Embers of Fire Emblem of Hope - ReliefWeb

Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 2009 1

Issue No. 34 January-March 2009 Quarterly Publication of Kenya Red Cross Society

Reach OutReach Out

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Drought in Kenya

Embers of FireEmblem of Hope

Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 200922

Contents

About the Kenya Red Cross Society

Drought in Kenya

Fire Tragedies

General Assembly

Psychosocial Support

Goodwill Ambassador

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6

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Millions face starvation

From embers of Nakumatt and Sachangwan

Turning despair to hope

Norika Fujiwara Visits Kenya

HIV/AIDS in PrisonRed Cross interventions

ELGON PEACE RUN26

The Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) is a humanitarian relief organisation created in 1965 through an Act of Parliament, Cap 256 of the Laws of Kenya. As a voluntary organisation, the Society operates through a network of 62 Branches spread throughout the country. The Society is a member of the International Red Cross and Red CrescentMovement, the largest humanitarian relief Movement represented in 185 countries worldwide.

VISION: To be the leading humanitarian organisation in Kenya, self-sustaining, delivering excellent quality service of preventing and alleviating human suff ering to the most vulnerable in the community.

MISSION: To build capacity and respond with vigour, compassion and empathy to those aff ected by disaster and at risk, in the most eff ective and effi cient manner.

Programmes• Disaster Preparedness and Response: Includes Disaster

Preparedness, Disaster Response, Special Programmes and Tracing.

• Health and Social Services: Includes First Aid, HIV and AIDS, Disease Prevention and Control, and Social Services.

• Water and Sanitation (WatSan): Includes WatSan, Software and Hardware.

• Human Capital and Organisational Development: Includes Youth and Volunteer Development, Human Resource, Information and Communication Technology and Dissemination.

• Supply Chain: Includes Business Development, Procurement, Warehousing and Logistics.

• Finance and Administration: Includes Finance and Administration.

The Offi ce of the Secretary General supervises the Deputy Secretary General, Public Relations, Internal Audit and Security.

AcknowledgmentsThe Kenya Red Cross appreciates all the donors that have made the production of this Reach Out possible. Information contained in this newsletter may be used provided that the Reach Out and the author or photographer concerned are credited as the source. The Editor must be notifi ed in writing and by sending a voucher copy. We welcome brief articles, reviews, illustrations and photographs for publication.

If you wish to receive a copy of the Reach Out on regular basis, and are not currently on the mailing list, please contact the Editor. You should also notify the Editor in case of changes in your address.

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Kenya to host global conference

Unsung Heroes & HeroinesAngels of Hope

A winner. A heifer for peace

Profi leCelebrating service to humanity

30


You can now reach your clients and stakeholders by advertising in the Reach Out, the leading humanitarian newsletter in the region by fi lling the coupon on page 31. Please contact the Public Relations offi ce to reserve your space and copies of the newsletter.

Reach Out is a quarterly publication of the Kenya Red Cross Society

GOVERNORPaul K. Birech

SECRETARY GENERALAbbas Gullet

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFTitus Mung’ou

EDITORSNelly MulukaJacob MurimiAlex Njoroge

Cynthia Cheruto

CONTRIBUTORS

Kenya Red Cross Society, P.O. Box 40712 00100-GPO, NairobiTel (+254 20) 603593,602465, 3950000. Mobile: 0722 206958, 0733333040. Fax: 603589.

Email: [email protected]. www.kenyaredcross.org

Sign

Up and

join Utu

Scheme

Titus Mung’ouNelly MulukaJacob MurimiAlex Njoroge

Hodhan IsmailSylvia KhamatiJackson Oduor

Angela Murungi

Fatuma AliSalima Mohamed

Mike AyabeiCaleb KilandeBrenda Alaka

Hellen MwangovyaHazina Nasir

Catherine Ntabadde

In 1859, a Swiss business man, Henry Dunant was on a business trip to

Italy that took him to the Town of Solferino. A vicious battle had just

taken place and thousands of dead, dying and wounded soldiers from

either side were scattered on the battlefield, abandoned. His

experience changed his life and the lives of millions of people to this

day.

The Legacy of Solferino: 150 Years of Humanity

2009


General AssemblyThe General Assembly is the supreme body of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Composed of delegates from all National Societies who are members of the Federation, it meets once every two years and determines the general policy of the organisation, elects the President, appoints the Secretary General, takes decisions on admission and suspension of National Societies, among other matters. Each member society is represented has one vote. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent has over 185 member National Societies, the largest global humanitarian organization. The Kenya Red Cross Society is one of the 185 Societies.

The General Assembly is followed by the Council of Delegates.

Council of DelegatesThe Council of Delegates brings together the

International Federation, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross. This meets every two years and adopts resolutions of Movement

action and advocacy.

Conference Venue Situated about 13km from the city center in a serene environment of Gigiri, the UN complex provides a state of the art conference and meeting facilities. The extensive conference facilities can host conferences for over 6000 delegates.

National Working Committee To start off the planning and event management of the conference, the Kenya Red Cross has formed a National Working Committee made up of key stakeholders from the government, sister society, private sector, partners and donors. The committee key responsibilities

will include providing an advisory role and ensuring that facilitates and services necessary for the conference and delegates are available.

Secretariat The Kenya Red Cross has established a secretariat that will be dedicated to the coordination of the preparation and planning of the conference with key stakeholders.

Abbas Gullet, Secretary General

Kenya to Host General Assembly

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and

management of the Kenya Red Cross Society, we are pleased and honoured to host the 17th General Assembly of the International Federation of the

Red Cross and Red Crescent and Council of Delegates in Nairobi

Kenya.

As you may be aware, the above meetings are held every two years and more

importantly; for the fi rst time in the Movement’s

history these meetings will be held in Africa. This event promises to attract over 1200 delegates from all the 185 countries across the world.

The successful bid to host this conference in Africa speaks volumes of the signifi cance of Africa within the Movement. We therefore have the opportunity to show case the true African spirit during the conference. Kenya encapsulates all that is best in Africa; not only the famous wildlife but also the opens spaces, excellent climate and the “next to none” warmth of the Kenyan people. We highly recommend that delegates take tours before or after the conference and experience the magic of Africa!

We aim to keep you engaged and involved by providing regular updates and informative progress on the Conference.

I look forward to hosting you in Nairobi Kenya in what promises to be an exciting and memorable African experience for all.

Karibu Kenya!

Event promises to attract over 1200 delegates from

185 countries

UN Headquarters, Gigiri, Nairobi: Venue of the conference.


