Welcome to the 41^st Edition of the authoritative KARA Weekly Newsletter. We greatly appreciate your feedback to our previous issue(s) and invite your valued comments, suggestions and observations. This week we bring you news of the official launch of the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) and UNDP supported MDG’s program for Nairobi’s informal settlements by Hon. Professor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Minister for Planning & National Development. Elsewhere all roads lead to Nairobi’s Panafric Hotel as KARA in another first, holds its’ inaugural luncheon with International Monetary Foundation Resident representative with a host of other high-level dignitaries from World Bank, United Nations and Government. A Decade Later, we bring you the details of the famous (Dr. William) Omamo Commission on Local Authorities that has never seen the light of day from December 1995. Read on the Amboseli national park Question – wildlife conservation or destruction. Still on environment, ITDG-Practical Action, with other partners including KARA, hold the first professional forum on strengthening the vision of the “Nakuru We Want”. In the Ict’s circles, KICTANet comes to the rescue of consumers through a crucial forum next week. Komarock Residents Association joins KARA as School of Professional Studies (SPS) holds its’ 9^th graduation ceremony. On Water, a regional pro-poor regulation workshop bring tgether representatives of four countries is on next week. Sample the feedback and other regular columns. Contact us (Tel. 254-020-3874331 or 3873828; e-mail: kara@accesskenya.com) if you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe. We regret that our line 254-020-3873828 has been faulty from Monday. Telkom Kenya south Regional Manager has assured us that it will be rectified indue course. Thank you. Editor

CIVIC EDUCATION, THE REFERENDUM ON 21ST NOVEMBER 2005  AND YOU! “The KARA weekly e-newsletter is proving highly successful. We hope that the KARA Quarterly Luncheon and other planned fora will be popular. Through them we intend to continue to positively influence Kenya’s policy formulation and implementation,” Stephen M. Mwenesi, Chairperson, KARA Governing Council

DEVELOPMENT MATTERS: LAUNCH UNV/UNDP/KARA SLUMS MDG”s PROGRAM

It is official. The KARA urban slums community awareness and mobilization program supported by the Germany-based United Nations Volunteers (UNV) Program opens its’ curtains on Wednesday 19^th Wednesday 2005. The program will be administered locally by the UNDP office. The constituency-based consultation will be launched in Kibera’s informal settlements by Planning & National Development Minister Hon. Professor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o at a ceremony to be attended by slum community women, youth and other leaders within the Lang’ata constituency’s slum areas.

Others will be the representatives of the United Nations family in Nairobi, Mayor of Nairobi Cllr. Dick Wathika, local councillors, Area MP as well as representatives of the private sector and civil society. The project seeks to develop 8 constituency and 1 city-wide action plans to address MDG No.1 on eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. Last month’s UN General Assembly observed that Africa is the only continent not on track in terms of achieving the MDG’s. Kenya has registered high potential for MDG No. 2 on universal primary education and MDG. No. 6 on combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases. The National AIDS Control Council has reported a declined new infection rate at 6.7% annually.

The Millennium Campaign www.millenniumcampaign.org  has featured the KARA & UNV MDG initiative on its’ website. under "Latest News". The same feature appears on Monday's MDG’s  Bulletin. .

The UNV is the UN organization that supports the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals through the promotion of volunteerism, including the mobilization of volunteers. To this end, UNV provides the opportunity each year for more than 7,000 women and men - 75 per cent coming from developing countries - to support peace, relief and development initiatives in some 140 countries. In addition, it engages thousands of other individuals in the work of the United Nations through www.onlinevolunteering.org, and manages the WorldVolunteerWeb.org, a portal that serves as a knowledge resource base on volunteerism worldwide

