We, representing over 140 national and international organisations and over four million men and women working in all districts across Kenya, have come together as coalitions of civil society organisations, private sector and other non-state actors, are alarmed by the rising hatred, violence and displacement across of our beloved Kenya following the 2007 General Elections.

Violence engulfed most parts of Kenya as a consequence of perceptions regarding the integrity of the electoral process and the subsequent announcement and swearing in of President Mwai Kibaki as the winner of the presidential elections.

We call upon:

• PNU and ODM leaders to exercise restraint and call on their supporters to uphold and restore peace.
• The courts of law to address issues arising from the polls as a matter of urgency.
• The uniformed forces to act in a non-discriminative manner protect civilians, to allow the safe delivery of assistance and to respect humanitarian space and the safety of humanitarian workers and to avoid excessive use of force which may inflame the situation.
• The authorities to lift the current ban on live broadcasts by the electronic media to enable the flow of information critical to identifying and reaching those at risk.
• Citizens of the country to reject and desist from all acts which contribute to tribal discrimination, hatred and violence.
• Above all we appeal to all Kenyans to stop the violence immediately.

Notes:
NGOs working in Kenya have observed and continue to observe the beatings of civilians, the torching of homes and the killing of men and women. The violence encompasses criminal and ethnically motivated acts spread out across the Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central and Coast provinces of the country. Among the worst affected cities are Kisumu, Kuresoi, Eldoret, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, Ahero, Migori, Kericho, Mombasa Kitale and Lugari.

Over 120 people have been killed.  Thousands more have been injured and have lost property through widespread acts of violence. Close to 100,000 people have been displaced in Nairobi, the Western, Rift Valley and Cost Provinces, triggering an exodus of people in search of safety. Many others are locked up in their homes with dwindling supplies of food and water. The majority of those affected are children and the poor, particularly those from slum and rural areas. This situation requires immediate attention. Aid and humanitarian workers must step up their operations and deliver the much needed aid and protection to affected civilians.

1st January 2008

Signed:
Peace and Development Network Trust (Peace-net)
Partners for Peace
Maendeleo ya Wanawake

In conjunction with:
Oxfam
Action Aid International
World Vision Africa