Drought in Kenya

On 21st January 2009, Kenya Red Cross launched a Drought Appeal targeting Ksh

1,870,648,275 (CHF 28,343,156) to assist 2,627,909 drought-aff ected populations for 12 months. Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Abbas Gullet, while launching the appeal said some 230,000 people aff ected by the post election violence, receiving food under the emergency operations programme (EMOP), donated by the Government and World Food Programme (EMOP), were also to benefi t from the drought appeal.

“At least 500,000 school-going children will benefi t through this appeal,” said Gullet.The Media Owners Association (MOA) Chairman, Linus Gitahi, announced that the association will partner with Kenya Red Cross during the current appeal. He said the media owners had pledged to support the drought appeal by the Kenya Red Cross, by providing air time and newspaper space to rally the public and donors to raise funds and food to assist the aff ected areas.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Special Programmes, Ali Mohamed, lauded the Kenya Red Cross for launching the appeal, adding that already some donors have responded to the relief appeal made by the President, while thousands of people were receiving food aid from the state.

The drought appeal is based on a needs assessment indicating that Turkana, Mandera, Samburu, Baringo, Marsabit, Wajir, Moyale Garissa, Kitui, Mwingi, Makueni, Mbeere, Malindi, Kilifi , Kwale and Tana River are the worst-aff ected areas in the country. The districts fall in the marginal agricultural areas of Eastern, Coast and Central Provinces, pastoralists and agro-pastoralists Low precipitation, high food and non-food prices, crop failure, livestock disease, and confl ict has put the food security status of the people in these areas at a critical level

In areas where livestock is the only source of livelihood, many school-age children have dropped out of schools to look for food, graze animals or fetch water for domestic use.

The Government of Kenya fi gures indicate that 10 million people countrywide could face hunger and starvation after a poor harvest, crop failure and rising commodity prices. Subsequently, the Government declared a state of emergency on 9th January 2009 and appealed for food aid.The drought situation has been aggravated by eff ects of the post election violence in 2007/08 that aff ected most parts of the country.

The resultant displacement left many people unable to cultivate their farms. This was further worsened after thousands of others were aff ected by fl ash fl oods in the later part of the year, with devastating destruction of farmlands, properties, and water and sanitation infrastructure.

Impact of drought: Residents of North Eastern Province in search of pasture and water. Photo/Jacob Murimi

Donation: Residents of Kajiado District receive relief food from ABC Bank.

By TITUS MUNG’OU


Fire Tragedies

Kenya Red Cross Society responded to two successive fi re tragedies in Nairobi and Molo, that claimed at least 150 lives within a week.

In Nairobi, the Society carried recovery operations at Nakumatt Downtown Supermarket, after the building was gutted down on 28th January 2009.

Kenya Red Cross provided tracing and psychosocial support services to victims of the fi re tragedy. By the end of eight days of operations, the pathologists had confi rmed 26 bodies recovered from the site.

Kenya Red Cross staff and volunteers involved during the recovery eff orts were deployed as follows: 28th January (39), 29th January (76), 30th January (60) 31st January (63), 1st February (42), 2nd February (53) 3rd February (52), 4th February (48) and 5th February (22). The Society received support from a host of institutions and individuals including The Stanley Hotel, Nakumatt Holdings, Tuskys Supermarket, Hilton Hotel, Elizabeth Akor, Galitos, Knight Support, G4s, Kenya Police, Ministry of Defence and Nairobi City Council, among others. In psychosocial support, Kenya Red Cross worked with the Ministry of Special Programmes, Offi ce of the President, Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenya Counsellors Association, Maranatha Counselling College, Servants of the Sick, Amani Counselling

Centre, EACP, MCPCT and Comalink, among others. The psychosocial support and DNA tests on the victims of the fi re tragedy, was eff ectively coordinated by the City Mortuary staff , Biotech Forensics and pathologists.

Kenya Red Cross Tracing offi cers recorded 61 cases of missing persons, out of which 13 were cancelled after those earlier reported as missing were traced elsewhere.

Sachang’wan Oil Tanker ExplosionKenya Red Cross staff and volunteers in Molo and Nakuru provided emergency recovery, tracing, counselling and blood donation services following the tragic oil tanker inferno, at Sachang’wan area on 31st January 2009. The death toll at the scene of the tragedy was 89 people. Nakuru Provincial Hospital recorded 27 deaths while six deaths were reported in Nairobi. Kenya Red Cross Tracing Unit received 133 cases of missing persons in Molo and 74 cases in Nakuru. The Society’s Governor, Paul Birech, led the recovery eff orts in Sachang’wan.

Kenya Red Cross in partnership with the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service mobilised the donation of hundreds of units of blood across the country to assist victims of the Nakumatt Downtown and Molo oil tanker fi re tragedies. The Minister for Public Health and Sanitation, Hon. Beth Mugo, made an appeal to the public to donate at least 1000 units of blood for the victims.

Emblem of Hope: Kenya Red Cross personnel during Sachang’wan and Nakumatt fi re tragedies response. Photos/John Muhia & Alex Njoroge

A shell of of a vehicle burnt during the Sachang’wan fi re tragedy. Photo/John Muhia

By TITUS MUNG’OU


Drought in Kenya

By HODHAN ISMAIL

Since the launch of the Drought Appeal by the Kenya Red Cross in January 2009, there

have been a number of partnerships established to mobilise relief aid.rganisations. The current partnership is with the Media Owners Association, Nakumatt, Uchumi and Tuskys Supermarkets, Mercy Train Campaign, Radio Africa, Bamburi, Barclays Bank, Australian Red Cross, and Safaricom.

Kenya Red Cross partnered with Radio Africa, Nakumatt, and Uchumi outlets during the ‘24 Hours for Kenya’ food drive on 6th February 2009, which raised over 172MT of food and Ksh600,000 through MPESA account.

The second ‘24 Hours for Kenya’ campaign was on 13th March 2009, spearheaded by 16 radio stations, among them Kiss FM, Classic FM, X FM, Radio Jambo, East FM, Milele FM, Metro FM, KBC (Idhaa ya Taifa), Kameme FM, Kass FM, Iqra FM, Baraka FM, Sheki FM, Ghetto Radio. At least 287MT of relief food and Ksh1.626 million was raised through MPESA account. Kenya Red Cross also received support from the Mercy Train campaign, an initiative of the Standard Group, Kenya Railways, 98.4 Capital FM and Tusky’s Supermarkets, which is on a mission to feed as many Kenyans as possible who are in dire need of food aid through the Kenya Red Cross.

President Mwai Kibaki distributes relief food to drought-aff ected victims in Thika District, assisted by the Kenya Red Cross Thika Branch Chairman, Mr Peter Mwai (in KRC jacket).