KARA LUNCHEON –  IT’S ANOTHER KARA’s FIRST AS HISTORY IS MADE:                                                                                                   This week all roads lead to Panafric Hotel in the City of Nairobi when KARA makes another first, its’ inaugural luncheon. From far a field Ethel Matenge-Sebesho of South Africa’s Home Loan Guarantee Company is already in the country to grace the occasion. Tuesday 18^th October 2005 will see Mr. Jurgen T. Reitmaier, Senior Resident Representative, International Monetary Fund (IMF) speak on  “Civilian Oversight On Public Expenditure and Government Role In Economic Growth”. At the risk of offending the rest, we would like to acknowledge the a few guests namely Mr. Colin Bruce, World Bank Director; Mr. Paul Andre de la Porte, Resident Representative, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Mr. David S.O Nalo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade & Industry, Mr. Solomon Boit, PS, Ministry of Local Government and His Worship the Mayor of Nairobi, Cllr. Dick Wathika.

Others include the newly-elected NCBDA chairperson Mr. Wafula Nabutola; NEMA Research & Public Education Director Dr.Muusya Mwinzi,

We laud Ivory Consult, Aero Club of East Africa, Ivory Hygiene, and AccessKenya  for their valuable support to the function. Be sure to catch finer details in our next issue.

“OMAMO REPORT” ON LOCAL AUTHORITIES REFORM – A DECADE LATER

Through Kenya Gazette Notice No. 2940 and dated 26^th May 1995, then President Daniel T. arap Moi appointed a 10-man Committee, which compiled the famous “Omamo Commission Report” – presented to the President in December, 1995. Ten years later, it has never been formally released. From today on, The KARA Newsletter will bring you excerpts of the Report;

CHAPTER 4: COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

·         Amend Local Government Act to allow for formation and operation of the proposed Community Advisory Committees (CAC’s) within local authorities.

·         Through CAC’s, the local communities should participate fully in the formulation of Council By-Laws and amendments to the Local Government Act

·         Through CAC’s, the local communities should be represented on main organs o the Councils (Council joint boards and Committees)

·         Local Authorities should in conjunction with the Ministry of Education introduce civic education in schools and emphasize the tenets of accountability, transparency and good governance.

·         Copies of draft estimates and Council Plans should be made available to the various levels of CAC’s, well in advance to enable them to give their considered opinion on the same

·         Ministry of Local Government should take the lead role in formulating policies which will encourage closer partnership between the central Government, Local Authorities and Community Based agencies.

Next Week:

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OR DESTRUCTION? THE AMBOSELI QUESTION:

By Will Travers, Bornfree Foundation

I am always interested to learn of the work of KARA, particularly your efforts to ensure openness, transparency and accountability. In this regard you may be interetsed in the following website http://saveamboseli.net . The future of Amboseli National Park hangs in the balance. Whether you agree that this National Park should become a National Reserve or not, all Kenyans must surely be interested in the process by which such an important decision is made.

URBAN ENVIRONMENT: THE FIRST NAKURU PROFESSONAL FORUM:

The “Professional Forum” is a strategy that is spearheaded by the Mayor of Nakuru and the Municipal Council of Nakuru in partnership with JICA, Egerton University, Provincial Administration/GoK and ITDG- Practical Action as part of the contribution to the citizen’s vision, for the “Nakuru We Want”. A forum will be held on 18^th October with the theme “Strengthening Environmental Stewardship Towards the Nakuru We Want”. KARA will be represnted by Dr.Peter Nderitu of the Environment Committee.

ICT’s: KICTANet TO RESCUE CONSUMERS THROUGH MONTHLY FORUMS:

By Alex Gakuru, Consumer Protection Logistics, Kenya ICT Action Network, Nairobi

KICTANet (Kenya ICT Action Network) aspires to translate the spirit of the National ICT Policy into action for maximum “Harnessing of ICTs for National Development”. The service market characterized by varying consumer needs, are continually undergoing changes among other enterprise challenges.

The absence of a critical mass of mobile telephony service providers has resulted in the Kenyan Communications Services consumers feeling exposed to uncompetitive, arbitrarily high communication costs, coupled by poor quality of services.

