why the Wako draft was rejected heavily included lack of awareness. However, the Constitutional Review Process by the COE has been a collaborative process where major stakeholders: Kenyans, have been called upon to take part by debating and making submissions on the draft for the next 30 days after which their reviews wil be taken into consideration in later drafts.

Executive power still remains a sticking point with the main coalition partners haggling over whether Kenya should have a presidential system or a premiership. Some of the proposals which shall be subjected to a 30 day public debate include the following:

• The President to perform functions that relate to the State while the Prime Minister will chair the Cabinet.
• In curing rival ethnic leanings, the top four officials - President, Deputy President, Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister will come from different regions or different ethnic communities
• The draft will seek to ensure that a third of the House is made up of women MPs, that is 74 seats reserved for women.
• Set up a 100 member Senate Chamber of Parliament which will sit in Nairobi but draw membership from the regions it seeks to establish.
• Increase the number of constituencies from 210 to 284 and reserve between five or six seats for groups of special interest.
• Retain eight regions proposed along the current provinces but create 74 counties.
• Nairobi residents to directly elect their members while those from other regions fall under Governors.

For further information on the Harmonized Draft visit www.coekenya.go.ke. Submissions can be sent through email info@coekenya.go.ke, post or delivered to:

You can refer to the Harmonized Draft Constitution below:

The 21st day of November, 2009 has been marked on calendars by all fisherfolks around the Lake Victoria Region. The Ministry of Fisheries, Indigineous Fishers Peoples Network, Civil Society Organization Network, NGOs, CSOs and local participants will come together in celebration of The World Fisheries Day East Africa in Bondo District, Nyanza-Kenya. This years World Fisheries Day East Africa will engage participants and other fishery stake holders in East Africa in transboundary issues that have culminated in the recent past. Lake Victoria is an East African shared life resource and the diversity of the communities benefiting from it should be respected. Indigenous fishing communities should be strengthened, protected and their rights respected.

In appreciation of this day, a free exhibition, from 19th to the 21st of November, will be hosted to highlight cultural importance, best shared practices and private sector interest related to the fishing industry and fisher peoples.

Stalls will be provided free of charge to exhibitors by the Ministry of Fisheries Department. In light of this, we are requesting all willing exhibitors to bring in-kind contributions such as: sodas, bottled water, prizes for various competition winners and IEC materials from your organizations. If interested, please contact Kate Darlington or Samantha Wilde by November 6th with the following information:

1. a brief description of your organization and what you will be exhibiting
2. how much space you will need
3. and if you will be able to provide any in-kind contributions.

For further information on this event, please contact:

The taskforce headed by Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley presented an interim report to the president on 26th August 2009. While presenting the report, the taskforce reiterated that visible changes had to be instituted within the police force as this is the only option to gain public confidence.

Some of the proposals included:

1. Changes at the senior level positions of the force – “comprehensive staff suitability review process for officers of the rank of the assistant commissioner of police.
2. New appraisal system to rid the force of corrupt officers.
3. Creation of institutions to enhance checks and balances within the force; some of them are to be entrenched in the constitution eg Police Service Commission and Civilian Police Oversight and Complaints Authority. These institutions shall handle distinct role in recruitment and handling public complaints.
4. Moratorium on mass transfers and removal of roadblocks unless extremely justifiable.

The taskforce has up to 31st September to finalize and present its final report.

The disjointed messages from the diverse quarters within the government has resulted into public confusion thus diminishing public trust of the government effort towards the Mau conservation. In a country where at times politics has its ways over critical issues that impact on the livelihood of the citizenry, the Mau conservation has continued to face political confrontations at the expense of real issues.

Notable among the conflicting issues are the timeframe for eviction. Whereas the prime minister’s office having given a grace period of three months the Kenya Forest Service in a paid advert had given a notice for 14 days. What’s more perplexing is that the Minister of Wildlife and Forestry also disowning the notice from his docket blaming his permanent secretary.

Secondly, it’s true that compensation is key and therefore the government must categorically state whether the settlers shall be compensated before or after the eviction process. But what is on the public limelight is that the compensation fund was never factored in this year’s financial budget and that some development actors who it was felt could fund it have developed cold feet insisting that the Mau is a Kenyan issue that requires local resources to be sorted out.