Some residents of Turkana District District eating wild fruits, due to prolonged drought. Photo/Nelly Muluka

The Mercy Train initiative that aims to raise Ksh20 million had raised over Ksh10 million towards the drought appeal. A cargo train carrying 80MT of relief

food was fl agged off from Nairobi’s Railways Station for distribution through the following routes:

Nairobi-Ulu-Kiu-Kima-Sultan Hamud-Emali-Kibwezi-Mtito Andei-Mackinon Road-Samburu-Mombasa.

By the end of March 2009, Kenya Red Cross through the support from various partners had distributed over 3,528MT of relief food and raised Ksh125,619,741.

Distribution North Eastern Province had received 1,574MT distributed in Ijara, Mandera, Garissa, Wajir, and Tana

River Districts; Eastern Province 1,256MT distributed in Kitui, Mwingi, Kyuso, Machakos, Yatta, Kibwezi, Nzaui, Kangundo, Kajiado, Kaiti, Mbooni and Kilome among others.

In North West pastoral zone 468MT had been distributed in Turkana, Marsabit, West Pokot, Moyale, Samburu and Isiolo, while South Rift had received 64MT distributed in Narok and Laikipia. Coast Province had received 161MT distributed in Kwale and Kilifi . Nairobi area received 4.6MT.

Donations to Drought Appeal

By ALEX NJOROGE

Some schools destroyed during the 2007/08 post election

violence in the North Rift Region were offi cially opened on 12th March 2009, after reconstruction that was coordinated by the Kenya Red Cross.

The schools reconstructed with funding from Africa Online were Arnesens Secondary School, Ngarua Primary School and Sugoi Secondary School.

Present during the opening ceremony were Ministers Dr Naomi Shaban (Special Programmes) and Hon William Ruto (Agriculture), area MP, Hon Margaret Kamar, Acting Chief Executive Offi cer of Africa Online, Mr Shiletsi Makhofane, Kenya Red Cross Governor, Paul Birech, Secretary General, Abbas Gullet and Head of Supply Chain, Susan Ng’ong’a. Mr Makhofane thanked the Kenya Red Cross for a job well done.

Hon Ruto hailed the Kenya Red Cross for reconstructing the schools and pledged continued support to the Society.

Reconstruction Kenya Red Cross is coordinating the construction of 1000 houses for IDPs in North Rift Region. By the end of March 2009, the Society had supported construction of houses funded by institutions indicated in brackets:

• 310 IDP houses (Netherlands Red Cross)

• 120 IDP houses (Vodafone and Safaricom Foundations)

IDPs: House Reconstruction

From right, Minister for Agriculture, Hon William Ruto, KRC Governor, Paul Birech and Special Programmes Minister, Dr Noami Shaban, during the opening of a reconstructed Ng’arua School in North Rift. Photos/Alex Njoroge and Abdulaziz Mirza

Sugoi Girls School building after reconstruction. Inset, a section of the building destroyed during the post election violence.

• 10 IDP houses (Australian High Commission)• 10 IDP houses (Kenya Commercial Bank)• Kipsangui and Sugoi schools (Vodafone and

Safaricom)Foundations• Ngarua School (Africa Online)

At least 73 IDP houses are currently under construction.


Drought in Kenya

24 Hours for Kenya

Thousands of people donated food and money towards the drought appeal in Kenya during the

24 Hours for Kenya initiative that brought together more than 16 radio stations, on 13th March 2009. The initiative helped raise 287.711MT of relief food and Ksh1.626 million, through the M-Pesa.

The radio stations involved in 24 Hours for Kenya were: Kiss FM, Classic FM, Radio Jambo, X FM, East FM, Milele FM, Metro FM, KBC -Idhaa ya Taifa, Kameme FM, Kass FM, Iqra FM, Baraka FM, Sheki FM and Getto Radio, among others.

Earlier in February, a partnership between Radio Africa, Nakumatt Holdings and Kenya Red Cross helped raise 172 tonnes of relief food and Ksh600,336 through M-pesa.

During a hand over event on 10th February 2009, the Media Owners Association (MOA) Vice Chairman, Martin Khafafa, who is also the Group General Manager of Radio Africa, expressed the commitment of the media to help the drought aff ected people. Also present during the ceremony were Kiss 100 and Classic 105 presenters Caroline Mutoko and Carol Radull, Nakumatt and Kenya Red Cross offi cials who joined the Radio Africa team to fl ag off trucks loaded with relief food from the Society’s Headquarters.Donations made during the ’24 Hours for Kenya’ were collected at Nakumatt Supermarkets countrywide.

“Kenya Red Cross is an excellent body and has been doing a fantastic job, not only during drought but also in responding to other disasters,” said Thiagarajan Ramamurthy, Nakumatt’s Director of Operations.

Safaricom Donation

Safaricom Company Ltd donated to the Kenya Red Cross 100MT of food to be distributed in the drought-aff ected areas. The company also donated Sh11 million for rehabilitation of Katalwa borehole in Mwingi District.

On 29th January 2009, the staff of Safaricom Company Ltd and Kenya Red Cross distributed Unimix to hundreds of children, mainly in pre-unit and primary schools, in Yatta District, Eastern Province.

Daniel Kimeu, the Nursing Offi cer at Eendei Dispensary in Kithyoko Location said approximately a third of the

children in the district were at risk of malnutrition. By the time of distribution of the Unimix, the dispensary had checked 90 children for malnutrition.

Kenya Red Cross National Executive Council member, Hon. Laban Kitele, commended Safaricom for the humanitarian gesture under the drought appeal, adding that the company’s corporate social responsibility programme had made a great diff erence in most parts of the country.

The Society’s Head of Disaster Management, Abdinoor Mohamed, told the gathering that at least 12,000 bags of rice, 4,000 bags of maize and 5,000 bags of Unimix had been received by KRC from the Government.

From right, Radio Africa presenters Carol Radull and Caroline Mutoko, join Thiagarajan Ramamurthy, Nakumatt’s Director of Operations to fl ag off a truck carrying relief food. Photo/Jacob Murimi

A truck carrying relief food donated during the second ‘24 Hours for Kenya’ campaign by 16 radio stations being fl agged off at KRC warehouse, Nairobi. Photo/Jacob Murimi

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Abbas Gullet (left) receives a cheque from the Safaricom Foundation Head of Legal and Regulatory Aff airs, Nzioka Waitwa. Photos/Jacob Murimi

A donation of Unimix from Safaricom Foundation in Yatta District. Photo/Jacob Murimi


RedCourt Hotel

Photos: 1-2 Red Court Hotel phase two

Photos: 3-4 RedCourt Nyeri Hotel. Situated off Othaya Road, opposite Ruring’u Stadium, RedCourt Nyeri is the latest bud off the RedCourt Hotel brand.

Ideal for team building, weddings and conferences.The RedCourt Nyeri has two meeting rooms and two syndicate rooms with a state-of-the-art business centre.

