Welcome to Ben Ondoro's Blog:

2008 KCO Madaraka Day Event

2008 KCO Women's Forum Scholarship fundraiser - Photos

Ben Ondoro's message at 2008 KCO Women's forum scholarship fundraiser - May 10th, 2008

Dear KCO Members & Friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank you all for a tremendous support you have give the KCO Board over the years. Without your support, we would not have made it this far. Despite the fact that there has been many challenges during our term in office, together, we have continued to make KCO a home that many Kenyans especially those who are new in Canada identifies with.

Our efforts to market KCO and make it a household name in Canada has paid off and I can authoritatively say that the name KCO is now known not only in Canada but in North America with many Kenyan organizations trying to learn from us. We have become a Kenyan Model organization ready to unite all Kenyans living in Canada.

Two years ago, KCO women’s forum under the able leadership of Mrs. Irene Wandili at the time took off in high gear when the committee was re-launched and they have so far started a scholarship fund for our “Youth”; an initiative that was fully supported by the KCO Board. Mrs. Grace Mwawasi has taken over as the Chair of this vibrant wing within KCO with a determination to do even greater things thus the reason for our gathering here at the Four Points Sheraton today May 10^th, 2008. Our tribute goes to pioneers of the KCO women’s forum that came into being right during the same time of the inception of KCO; the pillars of that vision were Grace Mwawasi, Beatrice Ghettuba and Jayne Rop-Weller among others.

Education is the most important tool you can give a child; those of us who are gathered here tonight have taken that step of faith to provide that tool by contributing to the pot that has been created for our “Youth” by KCO women’s forum to allow us to advance education for our children through this scholarship fund initiative. I am appealing to the general membership and our friends to please pay close attention to this fund and help in any way you can in the spirit of “Harambee” so the pot can grow beyond measures.

In conclusion, I hope that KCO will make it a tradition of providing financial assistance to those students who may be in need as part of our commitment to fostering education and innovation especially amongst our youth.

KCO Delegation to Ottawa - Deliberations

^{Kenyan Community in Ontario}

To: Hon. Maxime Bernier, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON, Canada
K1A 0G2

From: Kenyan community in ontario (KCO)
1992 Yonge street, suite # 203
Toronto, Ontario

Subject: Kenya political situation

Date: March 11th, 2008

_____________________________________________________________________

Introduction:

Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO) is an Ontario-based not for profit, non-political and non-denominational Organization committed to promoting community development, settlement and adjustment programs as well as preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Kenyan community in Canada. KCO also works in partnership with other Canadian Organizations, and Canadian friends of Kenya in promoting international development projects in Kenya and charitable grassroots community development projects in Ontario and in Canada. KCO supports its work through the financial, material and voluntary contributions of its members and the Canadian public, and counts on the moral support of Canadian society to achieve the local community and international development goals.

Background and Purpose of the meeting:

We are here as a delegation representing the larger Kenyan Community living in Canada with a goal to discuss the current political situation in Kenya. As you are aware, violence broke out in Kenya following the announcement by the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) of the presidential elections result at the end of December 2007. There was evidence of electoral malpractices, and when ECK declared the incumbent, Mr. Mwai Kibaki of PNU party the winner, Mr. Raila Odinga of ODM party disputed the results and violence erupted in most parts of the country. The violence claimed over 1,000 lives and more than 350,000 persons were displaced. In addition, property of unknown value, including businesses, was also destroyed.

Through the mediation efforts led by Dr. Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of The United Nations as well as intense international pressure, including specific actions taken by Canada, the two parties recently signed a power sharing agreement that calls for the formation of a Grand Coalition. Formation of the coalition is expected to result in peace both now and in the long term through facilitation of constitutional and administrative reforms. Implementation of the agreement calls for passing of legislative changes and constitutional amendments, which the new Parliament will be embarking on. From the manner in which the negotiations were conducted, and the recent pronouncements of senior government officials, it is clear that there are some people opposed to deal who would be glad to see it fail.