Without the political interference, the process might have taken a different dimension; just a replica of what had been done before within other water catchments areas and forest lands. Critical issues that should be noted are that:

1. Mau eviction and conservation is a national not political party issues as some of the ODM members have made it look. Its a government initiative period.
2. Compensation is very critical though I’m cautious on this. The reason is that there have been some squatters who had been evicted from other forest land and were never compensated. Why this bias. If compensation shall be a reality then the government needs to develop a comprehensive approach to this.

The Kenya Meteorological Department Director Mr. Joseph Muhabala while releasing its report on 26th August informed Kenyans to expect heavy down pour in most parts of the country between October and January 2010. The heavy rains shall be concentrated in Western and Nyanza Provinces as well as parts of Rift Valley, Coast and Nairobi.

In as much as this may be an opportunity towards sorting some of the problems that the country currently face eg lack of food and power rationing; the adequate rainfall shall be sufficient for raising the water levels in most of the reservoirs.

However, negative effects may be faced due to the fact that most of the land is bear hence potential for massive erosion. It’s thus important that appropriate strategies should be put in place before the down pour begins in October. Kenyans would not wish to hear of flooding in Budalangi, Kano etc resulting into displacement of people and destruction of property. The relevant government should thus focus their energies on reinforcing the dykes should before October begins.

The International Youth Week has come and past and CSO Network for Western and Nyanza Provinces in collaboration with the Nyanza Youth Coalition held a peaceful Nyanza Youth Unemployment Rally. Thousands of youth participated in a massive march through the street of Kisumu City demanding sustainable youth livelihood opportunities. This was an opportunity for the youth to strongly drive through their message that youth unemployment has reached an unacceptable level.

This also demonstrated the ability of Kisumu youth to push through their agenda without causing any chaos.

The participants petitioned the Government, private sector and the Civil Society to work together with the youth to develop and implement a strategy to not only boost provincial economic growth but also ensure the increase of decent and sustainable employment opportunities.

However the youth resolved that incase the government and the private sector fails to implement their recommendations then they will continually engage in peaceful mass actions.

The following photos highlight the entire procession:

The tenth world's children's prize is here. The World's Children's Prize for The Rights of The Child is awarded to three individuals or organisations for outstanding contributions on behalf of the rights of the child. The election of finalists is structured as a worldwide educational and empowerment process for the rights of the child and democracy and gives the world’s children an opportunity to present the prizes that are awarded for the outstanding contributions presented by these individuals and organizations.
The children have an opportunity to learn about and demand respect for their rights, meet role models fighting for these rights, and take part in the Global Vote. The prize sums are used in support of economically disadvantaged children. Nearly 50,000 schools with 21.5 million students in 94 countries are registered as Global Friend schools of the WCPRC, including millions of students from the vulnerable situations. Students at these schools are entitled to vote in the "Global Vote" - an election to decide the recipient of one of the prizes: the Global Friends' Award. In the Global Vote 2008 6.6 million children voted.

The other major prize, the World's Children's Prize, is awarded by an international Children's Jury. The children on the jury are selected as experts in the field of children's rights through their own first-hand experiences as child soldiers, slaves, and refugees.

Three candidates are put forward each year. The World's Children's Honorary Award goes to the finalist who does not receive either the Global Friends' Award or World's Children's Prize. All three prize laureates receive part of the prize money to use for their work on behalf of the rights of the child.

WCPRC was founded by Swedish organisation Children's World, but is open to all schools and organisations in the world. There are more than 500 Adult Friend organisations in some 40 countries, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), departments of education. and media projects supporting the WCPRC. Adults (organisations, companies, and individuals) may support WCPRC as Adult Friends and may also nominate prize candidates.

The Globe

The Globe is the prize magazine and is produced in 11 different languages including Arabic and Farsi (Persian). The magazine is distributed to countries all over the world so that the children can read and learn about children's rights and role models who continue to fight for these rights. Photos, inspirational stories and comic strips depicting the struggle of the rights of the child are presented in multipage full color making it very attractive and fun to read. Click Here, to download a digital copy of The Globe in your language of choice.

