UNFORTUNATELY, KENYANS MIGHT DEFY OUR CHURCH LEADERS!!!!
Temperatures are rising as the campaigns are getting on top gear for the August refrendum. The proponents of the new constitution are giving everything to ensure that the document goes through at the refrendum. On the other hand the "No team" are aggressively telling Kenyans to reject the document come the refrendum because they believe there are sections that must be amended before the document can pass.
Majority of kenyans from across the board seems to give a nod to the proposed new constitution, a matter that has put the christian leadership at crossroads with their flock. The country is more than ready for the long awaited constitutional dispensation and anyone who is seen to oppose the final lap of this marathon race doesnot mean well for the country.
Following the many debates hosted by the media houses,commentaries and opinions expressed by Kenyans from all walks of life, there is a clear indicator as to which direction Kenyans want to go. The issues raised by the antagonists of the proposed new constitution are not FUNDAMENTAL to many of our people. The real issues are lying in good governance and equitable distribution of resources that would change the livelihood of many starving Kenyans.
Personally am tempted to ask some few questions that seems to bog my mind. As much as Kenya is becoming a democratic state, is it in order to allow people who looted our economy to show us direction? I feel hurt when I hear former President Moi proudly say that the proposed land reforms enshrined in the "new constitution" is not good for Rift Valley region,out of the eight provinces in this country, MUST Rift Valley be treated differntly over the rest and must be they be allowed to continue protecting the past injustices that Moi's government meted on the people of Kenya? It must be remembered that it was during Moi's tenure that every project of national standing was taken to Rift Valley. The Turkwell power project, the Eldoret international airport and many others were misdirected. Not all the residents of Rift Valley were beneficiary of these malpractices and therefore it is not in order for Moi and his cronies to purport to defend the Rift Valley region. In fact they are defending their ill acquired land in the region that has left many kenyans landless. Kenyans MUST stand firm and reject any attempts by past tyrants to reintroduce they rotten influence in these present times. Attempts to divide Kenyans along imaginary boundaries that KANU used to widen the gap between the rich and the poor must be rejected. We are tired of tribalists.
Our men of the colar, have a hard task to achieve because their concerns have been watered down by self seekers from the political divide. If they really want Kenyans to accept that they are the voice of reason then they MUST reconsider their decision to oppose this "New Constitution". Due to mismanagement of our affairs todate, more kenyans are dying of hunger than abortion or kadhis courts which have been in our constitution from independence. The poor infrastructure in this country is due to CORRUPTION and not some of the issues raised. We are at crossroads because our current constitution does not deter thieves and looters from ascending to political leadership, we have a good number of people of no integrity manning our public institutions and this culture has spread to our churches. There is no fair distribution of church resources. Some regions are more favored even with the number of clergy serving them. These are the issues that we need to address. Why should we have all the good roads in certain parts of the country and not even foot paths in the northern parts of Kenya. If the new constitution seeks to address these inequities, then even the church must support this cause. We are the church and without the believers, the clergy will be nowhere. Good leaders are the ones who listen to the led. In the year 1990 or early 90s if am not wrong, the church leadership in this country stood firm and by the truth. I still remember the episcopal letter by the catholic bishops to Moi's government which stated that the PEOPLE OF KENYA were tired of Mois rule and that mutipartism could not be stopped. Since then, Kenyans have not stopped yearning for good leadership which can only be achieved by a better constitution than what we have now.
Kenyans are God fearing, we respect our religious leaders so much and therefore they should not let us down. We can explore the other avenues like repeal or amendment of the contentious clauses but only after the new constitution has gone through because there is no reverse gear. We would do better to agitate for better legislation by the Parliament on devolved govrnance so that we get good leaders from the grassroot to transform our country.GOOD LEADERSHIP is what this country needs, Inspiring leadership that will change our attitude. Something better than what we experienced immediately NARC took over leadership of this country in the year 2002. We need to restore goodwill in public leadership and the only hope is our "NEW CONSTITUTION".VOTE YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSUUUUUUU!!!!!!!
Steve Owiti
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
NEW CONSTITUTION FOR KENYANS
WHY THE YES VOTE WOULD BE BETTER.
The clamour and campaigns for a new constitution has been long and quite costly. Many people have lost their lives and others have been left maimed because the powers that were could not imagine a democratic country called Kenya. Our current constituion gave the the president powers to kill, grab land,reward his cronies etc etc because he could not be tried in any court of law within this country.
The presidential system has to go and a better one has been proposed. The fundemental human rights are properly enshrined in the new draft constitution. The church and many other have confirmed that the proposed new constitution is far much better compared to the current one.We must accept that a constitution is ever amended and even some parts repealed. Every year that passes new laws are enacted and therefore the few contentious areas in the new draft constitution cannot and will not deter us from getting a better document, than what we have now.
Honestly, the Kadhis courts should not be in our constitution and even our muslim brothers know that the reasons as to why these courts were sneaked into our current constitution is nolonger relevant but because they like confrontation over non issues they would carry it on.As christians we must be tolerant and pray to God that this part of the constitution be amended or even repealed at the earliest time possible once the new constitution is in place.Kenya will remain a religionless state or the church fraternity would have to propose a section to be included in the constitution to counter this Kadhis court issue, this can be done later and in a better way than stopping what has been earned in 20 good years.
The abortion clause/section/chapter is not acceptable but the money already given out to support it, needs proper strategy to counter.This calls for soberness when the political temparature is low and people are ready to reason as moral beings and not legal creatures. It looks awkward that the christian family would go out and oppose their leaders while the Muslim brothers cheers on. The church leaders MUST read the mood of their flock and know of the best ways to keep them on track. Kenyans want a constitutional dispensation NOW and not tomorrow and therefore our spiritual leaders must listen to us as we have always listened to them. This may sound a bit rebellious but it is the truth that we must preach to the whole world. Kenyans have been oppressed in many ways by the ruling clique for over four decades and anyway that would give more freedom must be supported. We shall continue to agitate for repeal and amendments of the new constitution without oppression and intimadation because the powers of the oppressors would have reduced and controlled, therefore more people will come out and support such causes.
