Kenya: Update to KEN23557.E of 4 April 1996 on the relationship between the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (FORD-K) and the government (1996-2000)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 12 July 2000 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | KEN34802.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Kenya: Update to KEN23557.E of 4 April 1996 on the relationship between the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (FORD-K) and the government (1996-2000), 12 July 2000, KEN34802.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ad6580.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Several sources indicate that the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy in Kenya (FORD-K) has had an uneasy relationship with the government (ARB Mar 1996; 12196; ibid., June 1996, 12300; Amnesty International 1997; The Political Handbook of the World 1999, 525; The Nation 20 Jan. 2000; Africa News 10 Apr. 2000).
In early 1996 a Minister for Transport and Communications, who reportedly came from Ford-K strongholds, was dismissed for criticising a revocation made by the president. He was however, replaced by someone from the same area (ARB Mar. 1996. 12196). This incident occurred after a meeting between President Moi and leaders of opposition parties including FORD-K at which it was agreed that the media would cover government and opposition activities equitably and that licensing of opposition meetings would be done speedily and without obstructions. In June 1996, the president reportedly ordered the police to break up opposition rallies during which politicians insulted their rivals (ibid., June 1996, 12300). ARB further observed that police frequently dispersed "rallies called by opposition politicians on the grounds that such meetings are often used to pour scorn on the head of state, a criminal offence in Kenya" (ibid.).
Amnesty International reports that
in April 1997 the bodyguard of Kijana Wamalwa, the leader of FORD-Kenya, was shot and wounded by an Administration Police Officer, reportedly on the orders of the District Officer. The incident happened when Kijana Wamalwa was attempting to open a FORD-Kenya office in Kakamega District (Sept. 1997, 3).
It further states that within a week of the incident, there were other incidents in which opposition members of parliament were targeted. The members of parliament including Oburu Odinga of FORD-Kenya were injured when police broke up a meeting in Eldoret (ibid.). The Political Handbook of the World states that "in May 1997 Wamalwa was one of the four prominent leaders put under house arrest for their alleged roles in organizing antigovernment demonstrations" (1999, 525). This source further states that Wamalwa's relations with the ruling Kenya African National Union (KANU) improved "dramatically" in 1998. In the same month, "FORD-K legistators helped vote down a non-confidence motion against the government" (ibid.).
The Nation reports that the police arrested FORD-K MP, James Orengo following an incident at the Professional Centre in which "innocent people" were stoned and beaten up (20 Jan. 2000). He was prosecuted and charged with "inciting the public to violence," but the four youths that had allegedly attacked him were set free (ibid.).
In April 2000 two FORD-K MPs were reportedly attacked and beaten during campaigns in Kwanza by KANU youths while FORD-K youths and a branch organising secretary were seriously injured and treated at a Kitale District Hospital. The MPs claimed that among those who attacked them at one of the polling stations were police officers, some of whom were in uniform (Africa News 10 Apr. 2000).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Africa News. 10 April 2000. George Omonso. "Kenya: Two MPs Beaten in Attack."
Amnesty International. 10 September 1997. Kenya: Violations of Human Rights : Communications between Amnesty International and the Government of Kenya. (AI Index: AFR 32/27/97).
Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. June 1996. Vol. 33. No. 6. "Kenya: "Abusive" Rallies Halted."
_____. March 1996. Vol. 33. "Kenya: Moi Meets Opposition."
The Nation [Nairobi]. Owino Opondo. "Orengo Arrest is Roundly Condemned." (Africa News/NEXIS)
The Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.