Being a WCPRC nominee

Children, adulst and organizations can be nominated for WCPRC. Self-nominations are not accepted. All Global Friends and Adult Friends may submit nominations. All children under 18 whose school becomes a Global Friend can take part in the global vote for the Global Friends' Award. For more information on becoming a Global Friend, Click Here.

To get more information on how to become an Adult Friend, Click Here.

For information on how to nominate a candidate for The World's Children's Prize for the Rights of The Child, Click Here.

Prize Laureates

Click Here for detailed information on the former prize winners.

The Civil Society Organization for Western and Nyanza Provinces put forth a quorum to discuss the contensious issues set out by the Committee of Experts on the Constitution Review. Time is running out for implementation of reforms and as such CSO Network a major stakeholder in the civil society sector took it upon itself to help ensure that Kenyans get a constituion that will surely change lives for the better. The Contentious Issues are as follows:

1. System of governance
2. Devolution of power
3. Transition

The Civil Society Organization organized a capacity building workshop for the Victoria Boda Boda SACCO so that it could provide more products and increase the quality of their services. The SACCO was formed and registered as a Savings and Credit Society to help mobilize local resources and strengthen the concept of Savings as a tool for increasing income generating activities that would generate higher financial benefits.

The workshop begun with a word of prayer from one or more of the participants followed by the facilitators opening remark, who thanked all the participants for sparing time to attend.

Objectives of the Workshop

• Equiping the participants with all the fundamental skills appertain to management of the SACCO
• Response to challenges the SACCO has been facing
• Clear definition of members roles within the SACCO

Areas Covered

Meaning of the term SACCO Management Structure Financial Security Types of Co-operatives Principles of Co-operatives

SACCO By-Laws Business Plan Financial Book Keeping Impacts of Co-operatives Sustainability

Work Plan Cash Purchase Limit Staffs Reports Investement Opportunities

The post election crisis in Kisumu-that started at the end of December 2007 with spontaneous demonstrations, looting and riots following the announcement of the disputed results-took a new turn in mid January as reports reached the town that people indigenously from Nyanza Province but residing , trading and/or working in other Provinces especially Central, Nairobi and some parts of Rift Valley like Nakuru and Naivasha were violently attacked, property looted or burnt, and were crudely murdered using machetes and other rudimentary weapons.

Thousands of “returnees” flowed into the province using any available means of transport. Members of the civil society, politicians, business community and church leaders, in response to public distress calls, sent out buses and lorries to collect the affected in Kisumu. These provided immediate basic food, health and overnight stay for those who had sought refuge at police stations, churches and other camps in volatile towns like Nakuru, Naivasha, Nyeri, Nyahururu and Tigoni.

It is estimated that more than 100,000 people who previously worked or traded in these towns moved to Kisumu and other parts of Nyanza, most of them coming back destitute after their family members were brutally killed and property torched. The harrowing stories of cruelty meted against them heightened the tribal tension, with local masses threatening to undertake revenge attack on the few remaining IDPs still camping within the province or those who had returned in light of the National Accord and formation of the Grand Coalition Government.

The Civil Society and relief agencies responded to the crisis by establishing two transitory camps, shelter for the returnees as arrangements were being made for their transportation to their ancestral villages in various parts of the province.

On arrival in Nyanza, the “returnees” faced serious social and economic problems. Some came back as fourth or even fifth generations of migrants who went to work in far towns or large scale plantation areas such as Naivasha.

They therefore had no homes-no land and no shelter-to return to. Again, most of these people were skilled and cultured to work within urban economies and were therefore not able to integrate easily into the rural economies, whose opportunities are also overstretched. The educational infrastructure in rural Nyanza is not only inadequate in terms but also poor in quality.

The flow of “returnees” into the villages therefore had a strain on the facilities. Health care is not available within walking distances in most of the rural parts of Nyanza. Sick “returnees” especially women, children and those who are living positively with HIV/AIDS virus therefore faced serious difficulties in getting treatment and accessing the necessary drugs, such as Anti-retroviral (ARVs).

