Follow-up To Naivasha Negotiations

More good news!
The Nairobi team headed to Naivasha on a follow-up trip which yielded positive results and those involved have agreed to take more giant steps towards a peaceful coexistence and expeditiously get the IDPs back home.
There is a definite commitment to solving the immediate problems and that can only lead to a final resolution. It's hoped that the obviously absent local and national leaders will cease their squabbling and serve their employers i.e. wananchi. They must follow Rachel and her team's lead and deal with the looming health crisis at the IDP camps.

Rachel reports as follows.

Trip To Naivasha

The Naivasha meeting was very positive with a team of 5 visiting the area, the acknowledgement and confirmation of all the promises were done after the introduction of the group which was gender sensitive. (unblocking the roads and the press release)\

Team from Nairobi

1. Rachel Wambui Kungu 0721626389 www.peace-caravan.org
2. Kennedy Owino 0723568251
3. Lawrence Wachira 0727416042
4. Perpetua Warutere 0720737693
5. David Mutua 0720462559

the issues were

• Repatriation of the idps to their home area
• discussion with the landlords for house renovation and acceptance of the other communities.
• unemployment
• youth empowerment
• formation of a grassroot peace intiative for the youth.

It was noted with concern that the youth in Naivasha wish the idps in the prison to be taken back to there home area which is also the case to the community at the prisons. thay proposed that a fundraising to be organised in order to ferry the affected to there homes, and those in the prison to also contribute as a sign they are open to go back home and the Naivasha youth will organise for there transport. they also requested that those who are concerned opposition and the government to also look into it.

Reason for repatriation

• The IDPS wish to go back to there homes now

• the camps sanitaion are at risk and causing health hazard and they fear there might disease outbreak which could also spread to the community

• that they go and be educated that owning a property is a right to all Kenyans and that it is owned through hardwork and not b taking it by force

• that they go home where they will find justice since they say they want justice which is not available in Naivasha etc

The youth said they will in return be preparing the landlords to receive the community when they come back to Naivasha after education, and the landlords will have time to renovate there houses which were either burnt or windows broken or doors removed.

They also spoke of youth empowerment and in that regard requested for Naivasha youth for peace identity which is tshirts with the messages they are goingto develop for peace to be printed by one of the youth group in Naivasha which does that for an income generating activities.

the youth agreed to form a Naivasha youth peace initiative group and they selected the people who will take care of the registration of the same group and come up with a name. That is good achievement as a campaign we always carry through of group formation at the grassroot level.

The Naivasha youth agreed for a dialogue and we proposed a teleconferencing which will not be expensive and the team agreed that we send a proposal to Safaricom limited with the request for airtime and some financial assistance to make the teleconferencing a reality soon. then we shall contact Safaricom Foundation for the Peace Caravan which will be an evaluation and monitoring tool for the grassroot peace initiatives taking place in different areas.


PEACE CENTER

The Naivasha Youth agreed on the idea of a peace centre and said the group they are registering would like to have a meeting point where they can be using as peace advocates in Naivasha and youth empowerment. the two or their representatives will avail there email addresses so that they can be available for online discussions. they are:
1. Sammy
2. Ciru 0721 332528 also a victim of the violence but this time a leader

Again, Rachel and her team are on the ground taking risks and working tirelessly towards patching together our torn nation. Readers, please help in any way you can and you can be sure that your gifts will be reciprocated with blessings.
The most important thing is to give them any kind of encouragement to keep up the good fight through phone calls and emails plus any kind of financial support will not hurt either.
Communication between team members and with the Naivasha youth is paramount so airtime donations are invaluable to the peace initiative and it's sustenance.

Thank you and I will post updates as they come.