The other issue that has come up from a group of former rulling goons, is that of the land. The issue of land since independence has been very thorny, not in the way that it is present it now but from a perspective that 10% of kenyans are the landlords and the remaining 90% are landless. From the Ndungu report and others that has come to light in the recent past,records show that a few families own large chunks of land equivalent to a province like Nyanza or some countriesof the world. Better parts of such land are lying fallow while many are living as squatters without food. The campaign that the draft constitution is restricting land ownership to certain limits is good for Yes campaign since majority of Kenyans are landless and would rejoice if they were given an equal opportunity to own some land. The land grabbers are already up in arms because they know they stand to loose their ill earned property.The former President Hon.Daniel Arap Moi and his cronies, who for many years rejected the plea for democractic space ought to be ashamed of saying NO at this time in history to a new constitution. Personally am saddened by the fact that this team has cheapened the leaders opinions. Many people would trust anybody seen to be part of a team that would not even listen to the same church from the late 80s todate.
The post election violence in some areas were triggered by land issues and in most areas the anger that had built in our people due to misrule by the previous leaders. The past regimes strived on creating the two tribes of Kenya i.e the Rich and the Poor who for along time did not get achance to confront each other. The ruling elite thought that Kenya was the same as it was at independence. During that dark period, we saw our brothers set on fire in an Eldoret church where the innocent children and women were burnt a live for reasons that could not be justified.In Naivasha people were attacked with machettes and hacked to death in the mostly beastly way that we have ever witnessed All these occurrances amongst other absurdities were as aresult of bad laws that supported RIGGING. If the constitution and other laws on electoral process were the same as in the draft document, then we would have not lost those lives. We MUST stop such killings and primitivity. Any person/s linked to those/such killings have no moral standing in our society. They cannot tell us to reject a constitution that would help us bridge the gap between us and them.
My personal appeal to all kenyans of goodwill including our spiritual leaders is that we get this 90% and struggle for the remainder. Kindly vote wisely and vote for Kenya. Vote YESSSSSSSSUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Steve Kizito Owiti
The clamour and campaigns for a new constitution has been long and quite costly. Many people have lost their lives and others have been left maimed because the powers that were could not imagine a democratic country called Kenya. Our current constituion gave the the president powers to kill, grab land,reward his cronies etc etc because he could not be tried in any court of law within this country.
The presidential system has to go and a better one has been proposed. The fundemental human rights are properly enshrined in the new draft constitution. The church and many other have confirmed that the proposed new constitution is far much better compared to the current one.We must accept that a constitution is ever amended and even some parts repealed. Every year that passes new laws are enacted and therefore the few contentious areas in the new draft constitution cannot and will not deter us from getting a better document, than what we have now.
Honestly, the Kadhis courts should not be in our constitution and even our muslim brothers know that the reasons as to why these courts were sneaked into our current constitution is nolonger relevant but because they like confrontation over non issues they would carry it on.As christians we must be tolerant and pray to God that this part of the constitution be amended or even repealed at the earliest time possible once the new constitution is in place.Kenya will remain a religionless state or the church fraternity would have to propose a section to be included in the constitution to counter this Kadhis court issue, this can be done later and in a better way than stopping what has been earned in 20 good years.
The abortion clause/section/chapter is not acceptable but the money already given out to support it, needs proper strategy to counter.This calls for soberness when the political temparature is low and people are ready to reason as moral beings and not legal creatures. It looks awkward that the christian family would go out and oppose their leaders while the Muslim brothers cheers on. The church leaders MUST read the mood of their flock and know of the best ways to keep them on track. Kenyans want a constitutional dispensation NOW and not tomorrow and therefore our spiritual leaders must listen to us as we have always listened to them. This may sound a bit rebellious but it is the truth that we must preach to the whole world. Kenyans have been oppressed in many ways by the ruling clique for over four decades and anyway that would give more freedom must be supported. We shall continue to agitate for repeal and amendments of the new constitution without oppression and intimadation because the powers of the oppressors would have reduced and controlled, therefore more people will come out and support such causes.
The other issue that has come up from a group of former rulling goons, is that of the land. The issue of land since independence has been very thorny, not in the way that it is present it now but from a perspective that 10% of kenyans are the landlords and the remaining 90% are landless. From the Ndungu report and others that has come to light in the recent past,records show that a few families own large chunks of land equivalent to a province like Nyanza or some countriesof the world. Better parts of such land are lying fallow while many are living as squatters without food. The campaign that the draft constitution is restricting land ownership to certain limits is good for Yes campaign since majority of Kenyans are landless and would rejoice if they were given an equal opportunity to own some land. The land grabbers are already up in arms because they know they stand to loose their ill earned property.The former President Hon.Daniel Arap Moi and his cronies, who for many years rejected the plea for democractic space ought to be ashamed of saying NO at this time in history to a new constitution. Personally am saddened by the fact that this team has cheapened the leaders opinions. Many people would trust anybody seen to be part of a team that would not even listen to the same church from the late 80s todate.
The post election violence in some areas were triggered by land issues and in most areas the anger that had built in our people due to misrule by the previous leaders. The past regimes strived on creating the two tribes of Kenya i.e the Rich and the Poor who for along time did not get achance to confront each other. The ruling elite thought that Kenya was the same as it was at independence. During that dark period, we saw our brothers set on fire in an Eldoret church where the innocent children and women were burnt a live for reasons that could not be justified.In Naivasha people were attacked with machettes and hacked to death in the mostly beastly way that we have ever witnessed All these occurrances amongst other absurdities were as aresult of bad laws that supported RIGGING. If the constitution and other laws on electoral process were the same as in the draft document, then we would have not lost those lives. We MUST stop such killings and primitivity. Any person/s linked to those/such killings have no moral standing in our society. They cannot tell us to reject a constitution that would help us bridge the gap between us and them.