For this matter, a number of “returnees” opted not to travel back to the rural areas but rather to settle in Kisumu City. Thousands of returnees from outside Nyanza Province who were transported back to their rural areas within the province trooped back to urban centers, especially Kisumu.

Most of these returnees opted to stay with relatives-mostly in the poor neighbourhoods of Nyalenda, Manyatta, Obunga, Bandani and Kaloleni slums.

Some of the factors that reportedly pushed the returnees out of their ancestral homes, pulling them to large urban centers like Kisumu include:

• Social factors and the desire to break away from traditional constraints of social organizations within the villages, a number of them having been born and brought up within urban and/or cosmopolitan centers.
• Physical and demographic factors such as harsh drought and the competition for resources and opportunities brought about by high population growth.
• Employment factors and the need to be absorbed into the formal and urban informal sector.

Last year like the previous years, the CSO Network working with Safe Water and Aids Programme, Tuungane Project, CDC and the Brodsky Foundation, organized the Kisumu World Aids Marathon 2007 under the Banner of the Kisumu World Aids Marathon Group.

There were 42 and 21kms Marathon run and a 2km walk for children. We also had 3 junior runners who completed 11kms.

This annual globally recognized day-1st of December, brought together volunteer organizations like Aga Khan Hospital, St Johns Ambulance, Red Cross Society of Kenya, who all made sure that the over 150 runners were well taken care of. Support for the event came from Mon Amie, Manumarc Enterprises, Janivo Foundation, CDC with technical support from Joseph Ochieng and Alan Rubin. Gratitude also goes to all the different youth groups who managed the 42 stations and all those who shared their stories, songs, poems and challenges they have overcome to still live positively despite being HIV+.

Last years Marathon was flagged off by Sarah Obama who also officially opened the children’s recreation center at the Jomo Kenyatta Grounds. Planning this years Marathon begins in June.

Operation Rudi Nyumbani, an initiative set up by the Government under the Ministry of Special Programmes, made lofty promises to Internally Displaced persons that it has not fulfilled.

Its operations has seen the transfer of displaced persons from camps to where they were displaced from or to new stations, compliments of a compensation programme meant to help them start a new life.

For a majority of the returnees in Nyanza and Western Province, Operation Rudi Nyumbani remains a pipe dream.

It is the hope of majority that in 2009, the Ministry of Special Programmes will put in place a framework that will ensure that all displaced persons benefit from this scheme.

Otherwise people will continue to question the success it claims to have achieved, especially when a majority of the current beneficiaries remain unhappy and skeptical.

We hope 2009 will see a more serious, coordinated, fair and equitable intervention and framework put in place to address this thorny issue.

There is no doubt that what the country witnessed at the beginning of 2008 was dismal and will most certainly remain traumatizing. Our country has over the years continued to ignore the signs that all is not well. Corruption, impunity, injustice and gross human rights abuses have been a part of our lives. It has reached a level where we attest to such injustices as "regular accidents” to explain our lack of ensuring safety on the roads, “regular robbery” or “normal crime”, to explain insecurity or worse still “common clan fights” to explain ethnic clashes. One is bound to ask what is considered “not common” or “not regular”. Do you still wonder why we have no faith in out institutions? One year down the line we ask ourselves what has changed. There is still corruption, injustices abound with massive impunity. The last quarter of 2008 was marked by parliamentarians bickering about the proposed Grand Opposition, powers of the Prime Minister, findings of the Waki and Kreigler Commissions while positioning themselves for 2012. All the while, tribal tensions still exist, displaced persons are still camping in unhygienic conditions, compensation is flawed and the coalition government is still dithering on setting up the tribunal to investigate the crimes committed during the Post Election Violence. It must examine land issues with a view to instituting land reforms and critically analyze the effect of our legal systems and structures and their impact on governance and justice; the view being to improve public services and management of the public finances. It cannot and will not be business as usual! Kenyans are getting impatient and have nothing to cheer about. They have made it very clear that they want change. The demonstrations and protests witnessed in November and December 2008 over the cost of food and fuel, rolling back of democratic gains on media freedom and refusal of MPs to pay taxes was not a coincidence. We have already seen the early warning signs of a brewing storm. How prepared do you think our government is to read the writing on the wall? Can they read the signs of an impatient citizenry!