Hotel capacity - 100 persons

2

1

3

4

Nyeri


Kenya Red Cross received a donation of Ksh11.5 million from the Barclays Bank on 23rd February 2009.

The Chairman of the Barclays Kenya, Mr Francis Okello, presented the cheque to KRC Secretary General, Abbas Gullet. The Chairman also donated about 20MT of assorted dry foods raised by the Bank’s staff . The food was fl agged off from KRC Headquarters for distribution in Lower Eastern Region.

Drought During the presentation of the cheques at KRC Headquarters, the Nation Media Group’s Editorial Director, Mr Wangethi Mwangi, thanked the Society for a commendable job in tackling the drought.

Kenya Red Cross Deputy Secretary General, Dr James Kisia, who received the cheques thanked the media for the generous contribution. Also present was KRC Emergency Accounts Manager, Mr Arthur Ogonji.

Kenya Women Trust Fund

Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) donated relief food worth Ksh1.5 million to Kenya Red Cross, on 19th March 2009. The Chief Executive Offi cer of KWFT,

On 9th March 2009, the Nation Media Group presented a cheque for Ksh5 million to the Kenya

Red Cross Society, and another cheque for Ksh103,000 from the Nation Media Group Distributors (Save a Life Fund) towards the drought appeal.

Nation Media Group

Barclays Bank Donation

Nation Media Group Editorial Director, Wangethi Mwangi (left) writes a cheque for the drought appeal. Looking on is KRC Deputy Secretary General, Dr James Kisia.. Photos/Alex Njoroge

Nation Media Group staff carry a bag of relief maize donated to Kenya Red Cross.

Jennifer Riria, noted that the Trust had mobilised the relief, mainly targeting thousands of women aff ected by drought. She hailed the Kenya Red Cross for effi cient infrastructure and transparency while handling various disasters.

Riria appealed to the Government to put in place policies to ensure that Kenyans are fed at all times, adding that the country had enough food, but lack policies to streamline production and access. KWFT Chairperson, Grace Madoka, said the Trust was proud to be associated with the Kenya Red Cross in reaching out to the needy people.

Kenya Red Cross Secretary General, Abbas Gullet, commended KWFT for the donation, observing that the drought situation in the country had not improved even after the onset of short rains.

“We are stepping forward because we are committed to supporting communities as part of our Community

Investment Programme,” said Mr Okello.

Mr Gullet thanked the Barclays Bank of Kenya for the donation saying the money would be used to assist populations aff ected by drought, including the school feeding programmes in boarding schools.


in Kenya Mercy Train

Bamburi Cement DonationBamburi Cement donated Ksh4 million to the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) towards the drought appeal. During a brief ceremony at KRC Headquarters on 30th March 2009, the Bamburi Cement Managing Director, Mr Hussein Mansi, hailed the relationship between the Society and the cement company saying the two institutions had partnered in diverse projects during the last fi ve years.

Mr Mansi pledged more support to enable KRC come up with long-term solutions to drought-related issues. Bamburi Cement Company also donated Ksh1 million to KRC through the ‘Mercy Train’ initiative.

The Society’s Deputy Secretary General, Dr James Kisia, thanked the Bamburi Cement Company for the generous donation and its involvement in various corporate social responsibility activities.

“The solution to famine is beyond provision of food. There is need to review policies to ensure water harvesting during rainy seasons. Farmers should be empowered to produce food cheaply as a way to eradicate perennial famine,” said Dr Kisia.

Kenya Red Cross Head of Disaster Management, Abdinoor Mohamed, noted that drought had caused devastating impact on people’s lives.

Bamburi Cement Company MD, Hussein Mansi (left) presents a cheque to KRCS Deputy SG, Dr James Kisia. Right, KRCS Head of Disaster Management, Abdinoor Mohamed and Mr Mansi, fl ag off a truck carrying relief food donated by Bamburi Company.

A group of corporate organisations launched an initiative to raise money and food to help thousands

of Kenyans aff ected by drought.

Through the initiative, the Standard Group, Tuskys Supermarkets, Capital FM, KCB and Kenya Railways aim to raise food and cash worth Ksh20 million, to feed the starving people in a campaign dubbed ‘Tuungane Tuokoe Maisha’ During the function, on 5th March 2009, held at I&M Building, the shareholders agreed to channel the donations through the Kenya Red Cross for distribution

to targeted populations. As part of the agreement, Kenya Railways in collaboration with the Rift Valley Railways pledged to drop off the relief consignments to areas within their network. The ‘Mercy Train’ initiative drop off points are in Tuskys Supermarkets. The train journey starts from Nairobi to Mombasa, stopping to drop off food in areas seriously aff ected by drought.

Partners in the initiative donated over Ksh6m, while KTN pledged to donate airtime worth Ksh5m.

Right, Minister for Special Programmes, Mercy Train initiative. Photos/ Jacob Murimi and Alex Njoroge

From left, the Standard Group Deputy Chairman & Strategic Adviser, Paul Melly, Tuskys General Manager, Frank Kamau, Kenya Railways Managing Director, Nduva Muli, KCB Chief Executive Offi cer, Martin Oduor, KRC Secretary General, Abbas Gullet, and Capital Group General Manager, Cyrus Kamau.


Don

Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 2009t14

DonDon

H.E. President Mwai Kibaki presents a cheque to KRCS Secretary General, Abbas Gullet (left).

ABC Bank American Women Association

Nation Media Group Banson Travel Com21

Davis&Shirtliff ABC Bank Equity Bank

Heritage Insurance Housing Finance Company of Kenya Hindu Council of Kenya


ations

Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 2009t 15

ationsations

Longhorn Publishers Imperial Bank I&M Bank

Magnet Venture Kenya Orient Insurance Juja Preparatory and Senior School

Nairobi Stock Exchange Mutui Museo New KCC

Manish Nigerian Community Noonkopir Secondary School

Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 200916 Reach Out Newsletter Issue No. 34 January-March 2009t16

DonationsDonations

Jabavu Adventist residents Rising Star Rotary International

St Austine Academy Steadman Staff Studio Owners

UAP Insurance Uchumi Supermarket Uthiru Girls School

Virgin Atlantic World Agroforestry IFRC, Nairobi staff


DonationsTHANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATION

Kenya Red Cross wishes to thank the following institutions and individuals for the generous donations towards the Drought Appeal launched in January 2009.

This list covers January-March 2009 donations. Another list of donors will be published in the next edition of Reach Out newsletter.

