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Friday, January 18, 2008

Press Statement: By the Professionals and Business Forum for Peace

Video footage of policeman shooting and killing unarmed protestor in Kisumu.

18th January
Statement by the Professionals and Business Forum for Peace on the ongoing violence

“NO to deaths and destruction of property”

Who we are?
Ladies and gentlemen, we members of the Professionals and Business Forum for Peace (PBFP) would like to call for an immediate end to the current killings, destruction of property and disruption of business in the country. PBFP is a non partisan body bringing together business and professional organizations in the country to press for a solution to the current national crisis.

Background: What is happening?
The past few weeks have witnessed loss of lives, property and injuries at unprecedented levels. We would like to categorically say a resounding “NO” to these criminal acts.

The business community and professionals have suffered immensely following the eruption of post election violence in the country. The losses accruing have affected the entire country and resulted in job losses.

The economy stands to lose even more if this violence continues and peace is not restored in the country soon. It is unfortunate that what the country took decades to build is being destroyed within a few weeks.


What we Propose?

Dialogue: We would like to call upon the protagonists across the political divide, Hon. Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki to engage in immediate dialogue.

Stop Mass Action: We realize that meaningful dialogue can only happen in a peaceful atmosphere. While mass action is not necessarily bad, what we are witnessing is the creation of an opportunity for lawlessness.

Stop Killings: The Kenya Professional and Business Forum would like to urge leaders from both sides of the political divide to take charge of their followers and actively urge them to stop the killings we are currently witnessing. The police should also exercise restrain as they try to contain the violence.

Non Partisanship: We call on all parties concerned or interested in the ongoing crisis to maintain a non partisan position. Kenyan remains a sovereign state and international organizations should not make statements that fan the violence.

We therefore categorically state that we want to see peace and order restored in the country as soon as possible to allow for dialogue and the underlying issues that have led to the current crisis to be addressed.

KPBF Organizations:

The associations in this forum include:

Kenya Medical Association

Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya
Kenya Pharmaceuticals Distributors Association
Kenya Psychiatrists Association
National Nurses Association of Kenya
Marketing Society of Kenya
Public Relations Society of Kenya
Kenya ICT Action Network
Kenya ICT Federation
Eldoret Business Council
Friends of Eldoret (Residents Association)
Nakuru Business Association
Nairobi Central Business District Association
Youth Science and Technology Development Network
AIESEC (Kenya Chapter of International Association for Students interested in Economics and Management)
Kenya Health Federation
Central Organisation of Trade Unions
Association of Practitioners in Advertising
Kenya Private Sector Alliance
Institute of Engineers of Kenya
Save the Children Fund
Kenya Tourism Federation
Kenya Union of Journalists

12 comments:

  1. PANUA: Today I have posted some statement in favour of you guys.

    It easy to tell which side of the political divide these so-called professionals fall.

    Notice that there is no mention of election irregularities and that these guys are only interested in addressing economic losses (read lining their pockets) instead of the widely known affront to democracy.

    Yes, killing is murder which is criminal. But who is instigating these criminal activities and who is committing them?

    I am dismissing this with the contempt it deserves.

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  2. I can't agree with you more Phil. As long as the root cause of the problem is not tackled or seen to be addressed, then everything else is meaningless.

    A very feeble attempt by people calling themselves "professionals".

    SWAKA in VI

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  3. BOYCOTT CENTRAL KENYA

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  4. I agree Phil. Who cares how much money corporations are losing when the country's heart is gushing out blood? Very unrealistic to ask that people "calm down and then a solution will surely follow". Ever heard of the mantra "justice and equality are the cornerstones of peace and prosperity?" Come on people!

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  5. This is what we call a typical selfish middle/high class Kenyans, who are more worried about their businesses than the country itself!

    They can accept that democracy is "raped" and people's rights are violated, while they safeguard their livelihood!

    WHO THE HELL is worried about the people who have "nothing" in this society, who is fighting for them? We worry about the trivial issues of our businesses, when we cannot even defend the morale and ethical issues of democracy!

    There is a price to pay for democracy, and we are paying for it because the elections were stolen. You have fabricated government in place, who has embarked on a mass murder of the Kenyan people.

