Kennedy Owino and other leaders of Pyramid of Peace led a grassroots tour of Kuresoi, Eldoret, Nandi Hills and Nakuru to check up and build on reports from our peacemakers. Kennedy was robbed of his phone at the end of the tour, but please call other phones listed. Please join our Pyramid of Peace http://www.pyramidofpeace.net and also thank you for your donations as we work to keep violence from erupting during the demonstrations which have been called for. Andrius Kulikauskas, +370 699 30003, ms@ms.lt
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Kennedy Owino: Hi all, Foremost, I convey my compliments to Andrius for his profound and selfless supervision and leadership that has surpassed individuals' endeavors and commonly shared visions to an overall culture by independent thinkers.
You inspire me in so many ways and at many levels.
PoP which you co-founded, being a component/project of M.S.L, I see it
as a beam of light coming from a light house offering some sense of
navigational direction to the Ships.
We are the light from a defined source that helps avert Ships wreckages.

In this leg of the Journey am reporting, I was like a ship that left the
dock to venture into the rough and violence infested waters, mostly
relying on lights and motivation from my comrades Rachel Wambui and
David Mutua.

Charged with the daunting task of providing the lead for our PoP Kenyan
champions for a week, I honestly admit that the journey was a real
challenge beyond the scope I had earlier envisioned.
It has been a huge drain on my finances, energy, emotions and time.

Part of our one month's sequenced activities, was to set on a fact
finding mission with the objectives highlighted in David's earlier posting;

1. Fact finding and sourcing for local information on the ground
2. Identification, committing and helping in building the champions on the ground.
3. Familiarization of the violence hotspots and PoP networks in these regions
4. Identification of grassroots needs and formation of grassroots groups

In light of the positive strides we achieved in Naivasha, we factored in
replicating the same in the identified volatile hot spots ( Kuresoi,
Eldoret, Kisumu, Nandi Hills, Naivasha, Sotik,certain Nairobi areas, Mt
Elgon, Burnt Forest, and Molo)
We toured around Kuresoi, Eldoret, and Nandi hills.

KURESOI February 12-13

LOCAL CHAMPIONS; Lawrence Achami (+2547206133379) and Rono (254 723732617)

Our arrival in Kuresoi was welcomed by shock because of the high level
of insecurity that we witnessed there.
All vehicles have to be accompanied by armed policemen.
Just as in Game Parks you don't get out any-how from the vehicle,
disembarking in certain areas would mean dying within five minutes.
Our doubts were confirmed when we came upon a group of attackers armed
with bows and arrows ready to shoot and kill and chanting war songs.
We were saved from the marauding gang by the police officers who shot at
them to scare them away, but they unrelenting stood to their ground in
revolt.
In kuresoi we were confounded by Achami’s dynamic presence, he was
lauded by those we were traveling with, the local Police head (OCS) and
the locals even before seeing him.
Achami is widely known for his relief and peace efforts in kuresoi -a
real champion.
Achami is hosting a group of internally displaced kikuyus in his
homestead relying on very limited supplies of necessities. A team player
and intervening on both sides of the divide, Achami has a wide network
of contacts who feed him with constant information.
Together with Rono (a formidable pair), they have been thinking of
reviving the local peace committees and bringing communities together
for reconciliation.
Kuresoi remains the most volatile area after Mt Elgon, where by its
violence history dates back to the late 90’s and always recurrent.
All other tribes there like the Luos, Kisiis, Kikuyus luhyas etc. are
targets and have been nicknamed the spots/ unwanted by the Kalenjin
tribe who are the natives.

Day/night in Day out, houses are razed by arsonists, vehicles hijacked,
farm produce stolen and people killed.
The situation is both difficult for the non-locals and natives
(kalenjins) alike.
The kalenjins can't get food or access bank and medical facilities.
Non locals are confined in small town centers with 24-7 police guard and
go to Molo town (occupied by the Kikuyu community) regularly for
business purposes with police escort.
A number of camps exist but not with the deplorable conditions as others.
Violence mostly emanates from miscommunication/hate information and
revenge flares.
We had a meeting at Achamis homestead with the displaced and some
members of the aggressors’ community (Kalenjins) these were Rono, John
Soi and other Kalenjins in Kuresoi, John is the old man working with
Rono, his house was burnt and farm looted.
Our visit was a break through for Rono’s - Kalenjins and Achami’s -
Kikuyus plus other tribes sides, the two sides had never met F2F since
the chaos started
late last year after the elections, the meeting with Rono and his friend
at Achami’s camp was the first one, though there was tension and
Achami’s side didn’t want to share when Rono and his friend were present.