Drought Appeal DataTarget pop = 2.5 millionTotal Appeal = Ksh1.8 billion

Status of DonationsFood Received & Distributed= 3900MTCash donations = Ksh88,365,403

Government of Kenya

Humanitarian AgenciesAmerican Red CrossAustralian Red Cross IFRC Staff International Federation of the Red Cross –Horn of Africa Appeal

MediaMedia Owners Association (Partner)Nation Media GroupRadio Africa Group (Partner)Standard GroupStudio Owners, Nairobi

Other PartnersMercy Train Initiative (Partner)Nakumatt SupermarketsUchumi SupermarketsTusky’s Supermarkets

BanksABC BankBarclays Bank of KenyaBarclays Bank of Kenya Staff Barclays Buruburu Staff Barclays PAISBarclays Eastleigh BranchCo-operative bank of Kenya Cooperative Bank of Kenya, Githurai Branch Eco Bank Kenya Ltd.Equity Bank-Projects and PMO Dept.Equity Eastleigh BranchHousing FinanceImperial Bank LtdI&M BankStandard Chartered Bank Victoria Commercial Bank

Organisations/Institutions/AssociationsA.P. Moller – Maersk GroupAAR Holdings Limited Africa Population and Health Research CentreAga Khan CouncilAmerican Women’s AssociationAshut EngineersAssa Abloy Auto Village Bamburi Cement Beba Beba Artists Brookside Andy SchoolBunson TravelCarmax E.A. LTDChevron Kenya LimitedCom Twenty LimitedComplete Credit Ltd.Concern WorldwideCreative Innovation Crown PaintsCrystal Valuers Davis and Shirtliff Debenham & Fear Ltd.Diani FlowersDHLDonholm ParishEast Mart EastleighExpress TravelFriends of the Hungry – Wilson CharterGathani Ltd.Gelati Ltd. Gikomba Youth Group Glaxosmithkline

Hass Petroleum Heritage Insurance Heten DataHill Park HotelHindu Council of KenyaHoliday Inn HotelHotel PlanJabavu Adventist residentsJudiciary DepartmentKamba Women’s Group Kentours Sacco LtdKenya Association of Travel AgentsKenya Association of ManufacturersKenya OrientKentech Data Ltd.Kenya Wildlife SaccoKenya Women Finance TeamKimani and Michuki Advocates Kimisitu Sacco LALJILomson CompanyLonghorn PublishersMaendeleo ya WanawakeMagnate Ventures LtdMantrac Kenya LtdMessage Labs AfricaMillenium Swift Wings – Kipkaren Exotic Farm Mitsumi Computer Garage LtdMombasa and Coast Tourist AssociationMutui Museo InitiativeNairobi Ecumenical GroupNairobi Stock ExchangeNanak Trucking Nestle Kenya LtdNew KCC LtdOkoa Maisha Initiative Orbit Chemicals Ltd.Osho ChemicalsP.E.V.U KomarockPangani Oriental WholesalersParminder Singh SandhuPipe ManufacturersPlanning and Interiors LtdPremier Ltd.Prochem Industries LtdPortcrossPwani Oil CompanyRamgharia Youth AssociationRockwellResolution HealthRotary ClubSafaricom Foundation Safaricom Staff Sarova White Sands HotelShelter AfriqueShree Wanza Union Soloh Worldwide International S.S. Jain SanghSouth African AirwaysSouth Indian Cultural CommunitySparks Self Help Group St Anne Small Christian CommunitySymbion InternationalTayiana Garden Spa LtdTonoworks Steel Ltd.The Cameroonian Community

The Steadman Group Ltd Staff Tile & Carpet Ltd Track It Ltd.Trade De BureauUAP InsuranceUnga LimitedUnited Nations Kenya staff InitiativeUNEP STAFFVillage Markets Kids Club Virgin AtlanticWorld Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)Zain, Mombasa

Research and Academic InstitutionsCodsad Community-Daystar UniversityCompit SchoolInternational School of KenyaJuja Prepatory and Senior SchoolKenyatta University Students Initiative Kilimani Junior Mkaimurungnya Secendoray School Musa Gitau Primary SchoolNew York City Department of EducationNoonkopir Girls Secondary Riara Group of schoolsRosslyn Academy Elementary SchoolSt. Austin’s AcademyTop Chefs Culinary InstituteUniversities of Nairboi, Kenyatta University, J.K.U.A.T Uthiru Girls School

Individuals Mr. Abdirahman AbdillahiMs. Agneta OkobaMr. Ahmed Mohamed Osman AyubMr. Andreas Erich Rhode Ms. Ann Palmer & Susan HaworthMr. Ben Ngugi and FriendsMr. Charles KinyaMs. Doris Wanjiru Kinuthia Mr. Elija MigwiMr. Furhana NordinMs. Jamila Manji Mr. Joel KuriaMr. Kundan DoshiMr. and Mrs. Kanyi Ms. Lydia LeloMr. Mahesh PatelDr. Rajnikant Veghela Mr. and Mrs. N. Merali Hon. Mohammed Hussein Mr. Njeru Kirira Mr. Patrick MutekethoMr. Peter KennethMr. Peter NjagiMr. Stephen MwikigiMr. Surjit K. Davatwal


Nakumatt Fire By MICHAEL AYABEI

Wednesday 28th February 2009 is

a day that will linger in my mind for a long time. I had planned my day’s activities with community members in Mathare, Nairobi. As we were about to start the second phase of the day’s activities, I

received a phone call from a Nairobi Branch volunteer.

“Mike, there has been a loud blast in the CBD, smoke is all over the streets,” he exclaimed.He went on to say he did not know the exact location of the blast. I quickly assembled a disaster response team of about 24 volunteers and left Mathare community, hurrying to the Kenya Red Cross Headquarters in South C, wondering what the matter was.

The KRC landcruiser was literally fl ying along Mombasa road with sirens blaring, only to be caught up in the famous traffi c jam. Fortunately, the response team was recognised as the ambulance weaved through the traffi c jam towards the city centre.

I followed closely in a private car after placing the Kenya Red Cross sticker on the car’s bonnet. I also switched on the head lights, using whatever means possible, I raced behind the landcruiser. By this time, we had learnt that the Nakumatt Downtown supermarket in the city center was on fi re.

The DRT advance team from Mathare arrived at the scene in less than 10 minutes and embarked on the operation. The number of KRC respondents was 124 people, including staff from the Headquarters. There were volunteers from Laikipia, Machakos, Limuru, Nairobi, Karen-Langata and Thika branches.

Daniel Mutinda, the overall team leader, was in command, having arrived at the scene minutes earlier. He reported the situation, which I relayed to the Headquarters. On reaching Nakumatt Supermarket, I assumed command of the recovery operations. There was confusion. I divided

the DRT team into four groups, covering all corners of the building. Usually, the DRT team works in four major groups of between fi ve to six members. Fortunately, the DRT members are trained in First Aid, Disaster Management and Fire Safety. These skills came in handy during the tragedy.