    Its the people who occupy the SH illegally, that should be facing the law, not the Kenyan people. This is ridiculous!!!

    Wake up people, this is not the time to worry about just your business, GET YOUR ASS MOVING and SAVE OUR COUNTRY by refusing to accept the "illegal" government of the day.

    PLEASE DO JUSTICE TO THE PEOPLE AND THE NATION KENYA!

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  6. Frustration
    Phil,

    I understand your frustration in the whole situation. But it only right for the institutions listed in your posting to protect and speak out for the interests the serve... majorily economic and human welfare. Their mission statements do not address politics nor democracy.

    Now please note I agree that the elections had questionable irregularities and democracy was and continues to be jeopardized, however KPBF has gone above and beyond their call of duty and put out a proposal.

    At the end of the day we need to ask ourselves.... Who is looking out for us? Why are our "leaders" not stepping up? Why does tribe really matter?

    KPBF... Thanks for standing up. I wish more would.

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  7. I agree Phil. Kwani evrything is about besha?? What of voting rights? There's plenty in life that money cannot buy.

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  8. Kibaki must resign. If not for theft of votes, for an extreme case of gross incompetence. What will a Kalonzo led team flanked by the arrogant Karua, Kimunya and Saitoti achieve? Aren't there any true voices of moderation within PNU? This is just a desperate face saving agenda aimed at propping up some guilty vote thieving suspects. You see, one cannot deny that Kalonzo was rejected in all 8 provinces and that Saitoti is in office through some mysteriously found ballot boxes.

    Huyu kijana Kibaki awache upuzi. Kenyans are not numskulls.

    The other foolish thing he has done is attempt to scare the citizens by shooting jamaas to death in the most haphazard manner. Kenyans may take the intimidating killings in two ways only. Either, they will cower and retreat to their shacks for fear of the six feet pit. On the other hand, the killings may encourage folks, especially the bereaved, to specialize in mass action.

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  9. Somebody suggested boycotting Central Kenya. Unfortunately, very good national schools and universities are located there!!!.

    However, we can at least boycott their companies/products like brookside dairy.

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  10. It is funny how these so called professionals are talking about PEACE when they mention not JUSTICE. They want peace to come by itself without us working on how to get and sustain it. Kenya has never been in PEACE but CALM. The two are different just like black and white

    Notice how they give the barbarous police one feeble line. There is NO mention of the upholding of Democracy and neither mentioning of the ROOT cause of the current crisis! What then are they telling Raila and Kibaki to dialogue about when to them the only killing and destruction of property is their main concern. Shouldn't they be telling this to the police who are charged with the task to apprehend the criminals?

    Me thinks this is attempt by one lone ranger attempt to represent all the professional bodies.

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  11. Diaologue must be given a chance. Ultimately it will the only solution but how do you make Baba Jimmy dialogue with you. He has to be forced to dialogue. He is used to calling people pumbavu and mavi ya kuku but not dialogue. Finally he will be humbled and will have no option but to admit that:
    1. His presidency is flawed. The election was stolen and he is the culprit.
    2. Kenya does not belong to him and his tribesmen only. Other 40+ tribes also have a stake in the countrry
    3. If he does not want to address the issues that have affected most Kenyans for the last 40+ years. These include land grabbing by the Kenyatta family, RV land issues, corruption, the constitution, tribalism, equal distribution of resources to ALL Kenyans - then let him take a bow. He is old enough to retire. 44 years in politics has not taught him anything new.

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  12. The hypocracy of the so-called "professionals" is indeed, wanting. As most of you have pointed out, they are only interested in economic gains some of which they thought they'll recover after funding the Kibaki election machine with a $1,500 lunch per plate at safari park. Liars. Sorry 'professionals' we ain't fools. It is either all of us have something or nobody has anything. As a matter of fact, Kenyans are fighting for justice so that your future profits can be guaranteed. Simply put, we're fighting Kibaki now so that we do not do it again in the future. In "professional" lingo, it is called restoring institutional integrity! Kibaki lied to some you guys and so ask him to reimburse you. Period. No Justice No Profits. Period.
    Obuya.

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