My personal appeal to all kenyans of goodwill including our spiritual leaders is that we get this 90% and struggle for the remainder. Kindly vote wisely and vote for Kenya. Vote YESSSSSSSSUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By: Steve Kizito Owiti
Friday, April 9, 2010
A Job Well Done Is Done How (Silver Jubilee)
Dear Fish Members
I must take this opportunity to congratulate you for the job well done, this is a very big achievement given that we have done it without help from anybody else. Every since that was used in the jubilee was donated by the Fish members and we did not have to rely on a foreign donor somewhere to give the money. I have been following the contributions the members have been making both in the chain e-mail and the blog and I must say that am proud to be linked to this great group.
Now we have done this and we can look back and see our achievements and failures. The challenge now is where do we go from here? should we lie dormant only to wake up again in time to do a golden jubilee or do keep active and revive some of the projects and activities that have stalled. I must say that despite the little activities that have been going on there are a lot that the current active young Fish members have been doing for example seeing that the less privileged children are helped to go to school and make something of their lives. Thanks to Richard Obudho and co for the good work and for the many success stories that can be narrated with happy endings.
I was very happy to read that Mzee Adoyo is still very active in the Fish. He is one old man who stood by us no matter what happened. In 1985 we approached Mzee Adoyo to be our Fish guardian in Magadi Boys Fish group he agreed and worked tirelessly with us. We got into a few problems but he always stood by us and give 101% in effort and support. We needed to raise some money to buy costumes for the Traditional Dance so we brainstormed and come up with ideas that we could use to raise to money. One idea that was popular with the youth but unpopular with the elderly was to organise a disco overnight in Magadi Centre Hall we approached Mzee Adoyo being the chairman of the Magadi Small Christian Community and he gave us the authority to use the Hall for a disco. This got us all into trouble and Father Tony was summoned to the Bishop's office to explain why his youth did such a 'sucrelegius' act in the house of God where christians meet everyday to speak to their Creator. When Mzee Adoyo was approached the answer was simply "We uru nyithindo omiel hesco onge gimagitimo marach miel bende en ranyisi mar pako ruoth". Am glad he is still with us and still gives his all to the Fish.
Now guys where do we go from here? what next? from the correspondence of last year majority said that he whole year was being dedicated to the silver jubilee with activities running all year. I hope we are thinking of organising sports day in August or end of July as was suggested. If so I may be able to take part in athlete tics with my sons God willing. Also are we thinking of reviving the Fish meetings and the group actions? I know the times have evolved and also given that majority of the fish members are themselves parents and bread winners in their families it might not be possible to have weekly meetings as we use to have in the 80s and 90s but may be have them two weekly.
We need to think also of how we can have some finances for the group to be able to run the group activities, most of us will be happy to make donations every now and again to keep the group going as long as we do not turn into the Kenyan Government where few individuals view the public property as their own and misuse it.
Let us heed the Archbishop's challenge and show everyone that the Fish is alive and swimming. Let us make difference to the community the way we did all those years ago. Most of owe our success to the Fish group. We learnt a lot from the group and we made a big difference to the young peoples life. Martin Opondo and I went round the Colleges and Secondary schools within the City talking to students about HIV and AIDS, many members went round the community talking to the youth about their health and also to the mothers about nutrition and child care.
Finally let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to organise the Silver Jubilee I know that many were involved but let me just mention a few, Jubilee Chairman Cosmas Kinda, Tressurer Brenda Anne Amimo, Committee members, Charles Lwanga, Chris Akun, Gumbe Alaka, Jacob Okal, Peter Mittow Okal, Martin Opondo and everyone involved as I cannot remember everyone by name. You made us all proud Long Live Fish.
I must take this opportunity to congratulate you for the job well done, this is a very big achievement given that we have done it without help from anybody else. Every since that was used in the jubilee was donated by the Fish members and we did not have to rely on a foreign donor somewhere to give the money. I have been following the contributions the members have been making both in the chain e-mail and the blog and I must say that am proud to be linked to this great group.
Now we have done this and we can look back and see our achievements and failures. The challenge now is where do we go from here? should we lie dormant only to wake up again in time to do a golden jubilee or do keep active and revive some of the projects and activities that have stalled. I must say that despite the little activities that have been going on there are a lot that the current active young Fish members have been doing for example seeing that the less privileged children are helped to go to school and make something of their lives. Thanks to Richard Obudho and co for the good work and for the many success stories that can be narrated with happy endings.
I was very happy to read that Mzee Adoyo is still very active in the Fish. He is one old man who stood by us no matter what happened. In 1985 we approached Mzee Adoyo to be our Fish guardian in Magadi Boys Fish group he agreed and worked tirelessly with us. We got into a few problems but he always stood by us and give 101% in effort and support. We needed to raise some money to buy costumes for the Traditional Dance so we brainstormed and come up with ideas that we could use to raise to money. One idea that was popular with the youth but unpopular with the elderly was to organise a disco overnight in Magadi Centre Hall we approached Mzee Adoyo being the chairman of the Magadi Small Christian Community and he gave us the authority to use the Hall for a disco. This got us all into trouble and Father Tony was summoned to the Bishop's office to explain why his youth did such a 'sucrelegius' act in the house of God where christians meet everyday to speak to their Creator. When Mzee Adoyo was approached the answer was simply "We uru nyithindo omiel hesco onge gimagitimo marach miel bende en ranyisi mar pako ruoth". Am glad he is still with us and still gives his all to the Fish.
Now guys where do we go from here? what next? from the correspondence of last year majority said that he whole year was being dedicated to the silver jubilee with activities running all year. I hope we are thinking of organising sports day in August or end of July as was suggested. If so I may be able to take part in athlete tics with my sons God willing. Also are we thinking of reviving the Fish meetings and the group actions? I know the times have evolved and also given that majority of the fish members are themselves parents and bread winners in their families it might not be possible to have weekly meetings as we use to have in the 80s and 90s but may be have them two weekly.
We need to think also of how we can have some finances for the group to be able to run the group activities, most of us will be happy to make donations every now and again to keep the group going as long as we do not turn into the Kenyan Government where few individuals view the public property as their own and misuse it.