As the fi re brigade teams fought the fi re, the DRT team provided support in First Aid and logistics. The public expected much from the Kenya Red Cross team - perhaps a miracle of some kind. I remember hearing a telephone conversation that raised my eyebrows. The caller said, “Fire brigade wako hapa, lakini sasa Red Cross wamefi ka”. (Fire Brigade is here, but Red Cross has arrived) – may be hopeful we could do something better to save the situation. The fi re raged on, consuming the former busy supermarket from all corners.

After the fi re was put out on the second day, the response teams started the hardest part of the operation - retrieval of bodies. Initial reports had indicated that the building was fully evacuated immediately after it caught fi re. This was not the case, some people were trapped inside. Accompanied with a pathologist and forensic experts, the DRT team started digging through the rubbles searching for missing people. I led the team in retrieving fi ve bodies from the site. Each time, I encouraged my team to face the task head on.

For seven days, we combed through the debris of the building for more bodies. At times we found victims! It was a thorough exercise. Morning till evening we received great support from the psychosocial support teams who provided counseling and debriefi ng services to the team. It is sad that lives were lost. However, we were encouraged to have served humanity.

Kenya Red Cross Society coordinated and provided logistical support to doctors from France and India, who arrived in

the country to carry out plastic surgery on the victims of Sachang’wan oil tanker tragedy, in Rift Valley Province.

The doctors (right picture, with KRCS Deputy SG, Dr James Kisia, third left) were two doctors from France, Chateua Frianjais (Plastic Surgeon) and Ainaud Pierie (Anaesthetic and Burn Specialist) who travelled to Nakuru where at least 50 patients were to benefi t from their services. Others were doctors from India, Dr M.F. Sheikh (Plastic Surgeon), Dr Manar Swri (Plastic Surgeon) and Dr Nitin Parmar (Surgeon) all from Ahmedabad. Dr Sheikh was at Kenyatta National Hospital where some 25 patients had been admitted, while his colleagues joined some French doctors in Nakuru. Two other doctors from New Delhi, India, were also in Nakuru for reconstructive surgery on victims of the oil tanker explosion that occurred on 31st January 2009.

Plastic Surgeons in Kenya

KRC personnel during recovery eff orts at Nakumatt buildingKRC staff , Mike Ayabei, consoles a distraught relative of a victim of Nakumatt fi re tragedy


By SYLVIA KHAMATI

Did you know that every 10 minutes, someone in Kenya needs blood? Just why

does one need blood in his body. Blood is life.

Blood as Therapy Blood transfusion is regularly used in case of surgery, trauma, gastrointestinal bleeding and childbirth to replace major blood loses. Cancer patients often require blood transfusion. Some genetic disorders aff ect the blood such as thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia. The shape of the blood cells may be aff ected, leading to their impaired functioning and consequent destruction. Persons with these disorders require regular supplies of safe blood to replace their defi cient blood.

The blood used for transfusion must come from healthy people with healthy blood. Blood is not only a living tissue but is also a renewable one, with healthy people having the mechanism to make more blood. By donating blood, the gift of life can be given easily without fear of regular blood donation weakening a person, leading to impotency or hastening the ageing process.

Blood ComponentsWhole blood is still frequently used for transfusion, particularly where blood services have limited facilities and resources, but the processing of units of whole blood into their constituent components is becoming common. Depending on their clinical condition, most patients need only one component or product, thus this process enables a unit of whole blood used for more patients.

Blood and blood products are also used for prevention of conditions that might result in severe morbidity or mortality. Every minute of the day, blood products are being used for people who are exposed or at risk. In this category fall immunoglobulin, which are used, for example, to treat abdominal functions of the immune system. Many people with Heamophilia lead normal lives if they are given clotting factors such as Factor VIII, a blood product derived from plasma.- The writer is the First Aid and Blood Donor Manager.

Facts About Blood

On 31st January 2009, a fi re was reported in Nambale Division, in Busia District.

The fi re was caused by children who were burning sugar cane rubbish. There were no casualties in the incident. Kenya Red Cross Busia Branch received support from the West Kenya Regional offi ce. The Regional Manager, Pamelah Indiaka

(picture distributing blankets), led the team in the response by providing blankets, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, bar soaps, collapsible jerricans, kitchen sets, sanitary towels, bathing towels, tea leaves and cooking fat. Busia District Commissioner accompanied the Red Cross team to the site.

Fire Tragedy in Busia


Sexual Reproductive Health

By SALIMA MOHAMED

Monitoring represents an ongoing activity to track project progress against planned tasks. It aims to provide

regular oversight of the implementation of project activities.

This can be done through routine data gathering, analysis and reporting. Evaluation on the other hand represents a systematic and objective assessment of ongoing or completed projects or programmes in terms of their design, implementation and results.

In addition, evaluations usually deal with strategic issues such as program/project relevance, eff ectiveness, effi ciency (expected and unexpected), in the light of specifi ed objectives, as well as program/project impact and sustainability. In line with the Kenya Red Cross Society’s Strategic Plan of 2006-2010 on ensuring eff ective monitoring and evaluation of project activities, the Health and Social Services Department with support from the International Federation of the Red Cross/Crescent Societies (IFRC), Zone offi ces, trained two Programme Assistants in Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS).

During the training, they were taken through sessions on development of data collection tools and also how to analyse the data collected, so as to generate reports. The branches have shared the tools with their Programme Assistants who are in the process of coming up with one data collection tool that can be used by all the branches and this will also help cross reference among the diff erent branches.

By NELLY MULUKA

A team from Kenya Red Cross (KRC) and two journalists from Finland visited West Pokot and

Nakuru districts from 8-13 February 2009 to assess the Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) programmes in the region, which are supported by the Finnish Red Cross. The team comprised the Finnish Red Cross SRH Project Manager, Jukka Pietilainen, KRC Disease Prevention Manager, James Mwangi, SRH Project Offi cer, Stella Chelating, Acting Branch Coordinator Bosco Lolem and Communications Offi cer, Nelly Muluka.

The team visited Sigor in West Pokot where they attended a baraza that addressed issues on family planning, safe motherhood, female genital mutilation (FGM) and HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention. A role play was performed by the volunteers on the side eff ects of FGM. The audience was thrilled and participated actively in the talks that followed. After the sensitisation session, a box containing 6,000 pieces of condoms were distributed to the participants who also asked many questions.

From the discussions at the baraza, it was clear that FGM is highly regarded as a cultural practice in the region. An old man furiously interrupted the meeting saying, “If you people don’t want to get circumcised, and then go to where the practice is not done”. Acceptance of condom use and education was, however,

Monitoring Health Projects

Visiting team from Finland and Nairobi are entertained by women dancers in West Pokot, during the SRH programme fi eld assessment.