Recognizing that communication is a basic human right, an economic and development priority, KICTANet is concerned with consumer disquiet and their rights in the information and communication technologies sector. 25^th October 2005 will mark the first of our monthly ICT sector specific public meetings, to discuss ICTs consumer issues between service providers and consumers.

Panelists shall include Hon. Raphael Tuju, Minister, Ministry of Information and Communications; Eng. James Rege, PS, Ministry of Information and Communications; Dr. Kulubi, Secretary, National Communications Secretariat; Mr. Gerhard May, CEO, Celtel (Kenya) Limited; Mr. Michael Joseph, CEO, Safaricom Limited; Mr. Sammy Kirui, CEO, Telkom Kenya Limited.

Observer shall be Eng. John Waweru, Director General, Communications Commission of Kenya while the special guests list will feature Major General Hussein Ali, Commissioner, Kenya Police Service; Mr. Haroun Ndubi, CEO, Kituo Cha Sheria and Ms Jennifer Miano, Executive Director, Kenya Human Rights Commission. Others are the Secretary, Law Society of Kenya; Deputy Public Prosecutor, State Law Office; Executive Director, Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); Executive Director, FEMNET and Mr. Carstein, Chief Technical Officer-Governance, Justice, Law, and Order Sector Reform Program (GJLOS)

KOMAROCK RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION: “WHY WE ARE JOINING KARA”:

The expansive Komarock Residents’ Association (KRA) is the latest to join KARA. Komarock estate is located in Nairobi’s populous Eastlands area. It is surrounded by Kayole and Umoja areas. The estate has an estimated 40,000 residents within the current 6000 units of houses. “We have joined KARA because we feel that is where all of us belong to. The organisation is doing a superb job and we must support them. We are joining the ret of Nairobians and Kenyans in giving to KARA what it really deserves. We look forward to providing our active contribution”, says KRA Chairman Allan Kioko Kitavi.

On Challenges within the area, Mr. Kitavi feels “since we are a new estate developed in early 90’s, we have not escaped the “land-grabbing” vice which has literally left us without basic public amenities such as schools, children playgrounds”. The residents are also experiencing acute water shortage. “We do not why the Nairobi Water Company does  not admit they are rationing water to Komarock. We hope that KARA shall use its’ good offices to assist us. We receive water only on Saturdays and Sundays”. Reached for comment Nairobi Water Company MD Mr. F.K Mugo said that his Company is carefully studying the comments and will be responding in due course. Currently, the Komarock Residents’ Association is providing civic education on the proposed constitutional bill within Embakasi constituency.

HARP DEVELOPERS LTD UNVEILS MLOLONGO AS VALLEY VIEW PARK:

Lands and Housing Minister Amos Kimunya will this Monday unveil Valley View Park estate “show house” at Mlolongo area, along Nairobi-Mombasa Road. The estate features  3 bedroom bungalows on a plot size of approximately 20 by 8.5 m complete with a pres-school, private gardens,  ample parking, external perimeter wall, sewer line, street-lighting, storm water drainage, water supply, cabro-paved roads and shopping centre. Finance is available subject to qualification from Barclays, Housing Finace, Savings & Loan (S&L) and Standard Chartered Bank.

EABL’S GERALD MAHINDA TO PRESIDE OVER SPS 9^TH GRADUATION CEREMONY:

The Kenya School of Professional Studies(SPS) will mark its’ 9^th graduation ceremony on Saturday, 12^th November 2005 in Nairobi. East African Breweries Limited Group Managing Director Gerald Mahinda will be the Guest of Honour. KARA will attend. Attendance is by invitation. You

REGIONAL PRO-POOR REGULATION WORKSHOP ON WATER:

The Water Services Regulatory Board (WSRB) in partnership with GTZ Kenya and other partners BPD, GTZ Zambia and the World Bank Institute are supporting a regional research initiative  which aims to identify opportunities for East African Water sector regulators to refine their regulatory approaches in order to maximize benefits for the poor and the vulnerable consumers. Representatives from Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique and Rwanda will take part. WRSB Chairman Professor Francis Gichaga will deliver a keynote  address.