Although calm has generally returned, most of the displaced persons have not returned to their former homes to date. A tense atmosphere still prevails in the country as it not clear whether the two parties will follow through on the agreement both in letter and spirit.

When violence started, KCO came out and condemned the violence in the strongest terms possible as noted in our press release dated January 01, 2008. In that press release, we had also indicated that we would be seeking dialogue with the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs to explore how KCO can complement what the Canadian Government is already doing towards finding a solution to the situation in Kenya. That remains one of the reasons for our visit today

On behalf of the Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO) we also wish to thank you for agreeing to meet with us and listen to what we have to say. We want to start by saying a big “Thank You” to the Canadian government for standing by the people of Kenya during the time of need. The Canadian government did a wonderful job defending democracy in that part of the continent at a time when Kenya was in a crisis.

There is a feeling that we must endeavour to bring the entire international community especially the Canadian government to the side of the consistent democratic forces even as we further look into ways of ensuring that democracy prevails in Kenya.

Areas of Immediate attention:

We have identified key areas requiring immediate attention as Kenya goes through that process of being rebuilt.

Ø Resettlement of the displaced persons

o Small Businesses (Jua Kali)

o Housing

o Schools

Ø Rebuilding

o Cities & Towns that were affected by the crisis

Resources within the Kenyan Community here in Canada:

We wish to encourage the Canadian government to consider tapping into the resources within the Kenyan Community in Canada on issues pertaining to the current political situation in Kenya.

Ø Professionals

Ø Volunteers

Ø KCO

While KCO is aware of the fact that it will be crucial to work on structured strategies with the Canadian Embassy officials in Kenya as well as international NGOs working in Kenya that are based here in Canada, it will also be crucial to work with all the stakeholders in Kenya. Our role may merely be that of providing ideas, mobilizing resources in Canada and Kenya and providing backstopping/back up and more crucially to seek funding for strengthening those on the ground assistance teams like the Red Cross/Red Crescent.

Building Kenya through Civic Engagement:

Kenyans believes that Civic engagement matters because it is a promising method to build a civic nation. With respect to Kenyan’s individuals, we as Canadians of Kenyan origin believe that civic engagement can bring:

a) Belonging: The engagement that we believe Canada can help this Grand coalition to establish is make them understand its citizens and other people’s recognition that they belong to a Kenya society that needs them and wants their full contributions. This will enhance the sense of belonging is essential to individual wellness and social cohesion, and can be fostered through engagement because this is an opportunity for Kenya and Kenyans.

b) Empowerment: We urge Canadian government to engage this grand coalition fully to empower its citizens so that individuals are able to participate in the decisions that affect their lives, and such participation will make the actual difference and change they have been asking for years. This sense of empowerment will be gained through positive experiences with any kind of decision-making process where participants play an active role, are listened to by others, and listen to other.

c) Enrichment: We also urge Canadian Government to seize this opportunity to engage fully and openly this newly marriage of partnership between PNU and ODM parties to engage each other which likely will expose them to diverse ideas and opinions. The process of engagement will compel them to consider new viewpoints that may accept, reflect on, or dispute-but in all cases it create a dialogue between President Kibaki and The designated Prime minister to be Hon. Raila

With respect to Kenya’s unique tribal communities, we believe if Canadian government can politically step in then the Civic engagement will bring the following.

i) Democracy

This is should be real and in its purest form of involvement of all people in discussions and decision-making about public as Kenyan issues. We are calling of the Canadian Government to increase its political power support to the newly found citizen Grand coalition engagement as a call for all Kenya political parties and politicians to ensure a responsive and accountable government and to have a citizen meaningful voice on how their country should be run.

ii) Unity

At this time most Kenyans don’t believe they belong together because of ethnic and tribal political divisions whose unity is at risk and this has been there for the last 45yrs. Civic engagement will promote the growth of networks that cut across artificial boundaries and that create a Kenya founded on common core civic beliefs (Peace, Love and Unity). Kenyans needs Canadian government because of its widespread creative institutions and democratic networks to help this grand coalition to govern Kenya in a just and fair way, bring the citizen to the active citizenry and working together. Kenyans through Canada need a critical evolution of fundamental ideas of people who care, are networked, and who can work across the geographical, cultural, and boundaries that have traditionally kept them together and who are at risk of losing the big dreams of a Kenyan of one citizen and Hakuna Matata Meaning no problem in Kenya.