Let us heed the Archbishop's challenge and show everyone that the Fish is alive and swimming. Let us make difference to the community the way we did all those years ago. Most of owe our success to the Fish group. We learnt a lot from the group and we made a big difference to the young peoples life. Martin Opondo and I went round the Colleges and Secondary schools within the City talking to students about HIV and AIDS, many members went round the community talking to the youth about their health and also to the mothers about nutrition and child care.
Finally let me take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked tirelessly to organise the Silver Jubilee I know that many were involved but let me just mention a few, Jubilee Chairman Cosmas Kinda, Tressurer Brenda Anne Amimo, Committee members, Charles Lwanga, Chris Akun, Gumbe Alaka, Jacob Okal, Peter Mittow Okal, Martin Opondo and everyone involved as I cannot remember everyone by name. You made us all proud Long Live Fish.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
CELEBRATIONS BEFITTING THE SILVER JUBILEE
All Jorech,
The preparations on sunday, the eve to the of the monday celebration was a clear manifestation of how much love the members have for Fish.
They trouped to the cathedral as early 6.00am and in different styles.It was all cheers and hugs as old friends met to celebrate an era that was considered a great success. The ladies dressing styles could easy pass for a wedding function.Accompanied by members of their families,the present old Fish members could be seen exchanging pleasantries about their families.
The younger generation were also not left out,them too had come determined to argue the point that the Fish should continue to grow as there were people to benefit from it.
Arrival and Tree planting session:-
At around 10.30am, His Grace The Arch-Bishop Zaccheus Okoth arrived at the cathedral to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fish Youth Movement in style.The Arch-Bishop together with the Parish Priest of the cathedral Rev.Fr. Dr. Charles K'ochiel led the Fish Family with their guests to the garden for a tree planting session.Several trees(ornamentals) and fruits were planted to symbolise the rebirth(revival) of the Fish youth movement.The tree planting ceremony saw all the clergy present given a chance to plant the atleast a tree in memory of the occassion,these were Rev. Fr. Joseph Gitonga of Alendu, Sr. Mary Hellen of Chiga and the younger Deacon Hillary of Mill Hill Missionaries whose priestly ordination is set for 10th of this month at Tumsifu Center Kisumu.
The Holy Mass
After the colourful sojourn at the garden, the procession for the big event at the cathedral chapel began immediately. The fish family had a joyful procession characterized with dance and choruses under the stewardship of the seasoned Fish soloist J. Gumbe Alaka.As the procession got into church the singing was taken over by the St. Benards choir which was also conducted by one of the old Fish members - The chief celebrant was full of life and very charismatic as he delivered his sermon to fully parked church. Among the notables within the congregation were Rev.Sr. Sylvester of the Franciscan Sisters St. Joseph in Kibuye convent, old Fish youth guardians led by Mzee Adoyo of Magadi,In his sermon,the Arch-Bishop gave the history of the Fish stating how the founder had approached him with the idea of starting a youth group within the cathedral where Fr, Tony was then the assistant Parish Priest, a station he had been posted to immediately after his priestly ordination. The Arch-Bishop confessed to supporting the then young enthusiastic mill hill priest even in identification of the name FISH which he said was very relevant to the Kisumu youths and equally acceptable within the church.
Having celebrated the many anniversaries of the Fish group before, the Arch Bishop could not hide his pride as having been part of the success of the group he said had produced many succeessful personalities including the clergy, proffessionals in various fields and many lay leaders.He further emphasized that considering the fruits of Fish group,he would personally take the initiative to mobilize the all the dioceses within his province -Kisumu Arch-diocese so that they allow the Fish Groups to be started in those sees. This he said would continue to the whole nation and beyond if the Fish leaders were ready and capable of handling the awareness campaigns and trainings that go with that kind of mobilisation.
The Arch- Bishop was very emphatic that the Fish Group had a bigger role to play even on other societal matters,".... with your capacity and structures,you can even undertake the civic education successfully,more so for the constituonal review campaigns...." he challenged the Fish family to undertake the civic education aggressively to enable members of the society vote in the upcoming referundum responsibly.
During the mass, there were three infant baptism of sons of various Fish members. As the three little ones were baptised, the Arch-Bishop explained that those baptisms had been given to symbolise the rebirth of the Fish movement and challenged the present members to carryout seriouos "fishing expeditions" that the fish had been known for."......go out there and bring in more youths,all parishes must have Fish groups and remember that you are fishers of men......" After the baptisms, the fish members were called upon to renew their membership vows as a sign to recommitting themselves to the work of evangelising more youths. The session of renewing the vows relived the nostalgic enrollment ceremony that all news members had to be taken through before they could be initiated fully into the Fish family. Songs of praise and the holy spirit rented the air as the renewed spirit of FISH flowed within the church.In his closing remarks, the Arch-Bishop urged the Fish members to renew leadership trainings,various activities and group actions that had distinguised the from other youth groups.These same sentiments would be re echoed by the Fish Chaplain Fr. Kochiel and variuos speakers at the reception hall.
RECEPTION:
After the colourful holy mass that ended at around 3.30p.m, the Fish members held a procession to the grave yard to lay a wreath of flowers on late Rev. Fr. Sylvester Sulwe's tomb and conduct short prayer for his departed soul. This short ceremony was to appease the spirit of late father who was very supportive of the idea of Fish group when it was started in 1985.
The Fish family then proceeded together with all the guests to consume the delicasies that had been prepared for the occassion. The meals accompanied with soft drinks were served to all and sundry. It was real parting and feasting akin to what we see at the state house functions or the function we attended at white house to inaugrate one of sons who had worked hard to succeed George Bush Junior. Inside the hall after the meals, entertainmet was galore punctuated with numerous speeches. Speaker after speaker urged the fish members to revive te group so that the younger generations could also narrate the same sweet stories maybe at the golden jubilee.
