PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE YES – YES REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN

This is to inform you all that the umbrella body of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kenya, the National Civil Society Congress (NCSC), will launch the “Yes – Yes Referendum on the Constitution” Campaign at a Press Conference at Serena Hotel, on Sunday 20th September 2009, from 10.30am to 11.30am. The Congress believes that the Yes – Yes Referendum position, first proposed in 2008 and shared with various stakeholder groups including the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution Review, and the Parliamentary Committee on Legal Affairs and Administration of Justice, is the only way Kenyans can avoid a repeat of the 2005 referendum deadlock. This position is further grounded in disagreements between the main political formations – the Party of National Unity (PNU) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) – over which system of government to adopt, with each party pushing for what is assumed to be in its advantage. What might serve Kenyans best seems to be of no consequence. The continued wrangles between some of the members of the Committee of Experts on Constitution Review (CoE) also make this the only viable option. The Congress will also speak on various issues facing the nation (discussed during the Congress retreat) including the following: · The controversy over the conservation of the Mau Forest Complex · Parliament’s rejection of the re-appointment of Justice Aaron Ringera as Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) as illegal · Contestation over the formation and composition of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) Yours Sincerely Morris Odhiambo President, NCSC (0722-303349)

UPDATES ON THE ABDUCTION OF OJIAYO AND KAMAU

Dear friends, On Tuesday 15th September, 2009 we circulated an appeal for urgent assistance following the abduction of Samson Owimba Ojiayo and Godwin Kamau Wang’oe near the Ambassadeur Hotel, Nairobi at around 8pm. This was after our efforts earlier that night to trace the two at various nearby police stations- Kamukunji, Kilimani, Central, Buruburu, Parklands- had proved futile. On Wednesday, 16th September, 2009 we learnt that Samson Ojiayo had been mysteriously released at the crack of dawn while Kamau Wang’oe was taken to Central Police Station. Kamau was later charged at the Nairobi High Court, Court No. 1, for allegedly belonging to a proscribed group and being found in possession of bhang. A cash bond of K.Shs. 100,000/= was ordered. However, Kamau’s release was not secured since the money could not be immediately raised. He is still held at Industrial area remand. We would like to inform the public, the Kenya Police, the government of Kenya and friends of Kenya that we are fearing for the security of both Kamau Wang’oe outside police custody and Samson Ojiayo as the only first hand witness to the case. We make appeal to the newly appointed Police Commissioner, Mr. Matthew Itere to do all in his power to ensure that the two, other activists or any other Kenyans are not harmed in anyway. Further, we request that Mr. Itere conducts independent investigation into the matter. We want to assure the public and our friends that we are patriotic, law-abiding and peace-loving citizens. Thank you all for your continued support! Bunge la Mwananchi www.bungelamwananchi.org