Dr. Tajudeen killed in car crash: Message of Condolence

By Cyprian Orina Nyamwamu, NCA-NCEC

Dear Compatriots and comrades,

On behalf of the The National Convention Assembly (NCA), The Partnership for Change and on my behalf, I wish to share the sadness and shock that has engulfed us on learning of the tragic death of Taju. We learned of the tragic death of Taju from a message Kepta Ombati sent us from Dar at 7 a.m. this morning. This is shocking beyond belief.

Taju, was one of the greatest Pan-Africanist standing. NCA/NCEC tremendously benefited from his wisdom and input over the years.

I knew Taju in 1996 when I met him in Kampala as a student leader of the Kenya Polytechnic Students Union. Then, Taju as Secretary General of the Pan-Africanist Movement was powerful and really the icon of the African vision and leadership. My encounter with him left a permanent impression on me. In 1999, after the death of our Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, Taju was with us at the Wasifu Nyerere and since then he has practically turned kenya into his base for pushing the liberation agenda forward for Africa. In 2005, Taju working with his fellow Panafricanists including Dr. Willy Mutunga helped us get Prof. Issa Shivji to address our NCA fifth Plenary Session at Ufungamano House. Taju was simply outstanding.

The great Nigerian he was espoused the spirit of the continent. Those who worked even more closely with like Betty Kaari Murungi, Houghton Irungu, Mwaura Kaara, Mwangi Waituru and the whole team at UNMC Against Poverty and the MDGs, the whole African gender justice and indeed the Social Justice movement shall miss the leadership, inspiration and indefatigable embodiment of our struggle for free, prosperous and just societies in African and the world over.

The Kenyan Youth Movement and the Grass roots based social justice movements including the NYC, Bunge La mwananchi, the Transitional justice and the groups working with communities around land such the Social Economic Rights Foundation, Action Aid etc will find the gap Taju has left simply daunting.

When The Urgent Action Fund Africa co-convened last year the major African region Conference on Sexual and Gender Based Violence, I recall Taju illuminating the room with his originality, fervour and buoyant energy. How I Love the way he filled us with a smile and hope.

I am simply lost for what to say comrades. Let us just call for the Union of African states and the scrupulous delivery on the MDGs to honor Taju's efforts.

I will miss him.. My tears are with his family.

Pole Kenya, Pole Nigeria, Pole Africa.

Cyprian Orina Nyamwamu
NCA-NCEC

National Youth Convention: A Call to Action by the Young People of Kenya

Dear Friends,

Our country is in a total disarray. Its now Official. The Coalition
Government has made Kenya a FAILED STATE. We got to do something about it.

The National Youth Convention would like to call upon all young Kenyans to rise up and save Kenya from the mismanagement and total confusion that the Political class have resorted to.

The Women have been able to catch the attention of both the local and international communities in calling for abstinence not for the sake of it but for the evil bedeviling this country. Their efforts must be lauded.

The pressure must now be sustained all the way to the ballot day.

Steps to Act on;

We would like to start national activities that are going to set the agenda for discussion all the households in the country on the reform agenda. All means at our disposal should be used. Initiatives at regional provincial and district levels need to be given support. Do not allow your member of parliament to come to the constituency and go Scot free without addressing the issues that are affecting the people. Our leaders MUST be held accountable for the promises they made during the last general election and the livelihoods of all Kenyans need to have improved given the promises.

We need to petition the government on its lack of goodwill to address the ever increasing youth unemployment, massive killings by the state and agents of the state, illegal gangs and thugs, the governance crisis, the status of IDPs and the myriads of challenges that Kenyans are going through now.

Alternative Leadership

It is apparent that the current leadership is not going to protect its people even from external aggression as is being seen by the Forces from Uganda in the case of Migingo and now all the beacons separating Kenya and Uganda on the West Pokot Border have been removed by the Uganda Military and the Uganda Security Forces have been deployed to take over our land.

The Young People need to now arise and present themselves to the people so that they can be elected to take over from the current octogenarians and corrupt politicians.

The NYC calls upon those who are interested in Leadership at Parliamentary, Civic, and professional Bodies to present their intent so that we can start profiling them. The intents should be sent to convener@nyckenya.org

A criteria shall be reached at on democratic process on the NYC forum. The Young Leaders are being called upon to organize for activities at local level that will be coordinated in accordance to ensure the messages are passed on to the leadership. We need to start preparing now for the massive groundswell. Each strategy and tactic will be released at a time.

The messages are ready. We now need to work together in holding this government accountable and finally taking over leadership.

The challenge is huge, the problem is real, the road ahead will be rough and tough. We will either decide to support the same politicians or make that decision to remove them. Our generation, MUST fulfill its mission for this country. We have the numbers. We have the energy. We have one common enemy. Let us take the POWER back to the PEOPLE. PEOPLE .... POWER.

The Forum is open to your suggestions before we settle on the national day that we are going to launch our Onslaught on the current regime.

Please let us be honest with each other and come up with a clear way forward. Vijana Tujipange..... People .... Power.

Emmanuel Dennis
Convener