Congratulations to the silver jubilee comittee members, all the Fish members and friends who heeded the call for support,financial and otherwise to make the celebrations such a huge success.Kudos to Cosmas for steering us to the succeessful beginning of a new era and to Brenda for being such a prudent financial manageress, all the team members for your perserverance and committent even when things looked very grim, Rev. Fr K'ochiel for the spiritual guidance and standing with us at times of difficulty.Fr.J.J, James Okal,Martin Okore,Jeremiah Ochieng and many others for the selfless contributions that set very good president for supporting the Fish in the near and far future activities.The editorial team under the leadership of Peter Mitto Okal for the lovely newsletter that gave us a wonderful reading for the day. For sure am lost for words, I dont know how best to thank everybody but kindly accept my heartfelt gratitude on my own behalf and that of the Fish Board.We appeciate all prayers,masses and devotions that were offered for the success of our Silver Jubilee.
The task ahead of us is an enormous one and it requires more concerted efforts than ever before. We cannot afford simple power struggles because I believe we have overgrown them. We must learn to listern to each other even if we feel they are not as smart as we are. The biggest diservice we can do to the group and to ourself is to fail to handover a better group than the one that was left to us. Egos aside, can we revive FLTP, sports,drama,social days,faithwalks,vocations days,Fish ma etc etc.
The Arch- Bishop agreed to be invited to give brief talks on leadership if we organise the leadership trainings,George Orido has offered to sponsor the 1st drama competition and preparatory directing and acting training preceeding the competition. Benard Ogendi agreed to coordinate various members who can initiate junior football clubs that would culminate into a senior football club from Kisumu within 4-5 yrs.Martin Okore and others have accepted to help our team organise fundraising activities for Fish activities such as Gala nites,Gospel bash,breakfast meetings and even harambees to finance the youth activities.
It is high time we thought outside the box and enlist the support of everybody even who were able to join us for the silver jubilee. Can we join our hands together for this noble task?In the Fish spirit of volunteering and sharing can we continue to offer what we have or can do in this revival exercise. Our brothers who love siasa , tuwache siase tafadhali and lets learn to build each other.May God Bless you and God bless FISH!!!!
Steve Kizito Owiti
Interim Board Chairman.
The preparations on sunday, the eve to the of the monday celebration was a clear manifestation of how much love the members have for Fish.
They trouped to the cathedral as early 6.00am and in different styles.It was all cheers and hugs as old friends met to celebrate an era that was considered a great success. The ladies dressing styles could easy pass for a wedding function.Accompanied by members of their families,the present old Fish members could be seen exchanging pleasantries about their families.
The younger generation were also not left out,them too had come determined to argue the point that the Fish should continue to grow as there were people to benefit from it.
Arrival and Tree planting session:-
At around 10.30am, His Grace The Arch-Bishop Zaccheus Okoth arrived at the cathedral to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Fish Youth Movement in style.The Arch-Bishop together with the Parish Priest of the cathedral Rev.Fr. Dr. Charles K'ochiel led the Fish Family with their guests to the garden for a tree planting session.Several trees(ornamentals) and fruits were planted to symbolise the rebirth(revival) of the Fish youth movement.The tree planting ceremony saw all the clergy present given a chance to plant the atleast a tree in memory of the occassion,these were Rev. Fr. Joseph Gitonga of Alendu, Sr. Mary Hellen of Chiga and the younger Deacon Hillary of Mill Hill Missionaries whose priestly ordination is set for 10th of this month at Tumsifu Center Kisumu.
The Holy Mass
After the colourful sojourn at the garden, the procession for the big event at the cathedral chapel began immediately. The fish family had a joyful procession characterized with dance and choruses under the stewardship of the seasoned Fish soloist J. Gumbe Alaka.As the procession got into church the singing was taken over by the St. Benards choir which was also conducted by one of the old Fish members - The chief celebrant was full of life and very charismatic as he delivered his sermon to fully parked church. Among the notables within the congregation were Rev.Sr. Sylvester of the Franciscan Sisters St. Joseph in Kibuye convent, old Fish youth guardians led by Mzee Adoyo of Magadi,In his sermon,the Arch-Bishop gave the history of the Fish stating how the founder had approached him with the idea of starting a youth group within the cathedral where Fr, Tony was then the assistant Parish Priest, a station he had been posted to immediately after his priestly ordination. The Arch-Bishop confessed to supporting the then young enthusiastic mill hill priest even in identification of the name FISH which he said was very relevant to the Kisumu youths and equally acceptable within the church.
Having celebrated the many anniversaries of the Fish group before, the Arch Bishop could not hide his pride as having been part of the success of the group he said had produced many succeessful personalities including the clergy, proffessionals in various fields and many lay leaders.He further emphasized that considering the fruits of Fish group,he would personally take the initiative to mobilize the all the dioceses within his province -Kisumu Arch-diocese so that they allow the Fish Groups to be started in those sees. This he said would continue to the whole nation and beyond if the Fish leaders were ready and capable of handling the awareness campaigns and trainings that go with that kind of mobilisation.
The Arch- Bishop was very emphatic that the Fish Group had a bigger role to play even on other societal matters,".... with your capacity and structures,you can even undertake the civic education successfully,more so for the constituonal review campaigns...." he challenged the Fish family to undertake the civic education aggressively to enable members of the society vote in the upcoming referundum responsibly.
During the mass, there were three infant baptism of sons of various Fish members. As the three little ones were baptised, the Arch-Bishop explained that those baptisms had been given to symbolise the rebirth of the Fish movement and challenged the present members to carryout seriouos "fishing expeditions" that the fish had been known for."......go out there and bring in more youths,all parishes must have Fish groups and remember that you are fishers of men......" After the baptisms, the fish members were called upon to renew their membership vows as a sign to recommitting themselves to the work of evangelising more youths. The session of renewing the vows relived the nostalgic enrollment ceremony that all news members had to be taken through before they could be initiated fully into the Fish family. Songs of praise and the holy spirit rented the air as the renewed spirit of FISH flowed within the church.In his closing remarks, the Arch-Bishop urged the Fish members to renew leadership trainings,various activities and group actions that had distinguised the from other youth groups.These same sentiments would be re echoed by the Fish Chaplain Fr. Kochiel and variuos speakers at the reception hall.
RECEPTION:
After the colourful holy mass that ended at around 3.30p.m, the Fish members held a procession to the grave yard to lay a wreath of flowers on late Rev. Fr. Sylvester Sulwe's tomb and conduct short prayer for his departed soul. This short ceremony was to appease the spirit of late father who was very supportive of the idea of Fish group when it was started in 1985.
