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Kenya: Update to KEN32082.E of 4 June 1999 on the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD)-Asili; whether it is currently active; treatment by the government and its agents

The Forum for Restoration of Democracy (FORD)-Asili (Kiswahili for "Original"), which was founded on 13 October 1992 by Kenneth Matiba and Martin Shikuku (Political Handbook of the World 1999, 526) won one seat in the National Assembly during the last general elections in December 1997 (Europa 2001, 2291). The current FORD-Asili member of parliament is Njeru Kathangu who one source refers to as "one of the most radical anti-government legislators" (Weekly Review 9 Oct. 1998).

The Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) lists FORD-Asili as one of 40 registered political parties (Kenyaweb 2001). According to the ECK, FORD-Asili executive members include George Nthenge (acting chairman), Martin Shikuku (secretary), Isaac Haji Dahir (treasurer), and Wanguhu Ng'ang'a (acting national organizing secretary) (ibid.).

On 12 February 2002, FORD-Asili and four opposition parties formed a coalition party called the National Alliance for Change (NAC) (East African Standard 4 Mar. 2002). The Alliance was established in an attempt to win the 2002 general elections, which have yet to be held, and to "establish a government of national unity" (AFP 13 Feb. 2002).

Members of the NAC met on separate occasions during recent months to announce plans for economic reforms, election strategies, and constitutional reform (KTN 8 Apr. 2002; The Nation 10 July 2002; East African Standard 3 May 2002).

FORD-Asili is also independently involved in the constitutional reform process (CKRC 30 Sept. 2001). According to the Constitution of Kenya Reform Commission (CKRC) Website, FORD-Asili is one of approximately 175 "National Civic Education Providers" (NCEP) (ibid.). During a 24-month period ending October 2002, the NCEPs will use an official curriculum to provided civic education courses and programs throughout the country (ibid. 15 Sept. 2001).

Although there are reports of rallies held by the National Alliance Coalition which included members of FORD-Asili, no reports of political interference during these rallies were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, although not specifically mentioning FORD-Asili, the U.S. Department of State's Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001 states that "[g]overnment often arrested civil society leaders and opposition politicians and charged them with participating in illegal gatherings" (2002, section 1).

In an earlier report, Amnesty International (AI) stated that although the Kenyan government legalized opposition parties in 1991, "opposition politicians, including members of parliament, have faced serious police harassment" (1997). In its annual report covering 2001, AI stated that:

There were repeated police attacks on rallies held by both opposition and civil society groups. In May President Moi said that police should videotape all political rallies...

Scores of opposition members of parliament and political leaders were arrested and briefly detained (2002).

In another recent article, The Nation reported on 29 July 2002 that:

Elections are about to be held again in an environment where only [Kenya African National Union (Kanu)] ideas reach the population. The other parties are denied such a chance. The [Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC)] has ignored the [Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group (IPPG)] provisions that required equal coverage of all political parties. Opposition parties can only use rallies, which are frequently disrupted by police and the provincial administration in a flagrant abuse of the law.

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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Agence France Presse (AFP). 13 February 2002. "Kenyan Opposition Makes a Bid for Unity Ahead of Crucial Polls." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International (AI). 2002. Annual Report 2001. <http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/afr/kenya!Open> [Accessed 30 Aug. 2002]

_____. 1997. "Repression and Resistance." <http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/incam/kenya/briefing/represon.htm> [Accessed 29 Aug. 2002]

Constitution of Kenya Review Commission (CKRC). 30 September 2001. "National Civic Education Providers." <http://www.kenyaconstitution.org/docs/04ad005.htm> [Accessed 30 Aug. 2002]

_____. 15 September 2001. Ahmed Issack Hassan. "Introductory Document on the Whole Process." <http://www.kenyaconstitution.org/docs/02d001.htm> [Accessed 30 Aug. 2002]

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2001. 2002. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. <http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/2001/af/8386pf.htm> [Accessed 29 Aug. 2002]

The East African Standard [Nairobi, in English]. 3 May 2002. "Kenya: KHRC to File Suit Against Ghai Team." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 4 March 2002. "Kenya: Plans of the 'Big Three' Upset as Rival Opposition Alliance Formed." (BBC Monitoring 4 Mar. 2002/NEXIS)

The Europa World Year Book 2001. 2001. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications Limited.

Kenyaweb. 2001. "Registered Political Parties in Kenya." http://kenyaweb.com/politics/party_listings.html> [Accessed 29 Aug. 2002]

KTN Television [Nairobi, in English]. 8 April 2002. "Kenya: Opposition Parties Launch Blueprint on Economic Reforms." (FBIS-AFR-2002-0408 8 Apr. 2002/WNC)

The Nation [Nairobi]. 29 July 2002. Tony Sisule. "Dangerous Crusade Against the Media." <http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200207290397.html> [Accessed 29 Aug. 2002]

_____. 10 July 2002. "Alliance in Party About-Turn." <http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200207100172.html> [Accessed 26 Aug. 2002]

Political Handbook of the World: 1999. 1999. Edited by Arthur S. Banks and Thomas C. Muller. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

The Weekly Review. 9 October 1998. "Another Thorn in the Flesh." <http://www.africaonline.co.ke/weeklyreview/981009/cover3.html> [Accessed 30 Aug. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB Databases

NEXIS

People in Power

The World Almanac

Internet sites including:

Africa Confidential

AllAfrica.com

BBC Africa

Human Rights Watch (HRW)

IRIN

World News.com

Search engines including:

Google