August 1-15, 2011 ISSUE 045 A bimonthly newspaper by the Media Diversity Centre, a project of African Woman and Child Feature Service Calling for divine intervention Drought leaves Kenyans interceding to powers beyond humanity By HUSSEIN DIDO where the Church donated foodstuff, soap, cooking oil, milk and clothes to For those living in areas that have received rainfall, hunger stricken villagers. He said that the story of the looming drought might sound far- the Church would also dig a borehole fetched. For those who have never missed food or that would help curb perennial water water, it may seem like it is made up. However, those shortage in the area. who have gone for a year without rains are living in “It is shameful that people are dying hell. They have no food and water. Their animals in this century of starvation while other and children are dying. This death is not restricted continents are advancing towards devel- to children and animals, even adults are dying. opment,” said the clergy. While the world and the region at large is wor- He observed: “Government ought ried with the way things are, those who live in to make concerted efforts that includes drought affected areas are worried that soon they stakeholders to ensure that food insecu- may not be there. They have seen that for there to be rity is addressed once and for all.” a change in their current situation, they must seek The same sentiments were expressed help from somewhere beyond humanity. They are by Council of Imams Upper Eastern of- now calling for divine intervention as the last resort ficials led by the secretary Harun Rashid. to saving northern Kenya and the Horn of Africa They accused the Government of failing region as a whole. to act timely leading to death of thou- Sabbath Keeping Remnants Church of God is sands of livestock. calling on the two Principals in the Grand Coalition “More than 250,000 people in North- Government, President Mwai Kibaki and Prime ern Kenya are at risk of starvation with Minister Raila Odinga to convene a national prayer women, children and the elderly bear- that would seek divine intervention to provide food ing the brunt of food insecurity as the “It is through concerted effort that we can be able to overcome this drought and save the more than five million people faced with hunger in the country.” — Bishop Francis Ringera for the hunger stricken families in the country. devastating drought depletes resources,” According to Bishop Francis Ringera, the mass reiterated Rashid. prayer forum should bring together well wishers “It is time we worked together and that would raise funds to purchase food for the remember the less fortunate as we ap- starving Kenyans adversely affected by drought. proach the month of Ramadhan,” said “It is high time we pray to God for assistance the Imam. and help and repent our sins especially at this time International organisations that in- when our people are faced with starvation,” said the clude the Kenya Red Cross, Action Aid Different faces Bishop. He added: “Even God brought down Man- and United Nations Children’s Fund say nearly of drought in na during the old days during difficult times.” This 300,000 children may succumb to starvation un- various parts of prayer should be accompanied with fundraising for less urgent measures are taken to provide them the country. As the needy hunger stricken families. with food. Kenyans call for “It is through concerted effort that we can be able UNICEF had recently disclosed that the Horn of food aid, they are to overcome this drought and save the more than Africa region which is the most affected by the rag- also looking to five million people faced with hunger in the coun- ing dry spell could suffer adversely especially now God for a solution try,” said Ringera. that the principal donor, USA had stopped provid- to the biting The clergyman challenged the Government to ing relief to hunger stricken families in the region. drought. Recurrent drought in Northern parts of Kenya come up with clear policy on drought mitigation Pictures: Hussein has had serious socio-economic and political impli- measures that would provide a lasting solution to Dido and Reject recurrent dry spell in the country. cations in that they adversely affect efforts to allevi- Correspondent Ringera was speaking in Daaba, Isiolo County Continued on page 5 Read more Reject stories online at www.mediadiversityafrica.org 2 Unfiltered, uninhibited…just the gruesome truth ISSUE 045, August 1-15, 2011 Psychiatrists sound alarm on Towards a journey of drug addicts and suicide By RYAN MATHENGE forgiveness and healing At least ten percent of drug and alcohol addicts in Murang’a County end up committing suicide due to frus- trations and other difficulties. Psychiatric experts observed that the region has been rated among those with high incidents of people taking