Rono’s side expressed great concern of the situation in both sides and
is ready to start discussions towards building peace initiatives, they
accepted that wrongs in both sides have been committed and there is a
need to find peace in everyone and side before any initiative of
bringing the two groups together is commenced.

Rono’s side realizes the great suffering of their people, they can’t
access basic supplies from the market and can’t sell their produce
because there is no transport systems to access the market for them at
all, they walk long distances to access transport or come out of kuresoi
through far towns like Kericho, we all evidenced that from what Rono was
experiencing to attend our meetings – Well done Rono.
Rono’s side agreed to work with us and Achami’s in developing and
building strong grass-root groups/ network of people that will be the
entry points of our peace and development initiatives, these people
networks can gradually develop to structures that will get involved in
building the peace and development human and physical ICT equipped
structures in Kuresoi.

His group suggested that, they would recruit young people to a network
of peace and development John Soi requested that David Mutua talk to
Achami and his father to consider talking to leaders of their side to
meet Rono’s side for peace building discussions.
They also suggested that we should explore ways of engaging the youths
involved in the violence, before Rono had thought of football tournament
but after
consultations with others they suggested to engage them through farming
activities because this is a planting season and no hope of getting
seeds and
fertilizers – we need to look at this request again please.

Below are David's personal recommendations out of the
Kuresoi tour: -
Personally, I appreciate Rono and Achami’s efforts in finding ways of
bringing peace back to their divided community, I see a very great
working team that can
really be the champions of our grass –root work in Kuresoi and I highly
recommend the P.O.P team to consider involving them fully for whatever
activities
we plan in future, they have proved to be real champions.
I also appreciate our work of using phones to enable Rono and Achami be
virtually in touch and share correct information within their
communities though
because of the tension in Kuresoi I suggest we work with the two sides
separate first, in building strong grass –root human networks, later we
can explore the
teleconferencing idea I suggested before to build confidence for a F2F
meeting of the people networks, these networks will come out with peace
strategies and
needs that then can be addressed through a physical shared peace and
development centers for the long –term expectations and outcomes.

Names of Kalenjins affected by the violence in
Kuresoi: -

• Anthony Cheruiyot Chelule
• Richard Kimutai Cheruiyot
• Willium Kipkorir Chelule
• Geofrey Kipngetich Chelule
• Gibson Kipkoech Chelule
• Joseph Kiprotich Cheruiyot
• Philemon Kipngeno Cheruiyot
• Jeremiah Kipyegon Chelule
• Paul Kiplangat Cheruiyot
• Wesley Kibet Rotich
• William Sirma
• Ruth Waithagei
• Joshua Tangus
• Joel Tangus
• Richard Koskei
• John Kiprono Langat
• Philemon Langat
• Joseph Tesoit
• Nobert Tanui
• Richard Tesot
• Ezekiel Tesot
• David Koech
• Ziporah Chumo
• Elizerbeth Tesot
• Johan Tesot
• Rael Birir
• Joseph Byegon
• Wesley Byegon
• Buse Byegon
• Paul Byegon

AND
John Soi - who collected the names with Rono. John's
mobile number is 0727274578
Some of the names seem to be of the same family,not
sure though- Rono and Achami can check for us..

In kuresoi we identified the need of empowering Achami and Rono to help in.

• (i) Closing up the communication gaps existing. This can be done by
• sending more airtime, to help them form groups with central information point.
• (ii) Opening up closed towns like Molo and Kericho by identifying
• champions there. In Kericho we already have Charles Kilel () who is
• equally amazing in his intervention measures.
• (iii) Approaching and involving relief agencies to deliver medical
• supplies.
• (iv) Provide seeds to both communities fundamentally to reach out to
• them in approach towards reconciliation.