A public meeting to sensitise community members on SRH issues. A monitoring and evaluation session

received positively by majority of the people. This was evident as the people did not mind helping themselves with the condoms available after the meeting. They accepted to watch condom use demonstration unlike in the past when they condemned facilitators and even stopped them from proceeding with the lessons. The team later visited households in Lomut Shopping centre where diff erent Reproductive Health messages were passed on. The team also visited a chief’s baraza in Arpollo. The delegation headed to Nakuru with and visited Sexual Reproductive Health project area in Njoro and Mau- Narok and Lare divisions.


that is crucial for preventing communicable diseases for children . After that I visited the primary school in Isiolo for interacting with children through drawing, folding paper (Origami), drama, poem, and dance. I could fi nd children’s energy and will through their performances. I was very amazed by their power and brightness.

In Eskot village, I interviewed a mother who had been benefi ted by IHOP support. In this village, there is no doctor, no nurse, and no medical service. Instead, there are fear and diffi culties for pregnant mothers. When she was in a full month, she had a problem and asked her husband for his help because her husband is KRC volunteer under IHOP. Her husband, IHOP team and community people supported to transfer her to the hospital. Eventually, she had delivered a healthy baby girl called ‘Red Crescent’. She put the name ‘Red Crescent’ to her baby because she appreciated IHOP and the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement to save her and her baby’s life. She also stated that she wants her baby to become a Red Cross volunteer. I was so touched. I was happy to see the spirit and movement of KRC staff , volunteers, and Ms Maki Igarashi, Japanese Red Cross Health Delegate in the villages for trying to improve people’s health and hygiene status with communities.

The support and funds from Japanese Red Cross Society is donated by each and every Japanese people. I paused to realise that this support has defi nitely helped and been useful for people in Isiolo and Garbatulla for improving their health, hygiene and sanitation. I was truly happy that Japanese people’s wishes are linked to people in Kenya through the Red Cross and Crescent Movement.

When I am back in Japan, I would like to report to Japanese people all about what I saw and felt in Kenya. In addition, I want to emphasize that we have the strong linkage between Kenyans and Japanese even though we have a long distance between Kenya and Japan. Last but at least, I will try to speak in public to Japanese people and society about the situation in Isiolo and Kenya and my experiences on this trip to promote this important relationship between the two and the Red Cross movement and activities which could connect between people in Kenya and Japan.”

The Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS)

Goodwill Ambassador, Norika Fujiwara, arrived in Kenya on 19th March 2009 and toured Isiolo District where the Japanese Red Cross is supporting the Integrated Health Outreach Project (IHOP).

Ms Fujiwara (pictured) performs in TV dramas

and movies. She is a master of entertainment events, a reporter of sports, CM spot appearance for various companies such as pharmaceutical and food companies. Her charitable activities include volunteership in the Great Hanshin Earthquake in Japan in 1995, visit to Afghanistan in 2001, photo exhibition of Afghanistan in 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2007 in Japan.She addressed the media in Nairobi, on 24th March 2009. The following are excerpts from her speech:

“I went to Isiolo and Garbatulla where Kenya Red Cross is implementing IHOP (Integrated Health Outreach Project). I monitored and experienced IHOP activities and interacted with KRC staff and volunteers, MoH staff , people and children in the villages.

In Garbatulla, I visited IHOP Mobile Medical Outreach in Eskot village, and I talked to a pregnant mother about her condition and feeling about having a mobile medical outreach and experienced to measure child’s malnutrition level. I also interviewed with a mother who was helped by KRC volunteers. In Tana village, I experienced IHOP activities, for example, I joined cleaning up the village with children, making a dish rack and a compost pit, Mosquito net re-treatment for Malaria prevention.

Moreover, I visited Garbatulla District Hospital to meet DMHT staff and patients and looked around the hospital and monitored the condition of the hospital. There were no lighting system, not enough beds, and only one refrigerator for vaccines in Garba Tulla area

Japanese Goodwill Ambassador

Norika joins a welcome dance by village women and KRC Volunteers

Norika standing with village women and children.


Psychosocial Support

By HELLEN MWANGOVYA

Psychosocial support care is an important component in emergency response services. At

such times, counsellors are an asset. Their key role is to reassure, comfort, solve problems (generally known as debriefi ng), counsel and facilitate referrals for support and management where necessary.

Psychosocial suff ering is a characteristic of most individuals and collective experience of displacement. Normally, the displacements especially war or confl ict-related could be accompanied by stress factors such as economic constraints, security, breakdown of social and primary economic structures, devaluation or modifi cation of social roles, violence, persecution and discrimination, loss of loved ones, unstable and precarious life conditions, access to services and loss of systems of social and cultural meaning.

Mitigation and eventual restoration of these stress factors is key in the rehabilitation and reconstruction process. Mental health is signifi cant in the well`being of an individual. The need to incorporate psychosocial support and trauma recovery eff orts in the early stages of the emergency response cannot be over-emphasised.

Children may appear more resilient in their response and recovery from disaster. However, they are at risk of post-traumatic stress disorders depression and anxiety as well as possible developmental delays. Focusing on recent disasters that rocked the country and whose impact will remain for some time, the KRC Psychosocial Support Unit stood out strongly. Moments after the fi re tragedy at Nakumatt Downtown supermarket in Nairobi, resources were mobilised quickly and in a matter of minutes there was a well-established emergency psychosocial support unit on site.

As the rescue work commenced, a pre-debrief session for the rescue workers was done. Under

the technical support from stakeholders such as the Ministry of State for Public Service, Kenyatta National Hospital, Amani Counselling Centre, Kenya Counsellors Association, Servants of the Sick, and Ministry of Special Programmes, Egerton University and Baraton University, who worked with KRC team.Calming down irate mourners, some with suicidal tendencies, is the most challenging task. However, with mediation and trauma counselling skills, the counsellors who were backed with psychiatric nurses did their best during this time. As they entered the ‘magic’ tent, the level of hysteria was distractive, leaving bystanders in tears and confused. But as they emerged from the tent dispair had been replaced with some composure. It left many people with mixed feelings, even begging for answers.

Establishment of a Protection UnitKenya Red Cross has a vast experience in protection issues, dating back to the pre-independence era when the Society established a centre for the physically handicapped children in Embu, the Provincial Headquarters of North Eastern Province. The Jomo Kenyatta Children’s Home for the Physically Handicapped was started as a self-help project of the Kenya Red Cross Society, Embu Branch. It aims aim was to assist the physically handicapped children within the municipality and its environs. The project targeted children with physical disabilities mainly focal amelia, tulips and congenital imperfection among others. The idea was born out of a realisation that handicapped children did not have an opportunity to join ordinary schools. It therefore focused on breaking the barriers and provide a friendly environment for children to learn.

Providing psychosocial support.