The Fish family then proceeded together with all the guests to consume the delicasies that had been prepared for the occassion. The meals accompanied with soft drinks were served to all and sundry. It was real parting and feasting akin to what we see at the state house functions or the function we attended at white house to inaugrate one of sons who had worked hard to succeed George Bush Junior. Inside the hall after the meals, entertainmet was galore punctuated with numerous speeches. Speaker after speaker urged the fish members to revive te group so that the younger generations could also narrate the same sweet stories maybe at the golden jubilee.
Congratulations to the silver jubilee comittee members, all the Fish members and friends who heeded the call for support,financial and otherwise to make the celebrations such a huge success.Kudos to Cosmas for steering us to the succeessful beginning of a new era and to Brenda for being such a prudent financial manageress, all the team members for your perserverance and committent even when things looked very grim, Rev. Fr K'ochiel for the spiritual guidance and standing with us at times of difficulty.Fr.J.J, James Okal,Martin Okore,Jeremiah Ochieng and many others for the selfless contributions that set very good president for supporting the Fish in the near and far future activities.The editorial team under the leadership of Peter Mitto Okal for the lovely newsletter that gave us a wonderful reading for the day. For sure am lost for words, I dont know how best to thank everybody but kindly accept my heartfelt gratitude on my own behalf and that of the Fish Board.We appeciate all prayers,masses and devotions that were offered for the success of our Silver Jubilee.
The task ahead of us is an enormous one and it requires more concerted efforts than ever before. We cannot afford simple power struggles because I believe we have overgrown them. We must learn to listern to each other even if we feel they are not as smart as we are. The biggest diservice we can do to the group and to ourself is to fail to handover a better group than the one that was left to us. Egos aside, can we revive FLTP, sports,drama,social days,faithwalks,vocations days,Fish ma etc etc.
The Arch- Bishop agreed to be invited to give brief talks on leadership if we organise the leadership trainings,George Orido has offered to sponsor the 1st drama competition and preparatory directing and acting training preceeding the competition. Benard Ogendi agreed to coordinate various members who can initiate junior football clubs that would culminate into a senior football club from Kisumu within 4-5 yrs.Martin Okore and others have accepted to help our team organise fundraising activities for Fish activities such as Gala nites,Gospel bash,breakfast meetings and even harambees to finance the youth activities.
It is high time we thought outside the box and enlist the support of everybody even who were able to join us for the silver jubilee. Can we join our hands together for this noble task?In the Fish spirit of volunteering and sharing can we continue to offer what we have or can do in this revival exercise. Our brothers who love siasa , tuwache siase tafadhali and lets learn to build each other.May God Bless you and God bless FISH!!!!
Steve Kizito Owiti
Interim Board Chairman.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
A Tribute to Kisumu Fish Group
Shalom Brethren,
It is another Easter and another birthday for the Fish Group on Monday. If the FISH was any of us, then at 25th Birthday it would be a celebration of either graduation?wedding?ordination?Final vows?promotion?employment?etc,etc
The Fish celebrates this silver jubilee with gusto and pomp,the many members who passed through this group would tell you alot of success stories. We feel terrible that the young ones might miss out on some of the benefits we got during our teens. The chance to have bread, milk and mala, the Namgongo shrines visit, the Mji wa Furaha episodes,the numerous trainings that you never get anywhere - leadership,social work,healthwork, journalism, management/administration,community mobilisation,resposible adulthood etc, etc
Am not sure if we still have no reason to celebrate this Easter. The Fish has achieved so much that very few groups of her nature can manage.Let me take you down the memory lane, though we are not a seminary, we did produce many priests who did not go through the minor seminary but got their vocation to be clergy through the Fish Fr.James Juma,MHM,Fr. Josiah Okal IMC,others are Fr.Gordon IMC,Fr. Ephraim Juma MHM and many that you add to this list.
The religious sisters were also not left behind, Sr Pamella Gesimba, Sr Consolata, Sr.Emma Ganda and the others you know,kindly add these names to the list..
Amongst our equals, we have senior bachelors and bachellorettes who have equally devoted their times to community service,I will not name them but kindly names yourself if belong to this group.There are many successful families who have contributed ernormously to building our local churches and communities.Our group boast of being oneof its own kind that can proudly say to have produced the highest number of lay leaders at all levels of the church hierarchy.
We are equally connected within the NGO world, visit CDC KEMRI, World Vision,FACES,Tuungane,UNIM,The child right organisation,KUAP the biggest beneficiary and partner etc etc
We have accomplished journalists like Dr. Steve Ogongo,Jim Onyango,freelancer George Orido and many others. Senior consultants like Opondo Obwar,Silvery,Ogendi,Brendaus,Alphonce Lumumba, etc etc Educationist of international standards Mwalimu Emmanuel Okwatch,Snr Headteacher George Achiando,Mwalimu Okoth Matata,Mary Amimo etc etc Accountants and finance administrators of my kind, Jacob Okal,Akun Chris,Obudho Richard, Lwanga (Multi),Bankers Mary Mugwanga,Redemptor Ochumba,International operatives like Martin Okore,Leo Akwanyetc etc
We have businessmen and women, professionals in various fields like IT, bretthrens like Jeremiah Ochieng,Nick and Jerusha,Vincent woud Guardian, Mike Ochieng, John Oduor, Tony Owiti, Cosmas KInda, James Okal, Michael Simiyu,Gumbe Alaka, Steve Sule, and many others that I cant remember now are people of no mean achievements.
Despite all this long C.V , one of biggest achievement for the FISH was the election of The Founder Fr. Tony Chantry as the superior general of the Mill Hill Missionaries.Being the first Fish he did us proud and Ipersonally believe that amongst the experiences that earned him the positon was his idea of the FISH.
We have grown old enough to do our things, now thw parents can relax as the sons and daughters struggle with setting up their homes.
