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is far much better compared to the current one.We must accept that a constitution is ever amended and even some parts repealed.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carry it on.As christians we must be tolerant and pray to God that this part of the constitution be amended or even repealed at the earliest time possible once the new constitution is in place.Kenya will remain a religionless state or the church fraternity would have to propose a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

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.

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.

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.

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