WHAT NEXT FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST POVERTY AFTER THE POST ELECTION CRISIS?

The election violence that rocked Kenya sine the contested presidential vote will adversely affect the countries progress towards achievement of Millennium development goals and eradication of poverty. over the last five years the country recorded a remarkable economic growth moving from a growth rate of near 0% to one of over 7% in barely five years. The country waged a serious battle against Poverty that saw occurrence of poverty drop drastically from 56% to 46%. The country has been on track in achieving the MDGs with goal number 2 on Universal primary Education, Goal Number 3 on Gender parity in schools being success case studies internationally.

It pursuance of its development agenda, the economic growth that Kenya has recorded has had it share of challenges the greatest of which has been regional disparities which is a historical and social cultural injustice. The effect of the post election crisis now pose new challenges. with close to a million Kenyans internally displaced, infrastructure and people's livelihood destroyed, investment will be focussed mainly on resettlement and restitution. This has indeed become a more pressing in comparison to the outreach to the marginalized and vulnerable communities. Besides, the total budget available for social investment is likely to shrink due to lowered tax collection base caused by the massive destruction of peoples livelihood and businesses. Tourism and Agriculture have been the main pillars of the economic growth and the have been adversely affected by the skirmishes and displacement of farmers.

The gains that have heather-to been recorded in the fight against poverty are in small apart a result of an engaged Civil Society. There is now- more than ever before- a demand for an enhanced capacity of the civil society not only to support the implementation of the peace accord but also to ensure that the country's commitment to the fight against poverty remains high on the country's political agenda. GCAP Kenya has launched a massive recruitment campaign.

WOMEN ACTIVISTS JOINED BY POLICE & MPs IN CALL FOR PEACE AT FREEDOM CORNER, UHURU PARK, NAIROBI

4th February, 2008 - In a unique show of solidarity between politicians, police and civil society, women from the anti–poverty alliance GCAP Kenya, local police and MPs have accessed a previously no-go area and created a floral monument for peace at Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park, Nairobi. The park has been sealed off to the public
since violence erupted a month ago.

The women from diverse ethnic backgrounds launched the monument last week calling for an end to the violence devastating Kenya since the disputed election outcome on December 31st. Inspired by their bravery, 20 MPs from the ruling PNU party joined the initiative by laying flowers alongside. In a statement, the Parliamentarians echoed the appeal made by the women and expressed support for the Kofi Annan- led peace talks. They called on the top leaders to put the country first and step above party politics.

In a similar show of solidarity, members of the city's police force put aside their guns and made a resounding visual statement by adding flowers to the monument. Since Jan 31st the police have been firing tear gas at anyone attempting to access the park. This is the first time members of public have accessed any area of this public park since.

Two decades ago, the section was named Freedom Corner after a sit-in protest by mothers of political prisoners led by the Nobel Peace laureate Prof Wangare Mathai was violently broken up by police. The women responded by stripping naked in protest.

For more information or to book an interview call:

Mwangi Waituru, National Coordinator, GCAP Kenya: +254 723 363241

Ciara O'Sullivan, Media Coordinator, GCAP, Cel: +34 679 594 809

WORLD BANK RANKS GHANA, TANZANIA, UGANDA HIGHER IN GROWTH

January 29, 2008 - The President of the World Bank Group, Mr. Robert Zoellick, has named Ghana, Tanzania and Uganda as countries in Africa moving towards sustained growth at higher levels that would enable them to realise the Millennium Development Goals.

Zoellick, who made this known in an online question and answer session on Monday, noted that the three countries along with with Mozambique and Rwanda have achieved on average 5.5 per cent growth a year over the past 10 years. More ...