iii) Inclusiveness

Kenyans need Canada to help them build inclusive society that will welcome them to be able to contribute their thoughts and ideas without fear, threats and other political punishment. Many feel alienated because they believe the old established institutions especially the judicial and Human rights do not know or how to represent them justly. Canadian government needs to come in and help to engage this grand coalition to build a society that would actively attempt to involve them in decision-making process.

Closing:

We thank you again for agreeing to meet with us and listen to what we had to say. We trust that the Canadian government will consider these issues and proposals and work together with our organization (KCO) in ensuring the return to democracy in Kenya and maintaining of peace and justice for all its citizens.

Sincerely,
Ben Ondoro – President, Kenyan Community in Ontario

KCO Delegation to Ottawa - Agenda

MEETING REGARDING THE KENYA POLITICAL SITUATION

When: Tuesday March 11th, 2008, 3:00 pm

Venue: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Address: 125 Sussex Drive, Ottawa

Time Agenda Item

3:00 pm Introductions

· “KCO Delegation Team” - Ben Ondoro

3:15 pm Background & Purpose of the Meeting

· “Kenya Political Situation” – Ben Ondoro

3:20 pm Resources within the Kenyan Community in Canada

- (Dr. Timothy Oketch)

· Professionals

· Volunteers

· KCO

3:30pm Building Kenya through Civic Engagement - Maurice Khaguli

· Civic Engagement Matters

· Respect for Unique Kenyan tribal communities

3:40 pm Open Discussion on Way Forward -

· Discussions and Suggestions

· Working relationship with KCO

4:00 pm Closing Remarks

Ben Ondoro to lead a delegation from the Kenyan Community in Ontario for a meeting with the office of the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ottawa, Canada!

February 2nd, 2008

As per our previous communication with regards to the Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO) engaging the Canadian government to be at the forefront in terms of addressing the current crisis in Kenya, I have been in touch with the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the Office of Hon. Dr. Keith Martin, Liberal M.P; Opposition Critic for International Development.

KCO has already been given a spot for a meeting with the office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and we are also putting together a document outlining what we intend to achieve during this meeting; our previously released "Press Statement" on January 1st, 2008 (attached .pdf) covers some points we intend to present.

I have also secured another face -to-face meeting with Dr. Keith Martin to talk about the same issue. I think we are all working towards the same goal and this is good for our people in Kenya. Dr. Keith Martin had a question in parliament yesterday touching on the Kenya Crisis and he has issued another statement in parliament this morning. I am being updated on these developments regularly.

Below, is the text of Dr. Martin's question as well as Minister Bernier's response .

14:16 (55)

ORAL QUESTIONS

---

ORAL QUESTIONS

[Oral Questions]

Hon. Keith Martin ( Esquimalt —Juan de Fuca, Lib.)

Hon. Keith Martin (Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, Kenya is in meltdown and 850 people have died, including opposition member Mugabe Were. The violence is escalating.

Canada can play a critical role to enable peace and security to return to the country.

Will the Prime Minister support an African Union stabilization force to be deployed to Kenya and will he also ask Elections Canada and offer Elections Canada services to run a free, open and transparent general election in Kenya ?

Hon. Maxime Bernier (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC)

Hon. Maxime Bernier (Minister of Foreign Affairs, CPC): Mr. Speaker, we are very concerned about the situation in Kenya . That is why yesterday my colleague announced in the House a contribution of $3.3 million to help the Kenyans.

However, the most important thing is that we are there to help the Kenyans. We want to have a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Thanks,

Ben Ondoro - President, Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO)

Phone: (519) 239-4510 (Blackberry) or (519) 826-3789 (Office) or (647) 889-7757 (KCO)

Email: ben.ondoro@yahoo.com or ben.ondoro@ontario.ca