-------------------

ELDORET. February 14 - 15

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?

NANDI HILLS Februrary 16

Local Champion; Emmanuel Were (+254721938340)
We were inspired by the work of the local people and groups under the
tutelage of Emannuel Were. Charles Kilel came from kericho (2 hours
drive) in his car to join us, he took us around the small town to see
the damages.
Nandi hills are a District Headquarters with a beautiful, serene
landscape of tea plantations.
Its climate is warm and has a well spread rainy season.
Beautiful and graceful houses dot the villages.
The local champion, Emmanuel Were through his Youth Group have all been
involved in pacifying the youths towards peace using sporting activities.
They are working along well with the local administration, police,
elders, peace committees, security teams and religious leaders.
The discouraging part of Nandi hills is that, all the Kikuyu tribe have
been ejected and their properties either plundered, torched or looted.
There exists no IDP camp in Nandi hills, the IDP's were further pushed
out of the camps.
In my opinion Nandi hills remains the appropriate location of mobilizing
Youths/people into a sitting where Tele-conferencing would be used as a
reconciliation measure.
Same as in Naivasha, all the enemy tribes have been either killed or
forcefully ejected into the camps.
By empowering Emmanuel's work, we would organize around him to Marshall
People into listening groups’ formations.
Communication is a real need in Nandi hills, they are marginalized in
terms of ICT, the local cyber cafe is small and slow, and can't
adequately serve the needs of the town.
There is need of engaging youths in Nandi hills in development
activities to curb idleness.
There is need of welcoming back the ejected communities and helping them
by re-building their assets.
There lies a need of Emmanuel and his group reaching out to the IDPs in
Camps in the spirit of "embrace the enemy"
Investing more in communication (Airtime and phones) would help in our
efforts to break up the draw backs of peace efforts in Nandi Hills.
For more detailed information, please see Emmanuel's posting on
[mendenyo] Emmanuel in Nandi Hills; Conference Call for Fundraisers (
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:40:54 +0100).

Mr. Johnson Kemei 07243527298
Charles Kibyego 0725764061
Alphonse Odongo -0720077798
Beatrice Bore - 0728927077
Richard Sang - 0724947428
Mosocho Sabulei- 0726757616
Wilfred Kipchumba- 0721477115
Rael Kirwa - 0710555730
Dennis - 0720595244
Edwin Nyongesa
Thomas Ngoge - 0721938349
David Sango 0720602223 John Makori- 0720314533
Joana Kiptoo 0721861153


NAKURU February 17

Local Champions; Dennis Kimambo (+254722388275) and Collins Oduor ( )
Lastly we arrived in Nakuru (18th Feb) at 4p.m and we were warmly
welcomed and hosted by Dennis and his wider REPACTED network.
The curfew imposed in Nakuru played a better role of making us
experience how confinement cause stress and how much freedom is valuable.
Am persuaded not to report on behalf of my host and "commander".
His selfless and amazing work is evident in his glimmering eyes,
penetrating words, and deeds worth aping. Dennis is an amazing orator
with content.
I am beginning to see him as my real role model.

My conclusion is that before any development initiative is taken,
feasibility study is necessary.
You don’t break the ground before needs assessment.
We are still in this basic step before taking on the next level.
We are in this with different personified interests but the bigger
picture is restoring peace and promoting development.
And this calls for personal sacrifices beyond comfort zones.
We have all been affected and deprived and as much as we put our
personal needs to the fore front to be addressed, our hearts should be
open to crusading for peace, loving, caring and willing to forgive and
protect our aggressors and the aggrieved.
Bitterness would die hard, but there is no point in hypocritically
preaching peace but on deeper side brewing war or supporting revenge.
My message to the Champions is, you had a drive to act and risk in your
actions.
We are here to give our lives as an offering. We are not here for
ourselves.
We are in this for everybody, and if we fail in what we started, history
and our forthcoming generations will judge us harshly.

Peace be with you,

Report compiled by Rachel Wambui (+254721626389), David Mutua
(+254720462559) and
Kennedy Owino (tel no)

Ken Owino
Nafsi Africa Acrobats
www.nafsiafriacrobats.org