FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHY NOT HAVE A RECOUNT OF CURRENT VOTES?

Some groups have suggested that a recount is the best prospect for peace. We are convinced that a recount will not allay suspicions of rigging and will lend little legitimacy to the perceived victor. A recount of rigged votes will only ensure the continuation of violence.


HOW ABOUT HOLDING A NEW VOTE?

This is the best idea for a resolution to the current crisis, but it is not the immediate solution. In order to restore peace, the first step is that Mwai Kibaki must step down since he is an illegitimate leader. The Kenyans who assured Raila Odinga's victory in six out of eight provinces will not accept Mwai Kibaki even as an interim President. A new election must be held in three to six months and be monitored by an independent, international agency, such as the Carter Center. The results of a new election, however, will only be considered credible if polling is conducted in a democratic atmosphere--that is, where freedom of the press and freedom of speech are respected at all levels of government.


WHY DO YOU THINK YOUR SOLUTION IS BETTER THAN OTHERS?

Our solution places an emphasis on restoring democracy and peace to Kenya. We are reaching across ethnic lines in order to ensure this. Our coalition represents Luo, Kikuyu, Kalenjin, Mkamba, Muslim, Luhya, Maasai and other ethnic groups. The signatories of our petition reflect this diverse cultural spectrum.

Our demands include democratic safeguards and promote an equitable justice system to address the grievances of those who have been targeted or whose relatives have been targeted because of their ethnicity or political affiliation. We recognize the short term urgency of installing Kenya's democratically elected leader as President and the long-term necessity of addressing the grievances and conflicts that have come out of this extremely flawed election.


WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO DO WITH THE PETITION?

Our petition is really addressed to the international community. We are urging YOU to take action to restore democracy and peace in Kenya.

We urge you to demand that all media outlets report accurate and up to date information of the situation in Kenya. Certain areas of Kenya are currently underrepresented in the media even though the residents of these areas are in extremely dire straits. We urge you to demand that mainstream media outlets increase coverage of the post-election crisis that has affected all of Kenya. And we urge our allies and signatories to pressure their elected officials to help us restore Kenya's democracy and peace, neither of which can genuinely exist without the other.

We intend to lobby the United Nations for intervention. Kenya desperately needs humanitarian aid. Kenya also needs troops who are neither politically nor ethnically biased to protect all of its citizens, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.

Our allies have sent the CKAD petition to the President of the European Union, Jose Manuel Barroso. We eagerly await a response.

CKAD welcomes all those who share our vision to join us in restoring peace and democracy to Kenya. We would like to express our deep gratitude to those who have contributed to this effort thus far.


Petition to Restore Democracy and Peace in Kenya
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/kibaki-must-step-down.html

MISSION STATEMENT: COALITION OF KENYANS AND ALLIES FOR DEMOCRACY

The mission of the Coalition of Kenyans and Allies for Democracy (CKAD) is to protect Kenya's fragile democracy and to restore peace to the country. In order to accomplish this agenda, we demand:

1) the removal of Mwai Kibaki from the seat of President of Kenya;

2) a new presidential election to be held in three to six months--that is, between the months of April and July 2008;

3) humanitarian aid from the United Nations, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and other reputable agencies;

4) the assistance of the United Nations, European Union, Britain, the United States, and other international bodies in creating a democratic and peaceful Kenya via:

a) the prosecution of those involved in ethnic cleansing, including foreign and Kenyan military personnel and foreign and Kenyan civilians;

b) protection of and asylum for political refugees;

c) the creation of a system of checks and balances to ensure that the President of Kenya is accountable to the entire Kenyan electorate and that power is not concentrated in the executive branch;

d) respect for freedom of the press at all levels of government;

e) respect for freedom of speech at all levels of government;

f) respect for free and transparent elections at all levels of government;

g) the prosecution of elected officials who engage in corruption or other forms of illegal activity.