The Samburu people are calling for international help. Please send polite letters to Kenyan government officials by mail, fax, or email, and send a copy to the US ambassador in Kenya. Read more about the campaign.
- Tell them you are very alarmed by reports of brutal police attacks on entire Samburu villages during 2009 and early 2010. These police attacks serve to increase conflict and insecurity in northern Kenya, rather than resolving it.
- Urge them to immediately withdraw police forces and initiate a community-based process of universal disarmament under the direction of community elders, chiefs, district peace committees, and human rights organizations. Work with the communities to develop a process to curtail cattle raiding and resolve disputes about cattle ownership among pastoralist tribes.
- Demand that the government investigate and prosecute police officials for human rights violations against the Samburu people, and bring an end to police impunity.
- Insist that they recognize that pastoralist tribes have the right to self-determination and to participate in decisions about development and land use in their region.
PLEASE WRITE TO:
Rt. Hon. Mwai Kibaki, President
Republic of Kenya
Harambee House, Harambee Avenue
PO Box 30510
Nairobi, KENYA
president@statehousekenya.go.ke
FAX +254-20-2210150
Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister
Republic of Kenya
Treasury Building, 14th Floor
Harambee Ave
Box 74434-00200
Nairobi, KENYA
ps@primeminister.go.ke
FAX +254-20-2211205
Cc: Michael E. Ranneberger, Ambassador
United States Embassy
United Nations Avenue
PO Box 606 Village Market
Nairobi 00621, KENYA
Email: howardjp@state.gov
FAX: 254-20-363-3410
Note: US postage to Kenya is 98 cents.
This Global Response action alert was issued at the request of and with information provided by the Samburu communities of Lerata, Laresoro, Kirish, and Kiltamany in Samburu East and Loruko in Isiolo district, Kenya.