their lives either by hanging or drinking poison. Led by Dr James Mburu of Murang’a District Hos- pital, the doctors said, many of those seeking treatment and rehabilitation at Murang’a District Hospital were teachers and students. Sponsor of the mental health sessions Mr Chaxton Kamami Maina said he was moved after watching many of the youth turn to substance abuse due to frustrations. The experts said most of the alcohol and drug users especially the youth, end up committing suicide due to frustration and lack of information on where they can be helped. Speaking at Gitugu Anglican Church in Mathioya Constituency while on a mission of sensitising the youth on dangers of abusing drugs and alcohol, the mental health experts said most of the cases being treated by medics have been found to have psychiatric background. Bhang smoking During the session, it emerged that 70 percent of cases admitted at the mental health wards from Kigumo By FRANK OUMA Ms Cherono Kiplagat (third right) from Kericho among other women who had District are related to bhang smoking. “It has been proven that many of the people seek- undergone a trauma, fear and forgiveness training session in Eldoret town. ing treatment ranging from headaches and abdominal She was full of anger. She could fill with ir- Pictures: Frank Ouma pains at times end up being referred to mental health resistible hatred and dread of revenge over clinics where they are counselled to change their ways,” the brutal manner in which her brother The organisation was established in 2000 mentoring of projects. “The intention is to explained Mburu. was killed. That was three years ago. Today and is currently represented in 17 countries build further upon the skills and abilities The doctor said he was recently saddened when his the grudge and pain are no more. Thanks with the purpose of assisting women and established in the first year, with interme- patient, who was under rehabilitation died on the spot to an intensified training program that has girls, championing their growth and devel- diate facilitators training in year two, en- after jumping from the fifth floor of a building in town. seen her deal successfully with trauma. opment in ways that recognise the qualities, abling more communities to benefit from Gitugi Parish Anglican Church Clergy Rev Peter Cherono Kiplagat from Kericho recalls strengths, wisdom and values of all women this programme in years two and three,” Mwangi Ndirangu challenged leaders in Murang’a and how she was tortured and beaten up by as well as each and everyone representing explained Slagman. especially Mathioya to use Constituency Development the police officer who also shot dead her the female gender. Chief Executive Officer of Feminenza, Funds to organise sessions for the youth where they will brother. Mary Noble says the Government should be counselled and sensitised. Kiplagat is among thousands of victims Trauma counselling consider setting up an institution that will of 2008 post-election violence that left The journey to forgiveness began in take up the responsibilities of counselling about 1,300 people dead and over 300,000 Kenya provoked by the first Humanity and victims of post-election violence as well displaced. Gender Conference in January 2006 before as those who have suffered human rights An organisation that is a global network the general elections of 2007 were held. A abuse in Mt Elgon after the Truth, Justice Embu airstrip to get facelift of women and men known as Feminenza second one would be held in July 2007, just and Reconciliation Commission ends its has been working with victims of post elec- a few months before the country went into work so that they continue to have peace By KARIUKI MWANGI tion violence who were affected directly or elections. of mind. indirectly as well as victims of other forms The focus on trauma counselling and Noble observes that for truthful recon- Residents of Embu and its environs are set to enjoy the of violence such as those that happened in community focused forgiveness and rec- ciliation to occur, victims and perpetrators benefits of flying to the region after the Government set Mt Elgon. onciliation workshops rapidly rose. As the of all forms of violence in the country need aside funds to rehabilitate the airstrip. The organisation has provided Kiplagat bloodshed begun, it redirected its energies to be taught about forgiveness and how to The Government has allocated KSh130 million for with the knowledge and skills needed to es- to assist the traumatised communities in overcome fear and trauma. the upgrading and rehabilitation of the Embu airstrip so tablish a strong base as a counsellor in for- Kisii, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa, Trans “We should not allow the victims and as to open up Embu and the other districts for develop- giveness and reconciliation.