I AM SO MUCH PROUD OF FISH AND I KNOW SOME KEYS POSITIONS I HAVE OCCUPIED IN LINE OF DUTY ARE DUTY THE RIGOROUS TRAINING I GOT FROM RECH. I KEEP ON PRAYING THAT THE GROUP GAINS MOMENTUM FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BENEFIT. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL AND A HAPPY SILVER JUBILEE!!!!
Steve Owiti.
It is another Easter and another birthday for the Fish Group on Monday. If the FISH was any of us, then at 25th Birthday it would be a celebration of either graduation?wedding?ordination?Final vows?promotion?employment?etc,etc
The Fish celebrates this silver jubilee with gusto and pomp,the many members who passed through this group would tell you alot of success stories. We feel terrible that the young ones might miss out on some of the benefits we got during our teens. The chance to have bread, milk and mala, the Namgongo shrines visit, the Mji wa Furaha episodes,the numerous trainings that you never get anywhere - leadership,social work,healthwork, journalism, management/administration,community mobilisation,resposible adulthood etc, etc
Am not sure if we still have no reason to celebrate this Easter. The Fish has achieved so much that very few groups of her nature can manage.Let me take you down the memory lane, though we are not a seminary, we did produce many priests who did not go through the minor seminary but got their vocation to be clergy through the Fish Fr.James Juma,MHM,Fr. Josiah Okal IMC,others are Fr.Gordon IMC,Fr. Ephraim Juma MHM and many that you add to this list.
The religious sisters were also not left behind, Sr Pamella Gesimba, Sr Consolata, Sr.Emma Ganda and the others you know,kindly add these names to the list..
Amongst our equals, we have senior bachelors and bachellorettes who have equally devoted their times to community service,I will not name them but kindly names yourself if belong to this group.There are many successful families who have contributed ernormously to building our local churches and communities.Our group boast of being oneof its own kind that can proudly say to have produced the highest number of lay leaders at all levels of the church hierarchy.
We are equally connected within the NGO world, visit CDC KEMRI, World Vision,FACES,Tuungane,UNIM,The child right organisation,KUAP the biggest beneficiary and partner etc etc
We have accomplished journalists like Dr. Steve Ogongo,Jim Onyango,freelancer George Orido and many others. Senior consultants like Opondo Obwar,Silvery,Ogendi,Brendaus,Alphonce Lumumba, etc etc Educationist of international standards Mwalimu Emmanuel Okwatch,Snr Headteacher George Achiando,Mwalimu Okoth Matata,Mary Amimo etc etc Accountants and finance administrators of my kind, Jacob Okal,Akun Chris,Obudho Richard, Lwanga (Multi),Bankers Mary Mugwanga,Redemptor Ochumba,International operatives like Martin Okore,Leo Akwanyetc etc
We have businessmen and women, professionals in various fields like IT, bretthrens like Jeremiah Ochieng,Nick and Jerusha,Vincent woud Guardian, Mike Ochieng, John Oduor, Tony Owiti, Cosmas KInda, James Okal, Michael Simiyu,Gumbe Alaka, Steve Sule, and many others that I cant remember now are people of no mean achievements.
Despite all this long C.V , one of biggest achievement for the FISH was the election of The Founder Fr. Tony Chantry as the superior general of the Mill Hill Missionaries.Being the first Fish he did us proud and Ipersonally believe that amongst the experiences that earned him the positon was his idea of the FISH.
We have grown old enough to do our things, now thw parents can relax as the sons and daughters struggle with setting up their homes.
I AM SO MUCH PROUD OF FISH AND I KNOW SOME KEYS POSITIONS I HAVE OCCUPIED IN LINE OF DUTY ARE DUTY THE RIGOROUS TRAINING I GOT FROM RECH. I KEEP ON PRAYING THAT THE GROUP GAINS MOMENTUM FOR OUR CHILDREN TO BENEFIT. HAPPY EASTER TO ALL AND A HAPPY SILVER JUBILEE!!!!
Steve Owiti.
Happy 25th Birthday Kisumu Fish Group
Dear Fish
I am hubmled and proud to be a fish member. The acivities that Guys like Charles Lwanga, Brenda Ann Amimo, Cosmas Kinda, Chris Akun and everyone else including my two "little" brothers have been doing is enomous. The way you have lead the group make me proud. I wish everyone of you a happy time during this Holy period of the year.
It is a pity i cannot be there but I wish you a fantastic time during the Silver Jubilee Celebration on Monday . From what has been going on we have prooved that we can be self reliant and am humbled by the way people have been sending in their contibutions to ensure that the day is a success. Let us keep up this spirit and let me take this opportunity to thank you for the help that you have accorded our colleagues who have had tragedies over the course of last year and this year.
I still remember fondly my time in the Fish group I know that so many years have passed but it all just like yeasterday. I miss the fish group meetings and the Fish Action where we used to go into the community and help the less fortunate. During Easter time especially on Good Friday we would acompany the Magadi Christian Community (Duol) in matching along the street of Manyatta to visit the sick and the poor praying with them and offering them food stuffs. Thanks you guys for keeping the spirit of the Fish alive.
Could I kindly ask you guys to keep our Members who have departed this life in you prayers during the celebration. So many of the Fish members have passed on from this life please let us keep them in our prayers. I know I cannot remember everyone by name but the few I can remember are Peter Owino (Nyalenda and Fish Team), Vincent Otieno and Luke Odhiambo of Nyalenda Bungu, Francis Otieno, Tom Okumu, Johanes Midha, Pius Obiero, Nelson Otieno, James Adodi (Wendo), Amos Okal, and Johanes Adhola all of Magadi, Vincent Otieno and Yaga Of Kunya and all those whom I cannot remember by names.
Have a wonderful time and keep up the spirit.
HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY KISUMU FISH GROUP. CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK AND LET THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHINE IN WHATEVER YOU DO. IT IS MY PRAYER THAT THE LORD WILL GIVE US MANY MORE YEAR TO COME.
Fond Memories
James Okal
I am hubmled and proud to be a fish member. The acivities that Guys like Charles Lwanga, Brenda Ann Amimo, Cosmas Kinda, Chris Akun and everyone else including my two "little" brothers have been doing is enomous. The way you have lead the group make me proud. I wish everyone of you a happy time during this Holy period of the year.