CORPORATE PACKAGE!   -  WON’T MISS, CAN’T MISS OUT!

KARA is inviting support from the private sector as a means to directly benefit KARA members and encourage our members to do business with them. This month we proudly announce the support of;

United Millers – Kisumu, Ivory Hygiene Environmental Services Ltd, Simba Colt Motors, Rex Motors, Gertrude’s Children Hospital, Securicor Kenya Ltd, Track It; Stomach Clinic Restaurant; Palbina Tours & Travel; Super Carwash Services; Incentive Travel; Projector Solutions:; Tibro Limited; Adopt-A-Light Ltd; Afya Sacco Ltd; Diesel Solutions Ltd; Nyali Beach Hotel, Mombasa; Agricultural Business Information Services (ABIS); Bougainvillaea Ltd; Netguard Limited; Laundromatt Company Ltd,; White Rose Dry Cleaners Ltd; Shaanti Holistic Health Retreat:, Fear Free Laminations Ltd (These list does not include all KARA Corporate members)

WHERE YOUR OPINION COUNTS…,.

GOOD WORK KARA AND CONGRATULATIONS TO NEW NCBDA CHAIRMAN:

By Elijah Agevi, Director, Research Triangle, Nairobi

This is to thank the KARA team for the commitment of keeping us informed and in the loop. This is commendable and should be continued and even intensified. I would also like to join KARA in sincerely wishing Mr.Wafula Nabutola, the new Chairman NCBDA, a result and consultative orientated tenure. We are certainly looking forward to working closely with him and his team.

WHY IS MALINDI COUNTY COUNCIL OVER-VALUING LAND RATES?

By Concerned Residents, Malindi

The Malindi Municipal Council has recently published a new Rate Valuation Roll, increasing values by as much as 12 times. In my personal case, the rateable value of a property I have just bought has gone from Sh100,600/- to Sh1,195,272/-.

Most if not all Malindi residents are going to object to the increases and to the fact that we don't get any services from the council. Have you any advice on how we could coordinate this? I should add that a group of businessmen, under the Chamber of Commerce & Industry, are going to try to take the council to court, but we don't know if we should join them.

About KARA:                                                                                                                                         The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) is an apex body for Resident Associations (RA) throughout the country.  KARA was formed in 1999 out of the need to replicate successes of its’ founding organizations at a national scale.  Over the years, service delivery in Kenya had degenerated owing to poor governance and limited participation of citizens in shaping the destiny of the nation.  KARA has emerged as a strong advocate on governance, environment, security, water, land and judicial issues.  Beyond advocacy, KARA is continually investing in forging working and sustainable partnerships with Government, Private Sector and other like-minded bodies and persons.

Disclaimer:                                                                                                                                              

Opinions expressed in articles and other material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect KARA's policy. KARA reserves the right to edit articles for brevity andclarity.                                                                                                            

To Join or Support KARA Please Contact;

Chief Executive Officer,

Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA)
Natu Court, Suite E-39 (Ngong Rd/Ring Rd Kilimani),

P.O Box 24827-00502 Nairobi, Kenya,

Tel. 254-20-3873828 Tel/Fax.254-020-3874331, Cell: 0733779585,

KARA - "Together, We Will"

Website: www.kenyakara.org

The KARA Newsletter – Proudly-sponsored by AccessKenya – “Your Corporate ISP”

Stephen Mutoro
Chief Executive Officer
The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA)
P.O Box 24827 Karen 00502 NAIROBI
Tel. 254-020-3873828, 3874331 Fax: 254-020-3874331
Office Cellphone: +254733779585 E-mail: kara@accesskenya.com
Personal Cellphone: +254722492980 www.kenyakara.org 
KARA - "Together, We Will"