By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
The Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM), a diaspora-led advocacy group focused on governance and social justice, has announced plans for nationwide protests to address systemic corruption in Kenya. The demonstrations, titled "Redeem Kenya Demo," are scheduled for March 30, 2019, and aim to pressure officials implicated in graft scandals.
Joseph Lister Nyaringo, KEPAM president and protest coordinator, stated, "We can’t sit and watch as our country continues to be mutilated by known thieves." Maurice Odhiambo, organizer in Western Kenya, added, "Kenya is not a sole proprietorship but a nation of 45 million who claim its shareholding."
The campaign targets all public figures, including top leaders, accused of corruption by investigative bodies. "Kenya’s taxpayers fund these officials’ luxuries," a statement noted. The movement vows to hold accountable MPs, senators, governors, and judicial officers linked to graft, emphasizing no one is immune, including President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto.
KEPAM pledged to pursue legal action to recover misappropriated assets and urged international partners like the U.S., U.K., and EU to impose sanctions on implicated officials. Robert Ndede, KEPAM New York representative, criticized the lack of measures such as asset freezes and travel bans against corrupt officials.
Dr. Tom Mogondo from Missouri highlighted the need to end the cycle of electoral manipulation through looted funds, while Ali Ali in Britain emphasized broad public support. "The poor, students, farmers, and jobless are the majority," he said. "We have the capacity to defeat the minority of looters."
The group called on Kenyans globally to participate in the demonstrations, stating, "Restoring Kenya will require sacrifices from all its citizens."