It is a pity i cannot be there but I wish you a fantastic time during the Silver Jubilee Celebration on Monday . From what has been going on we have prooved that we can be self reliant and am humbled by the way people have been sending in their contibutions to ensure that the day is a success. Let us keep up this spirit and let me take this opportunity to thank you for the help that you have accorded our colleagues who have had tragedies over the course of last year and this year.
I still remember fondly my time in the Fish group I know that so many years have passed but it all just like yeasterday. I miss the fish group meetings and the Fish Action where we used to go into the community and help the less fortunate. During Easter time especially on Good Friday we would acompany the Magadi Christian Community (Duol) in matching along the street of Manyatta to visit the sick and the poor praying with them and offering them food stuffs. Thanks you guys for keeping the spirit of the Fish alive.
Could I kindly ask you guys to keep our Members who have departed this life in you prayers during the celebration. So many of the Fish members have passed on from this life please let us keep them in our prayers. I know I cannot remember everyone by name but the few I can remember are Peter Owino (Nyalenda and Fish Team), Vincent Otieno and Luke Odhiambo of Nyalenda Bungu, Francis Otieno, Tom Okumu, Johanes Midha, Pius Obiero, Nelson Otieno, James Adodi (Wendo), Amos Okal, and Johanes Adhola all of Magadi, Vincent Otieno and Yaga Of Kunya and all those whom I cannot remember by names.
Have a wonderful time and keep up the spirit.
HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY KISUMU FISH GROUP. CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK AND LET THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD SHINE IN WHATEVER YOU DO. IT IS MY PRAYER THAT THE LORD WILL GIVE US MANY MORE YEAR TO COME.
Fond Memories
James Okal
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
It has been 25 years!
25 years has passed by with a speed of a missile! The celebration’s theme of ‘let me be your witness’, strikes me when I meet young and old fish members. We have been and continue to be witnesses of the Lord in various ways. I founded Kondele boys later known as on Nairobi area boys in 1986. Went to Consolata, Langata with Denis Odinga Okiya, Late Deacon Paul Okello and Innocent Owino Jeje. Finished Philosophy with Denis Odinga and went to Novitiate, Sagana. I left Denis with Consolata when I crossed to Mill Hill Missisonaries after being kicked out from Novitiate. Ordained in 1996, the first African Millhiller and went to Cameroon, came back to Kenya, Kilgoris then to South Africa in 2002 till today. I believe that those who continue to be witnesses of the Lord in the religious life as Fish priests like Fr Josiah Okal, Fr Gordon and others I have not mentioned besides many Fish religious sisters and brothers have many reasons to celebrate these 25 years. My wish is that this group of Fish Priest, Sisters and Brothers keep contacts and become a support group of themselves in line with the Fish aims and Objectives that in my opinion are still alive and necessary in our lives. One never stops being a Fish as long as the aims and objectives are kept alive!
Married and Single Fish members of my time continue to be witnesses of Christ in their own small ways. Older members of my time should move on and continue the witness in various ways including being resource people to our younger members. We should look back with pride and look a head with hope and enthusiasm! The pool of resources and talents that have been built within the 25 yrs in the Fish Family is breathtaking! Just to mention one, dear Fish, if you are struggling with the ‘bottle’ and your life is in danger or your relationship is under threat, please do not hesitate. All you need to do is to dial 0726249153 and Mr Ogendi will be more than ready and qualified to assist you!!! Many other talents and resources are there just waiting to be tapped. I suggest that as we rejuvenate Fish and make them Parish based, let the talents and resources within the Fish Family be tabulated and made known to the membership for others to make use.
LET US THANK THE LORD FOR PAST 25 YRS, MAY THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US REST IN PEACE AND LET US CONTINUE TO BE THE LORD’S WITNESSES IN OUR OWN SMALL WAYS.
JJ, Rustenburg, South Africa.
Married and Single Fish members of my time continue to be witnesses of Christ in their own small ways. Older members of my time should move on and continue the witness in various ways including being resource people to our younger members. We should look back with pride and look a head with hope and enthusiasm! The pool of resources and talents that have been built within the 25 yrs in the Fish Family is breathtaking! Just to mention one, dear Fish, if you are struggling with the ‘bottle’ and your life is in danger or your relationship is under threat, please do not hesitate. All you need to do is to dial 0726249153 and Mr Ogendi will be more than ready and qualified to assist you!!! Many other talents and resources are there just waiting to be tapped. I suggest that as we rejuvenate Fish and make them Parish based, let the talents and resources within the Fish Family be tabulated and made known to the membership for others to make use.
LET US THANK THE LORD FOR PAST 25 YRS, MAY THE SOULS OF THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US REST IN PEACE AND LET US CONTINUE TO BE THE LORD’S WITNESSES IN OUR OWN SMALL WAYS.
JJ, Rustenburg, South Africa.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Lent is Here Again
Lent is always a powerful period during which the church goes through a prayerful reflection and rejuvenation. Its a great time to come to terms with our humanness and also to meet our Lord in the cross of our lives.
Last year Fr. Gordon took us through lent with powerful weekly reflections and I am hoping that he will again find time to take us through the same though this time he is a student and may be too busy.
However the fish group is full of highly spiritually resourceful lay people as well such as Martin Opondo, Ann Amimo, Charles Lwanga , etc. I would like to take this opportunity to invite people who are able to take us through the period with reflections based on the Church's lenten campaign of the year. I also invite other religious people like Emma, Fr. Gordon, Fr. Okal etc to join in in feeding us with this spiritual food at this time.
Last year Fr. Gordon took us through lent with powerful weekly reflections and I am hoping that he will again find time to take us through the same though this time he is a student and may be too busy.
However the fish group is full of highly spiritually resourceful lay people as well such as Martin Opondo, Ann Amimo, Charles Lwanga , etc. I would like to take this opportunity to invite people who are able to take us through the period with reflections based on the Church's lenten campaign of the year. I also invite other religious people like Emma, Fr. Gordon, Fr. Okal etc to join in in feeding us with this spiritual food at this time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)