Friday 16 October 2020

Fighting for Mother Earth and women; Rising Gardens

One Billion Rising was conceived and Founded by Eve Ensler in 2012 with the intention of ending rape and sexual violence against women. The movement came to life on VDay, voices campaign that aims at highlighting the voices of the victims of violence against women. 

Rising through the eyes of the children

In the spirit of global connectivity and indulgence, Kenyan chapter held a successful One Billion Rising 2020 campaign at AMREF grounds in Kibera. The 2020 campaign presented an exclusive opportunity to 100 children to add their voices to the conversation through dance and host of other activities.

 The event themed “Rising through the eyes of the children” presented the impact of the effects of violence against women in the life of children. The children detailed their experiences and atrocities that has befallen some of them because of violence. The campaign aimed to reveal to the defenders of human rights the extent to which the lives of the young ones are impacted and therefore formulate lasting solutions to the plea of the children.

This therefore affirmed the theme “Rising through the eyes of the children” since through the voices of the children the defenders are at a better position to amplify the campaigns’ objectives with full knowledge of the impact the violence has had on the lives of children. With the success of the event, the Kenyan chapter is geared towards a greater and impactful activities for One Billion Rising 2021. Indiegu Joyce who is the creative coordinator equips that plans are underway to take it to the cinemas with thought provoking stories that highlight how Climate change is a contributing factor to increased cases of gender based violence.

Rising Gardens Campaign: One Billion Rising 2021

 Founder the voices Eve Ensler in her launch for the ONE BILLION RISING 2021 statement writes “2020 has been the most challenging year in the recent history with Covid-19 pandemic bring the whole world to a standstill. Many lives have been lost and millions more infected, some health workers have lost their lives in the process of protecting and giving care to those infected by the virus. With women making up the highest percentage of these frontline workers and are least valued hence least protected”

Mother earth suffers the same fate. Our lives depend on it but less has been done to conserve it, instead humans have outdone themselves in polluting and dereliction of the earth.

Gardens have been very vital in providing food which is essential to human survival. It therefore connects communities with the earth. Tending a garden therefore is like nurturing our own communities. Gardening involves growing and giving and not just about taking or acquiring. Gardening therefore requires patience, diligence, mindfulness and commitment.

Rising Gardens therefore is a call of action for revival, restoration and transformation of Mother Earth and women. The campaign aims to stop the escalating gender based violence and dereliction of the earth. Mother earth and women have to be accorded the value they deserve for their contribution to life. 

 

One Billion Rising Team, Kenya

Cecilia Brenda 

Cecilia Brenda who is the team leader For HER voice-health empowerment  rights and One Billion Rising Kenya.

In 2021 Brenda alongside her team members and other partners will be rising  gardens and highlighting how climate change is also a contributing factor to  gender based violence and they are geared towards creating discussions around  this.


Indiegu Joyce


Indiegu Joyce is the founder Two Point Five media ltd and also the creative coordinator for one billion rising Kenya. She echoes Cecilia’s sentiments by taking it a notch higher by taking it to the cinemas through a feature film and create discussions. 

Joyce is optimistic One Billion Rising 2021 is a voice for the voiceless and will be very impactful.



Rita Mutheu Kigera

Rita Mutheu Kigera is the One Billion Rising Kenya community outreach advocate/grassroots organizer.                                          

Kenya is working on a different approach with plans already underway to identify and highlight various persons to be part of the one billion rising Kenya.

 

 

 



Wednesday 7 October 2020

Photos: Transformation of Kisumu Social Centre

The county government of Kisumu has renovated the once abandoned Kisumu Social Centre to a classy ultramodern facility with all the required amenities. Check out the photos below of before and after renovation 

BEFORE RENOVATION 

AFTER  RENOVATION
Photos: Kisumu County Government 

Sunday 4 October 2020

Kipchoge dethroned

Eliud Kipchoge recorded a personal worst at the 2020 London Marathon failing to retain his London Marathon tittle. Eliud Kipchoge was the competition's favourite after Kenenisa Bekele bowed out of the competition.  Eliud Kipchoge finished 8th. 

Kenya's Vincent Kipchumba finished second  behind Ethiopia's Shura Kitata. Two years ago Shure Kitata came second behind Eliud Kipchoge in Landon Marathon. Ethiopians dominated this year's London Marathon.

Phoyo courtesy : Eliud Kipchoge 

Of Tuju and locking out leaders from party offices

Jubilee SG Raphael Tuju is no stranger to controversy of keeping politicians away from party offices. In 2004 after president Mwai Kiabki appointed him the Minister for Tourism, Tuju ordered KANU out of its party headquarters at the KICC. Then Uhuru Kenyatta was KANU party leader. 

Tuju personally walked to KICC and had door locks of Uhuru’s office changed in a move aimed at ensuring he does not access it

Even with a court order stopping the eviction, Uhuru could not serve Tuju because they were locked out of KICC with the presence of heavy security personnel. 

Deputy President William Ruto is currently the victim of Tuju's locks after the Jubilee SG issued a warning to the DP and his Tanga Tanga team not to transact their business at the Pangani based Jubilee headquarters. Ruto's team has however vowed to storm the offices on Monday 5th October 2020. The group said they will start operating from the headquarters. If the Tanga Tanga team make their threat a reality then it's likely that there's going to be a standoff with security personnel. 


 Photo Courtesy : Uhuru Kenyatta, Nick Salat and late Mutula Kilonzo and other KANU party officials outside KICC. 

Brigid Kosgei wins 2020 London Marathon

Brigid Kosgei clocked 2.18.58 to win the 40th London Women's Marathon. A fellow Kenyan Ruth Chepngetich who is also a world champion finished third. Sarah Hall, a US citizen snatched the second place after passing Chepngetich some meters to the finish line. 

Celebrations erupted in Eldoret with Governor Jackson Mandagor leading the proud Kenyans in celebration the win. This is third time Kosgei is winning London Women's marathon. 

Later in the day Eliud Kipchoge will be defending his title. He is likely to face minimal opposition since his main competitor Kenenisa Bekele pulled out of the race due to calf injury. 

“It has been a tough preparation time, with lockdown, when I couldn’t have my NN team around me. I was in good shape but then I picked up a niggle in my left calf after two fast training sessions close together in the last weeks of preparation," Bekele said. 

Photo courtesy : Brigid Kosgei