Book at 20:31, 2 January 2008

2008-01-02T20:31:11Z

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	'''Call For Urgent Resolution of Kenya Electoral Crisis'''		'''Call For Urgent Resolution of Kenya Electoral Crisis'''

Book at 20:30, 2 January 2008

2008-01-02T20:30:35Z

New page

This petition is now online at http://www.petitiononline.com/kenya08/
petition.html

'''Call For Urgent Resolution of Kenya Electoral Crisis'''

We the undersigned call on the ODM and PNU leaders to urgently seek a
resolution to the current electoral crisis in the country and restore
peace and harmony in the country through leadership.

We express our concern at the deteriorating situation in Kenya
following what has been widely acknowledged as an impressive election
turn-out. We commend the Kenyan people for their dignity and courage
but also express our condolences to the families of those who have
lost their lives and to the many who have been injured in the course
of needless violence over the last few days. This is a time for
Kenyans to be patient, dignified and to look for solutions that are
in the best interest of the majority.

We regret the chaos which has caused loss of life, destruction of
property and general unrest in the country. The contested outcome has
marred the prospects of democracy and peace not only in Kenya but
also in Africa. The cloud which hangs over the conclusion of one of
the most fiercely-fought elections in Kenya's history is regrettable.
We believe that peace should be regained as a matter of urgency so
that a free and fair outcome can be reached.

We believe that this is not the time for provocative actions, but a
time for demonstrating leadership through bringing the contending
partners to the table. This crisis can be resolved by the players in
disagreement using conciliation and arbitration mechanisms as a
matter of urgency to plan a peaceful resolution of the crisis. If
necessary, this could be done with the involvement of others such as
the African Union and others, such as those who acted as election
observers. We urge the contending leaders to act within the spirit of
democracy and seek to heal the wounds that have been opened by recent
events and to do so in transparent ways.
We are aware of the betrayal that many may feel in what they consider
to be an electoral injustice. We ask them to engage in the process by
seeking explanation and accountability and to be guided by their own
sense of civic responsibility.

We call on the PNU and ODM leaders to seek conciliation and
resolution of the current crisis for the sake of the country.

We call for mechanisms for mediation and conciliation to be put in
place urgently to give voice to all grievances that have arisen from
the present situation in which there can be no winners, only losers.
We welcome the mediation processes that have been initiated

We call for an immediate ending of violence by the security forces
and all other parties. Whilst we recognize that the security forces
have a role to play in maintaining peace and order, we condemn the
disproportionate and excessive use of force by the security forces
against unarmed civilians that has been manifest over the last few days.

We call for an independent transparent review of the whole
electoral process and its outcomes so as to resolve any differences
between contesting parties. This should include reviewing the results
of the election and all reported irregularities, especially those
related to the disparities in the tallying of the final results.

We call for a swift formation of an independent and credible Judicial
Commission of Enquiry by endorsing the call by the Electoral
Commissioners who have called for one.

We urge the international community to be patient pending the outcome
of such a proposed review process. As it is Kenyans who have to live
with the consequences of a Mwai Kibaki or Raila Odinga government,
the international community can only follow the recommendations of an
independent review before declaring the elections free and fair.

We call on those who wish to see a peaceful democratic Kenya,
especially in the African Union, to support initiatives that can
bring this crisis to a swift conclusion by facilitating dialogue and
reconciliation.

We are deeply concerned by the gagging of the media, especially as
this has only fueled suspicion and encouraged speculation in an
already highly volatile situation. Freedom of expression has been one
of our greatest democratic prizes won by Kenyans during the last few
years and we cannot afford to go backwards.

We call for an immediate and unconditional lifting of the reporting
ban so as to ensure that Kenyans are able to keep abreast of what is
happening. We commend the Kenyan press for the work they have done to
keep information flowing. It is precisely in the time of crisis that
a free and independent media is essential to ensure a democracy that
is based on information not speculation.

We urge the international media community to support the Kenyan press
during this time and continue promoting the right for a free and
independent press especially during such a period.

We call on all peace loving people to join us in calling for a swift
conclusion to the crisis so that Kenya can return to normality and
people can continue their lives without fear and anxiety.

''The [http://www.petitiononline.com/kenya08/petition.html Call for Urgent Resolution of Kenya Electoral Crisis Petition to Leaders of PNU and ODM] was created by Wangui wa Goro, Firoze Manji, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Ronald Elly Wanda, King Omoga, Cenya Ciyendi and written by Firoze Manji (firoze@fahamu.org).''

User:Book/BlogEntry: 2008 January 02 23:19:15 EAT - Revision history

Book at 20:31, 2 January 2008

Book at 20:30, 2 January 2008