Support to a physically challenged person

- Mwangovya is the KRC Social Services Programme Offi cer


Covering long distances alone in a truck, about 1000km or more, especially in a rough terrain, bandit-prone areas and hostile climates is a big challenge s u r m o u n t e d by KRC drivers, thanks to the public knowledge of Red Cross as a neutral and impartial organisation.

At all times during emergencies, our supervisors often direct responses within the shortest time possible. The responsibility is normally left to the driver to make sure that the relief supplies reach the benefi ciaries fast and safely.

As a KRC driver, spinning the wheels of humanity is my greatest motivation.- Jackson Oduor (JLO)

Worst Drought in My Life

For Grace Mulwa, 67, a widow in

Makueni District, in Lower Eastern Region, it has been two seasons without a harvest. Withered maize, millet, sorghum and cow peas in her 4-acre farm depict the ruthless drought ravaging many provinces of the country. Nothing seems to turn for the

better – starvation is on the rise.

“This is the worst drought in my entire life. I don’t think we are going to cope up in the coming days if we don’t receive relief food,” said Grace, a mother of 12 children, one of them a 49 year-old son whose family is facing the worst starvation in the recent times.

As the scorching sun decimates crops and pasture in the district, Grace and hundreds of villagers have been forced to rely on wild vegetables gathered after trekking for kilometres to forests. Kenya Red Cross assessment team found Grace in her home, preparing unripe cow peas and wild vegetables, for a meal for her family.

“We normally have one meal a day,” she added, her children and grandchildren pensively waiting to have a meal. Thousands of people in Kenya, especially in rural areas, have experienced crop failure and unreliable rains, most of them eating wild vegetables and fruits. Livestock diseases and deaths are on the rise, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions.

The Kenya Red Cross HIV/AIDS Peer Education Programme, Nairobi Branch, hosted two visitors from the

Netherlands Red Cross. Ton Hlijzer (Head of International Development) and Maria Twerda (Netherlands Regional Offi ce-Nairobi) conducted a meeting with the Prevention Assistant and the Branch Coordinator to familiarise themselves with the Programme and Branch activities.

They visited Korogocho Altaawon Youth Organisation where youth shared their experiences on Peer Education in a slum setting. A home visit to a Peer Educator was also made. Altawoon is an Arab word meaning united. The organisation’s goal is to unite youth through self-help and development activities. Some of the projects implemented by Altaawon include an education project, pre-school, library, health and livelihoods.

The objective of the visit was to asses the situation on the ground and plan on how to strengthen networking and collaboration among the youth network and the Peer Education Programme in order to reach more vulnerable youth in Korogocho. The KRC HIV/AIDS Programme Manager, Dorothy Muriithi, accompanied the delegates.

Netherlands Red Cross Youth in Korogocho

I arrived in the offi ce at 6.15am after picking staff from the city centre and started cleaning the vehicle and attended

to service transport requests from offi cers by driving them to specifi ed destinations for meetings and deliveries. In the afternoon, an emergency alarm was raised and we rushed to the ambulance heading to the scene of a disaster. This is a job that normally lasts between three to four days.

As I turned my head to have a glimpse of the casualties being loaded into the ambulance I was driving, I stretched my hand to reach the siren switch and sped off from the scene to the hospital. Having arrived from a food distribution exercise in a drought stricken area, 400km away, I braced myself for a night of long work, as smoke bellowed from the Nakumatt Supermarket building in the city centre. This is a typical day for the Kenya Red Cross driver.The driver’s day begins when he wipes sleep off his face and ends when he parks the vehicle, then takes a nap, regardless of the place and time.

Other than driving the vehicle, the driver is a multi-tasked employee. He off ers First Aid services to a victim during an emergency, disseminates Red Cross principles and activities to the public whenever it is required. .

Spinning Wheels of Humanity

Providing psychosocial support.


I was in Mathare slums with a group of Disaster Risk Reduction team carrying out fi re safety activities. We

received shocking news from our Disaster Risk Reduction Offi cer Mike Aiyabei, said he had been informed by a volunteer from the Nairobi Kenya Red Cross Branch that there was fi re at Nakumatt Downtown, a supermarket in the city centre. We arrived at the scene of the fi re at about 3pm. There was chaos all over as the supermarket was consumed by fl ames with the public watched in disbelief. Controlling the crowd was stressful as everybody wanted to move as

close as possible and see for themselves. We were prepared psychologically to handle the job a head. This would involve rummaging through the rubbles in search of bodies. I camped at the scene of the fi re for two days, consoling families that had lost their loved

Unsung Heroes/Heroines

- Brenda Alaka

Always a ‘Red Crosser’

In my career with Red Cross, many have asked me what I gain as a volunteer since Red Cross is a non-profi t making organisation.

My quick response is to refer them to the fundamental principles and especially voluntary service which states that the Red Cross is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain. Volunteering brings many opportunities. It broadens one’s experience and boosts his/her confi dence. It is an opportunity to learn vital life-saving skills and help others to do the same. It is also a chance to be part of a team that makes a diff erence in people’s lives. The simple thought of bringing a smile and hope to someone is motivating enough to keep the volunteers as ‘Red Crosses’ for life. Once a ‘Red Crosser,’ always a ‘Red Crosser.’ This is the quote by volunteers.

In my conversations with volunteers they have been clear on how they feel about being involved with the Red Cross. “The

ones as we waited for fi re to be put out completely. Unfortunately, this was not to be until the second day.

The Kenya Red Cross tracing team was on the ground. The situation was tense and the waiting was painful. The sight of relatives of the victims waiting was almost unbearable. As we started searching for bodies, observers could not believe that I was in the rescue team. Being a young lady, they kept asking how I can`t handle dead bodies, It was a hard task indeed. But with courage, strength and God’s help, I managed to handle the situation soberly.

My family was happy and proud of the role I played. They congratulated me and told me to continue with the spirit of serving our nation with love and humanity. As for what motivates me, I love being a fi rst responder, It just gives me satisfaction.

An oil tanker explosion in Sachang’wan area in Molo District, occurred on Saturday,

31st January 2009, along the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The tanker which was carrying over 30,000 liters of petrol exploded within an hour after hundreds of locals had gathered to siphon oil using various containers.

After receiving the news from motorbike riders from Molo who had rushed to the scene to collect fuel for their business, I proceed to the scene with a team of 17 volunteers and staff . On arrival, the tanker had already exploded. Within

a few minutes, using our two ambulances, we transported 68 seriously burnt victims to Molo District Hospital.

Good Samaritans assisted us in rescuing people and rushing them to various health centres. Later, additional help came from the military personnel who brought two ambulances and rescue personnel. Another ambulance came in from Molo District Hospital for support.

By 7.30pm, all survivors at the scene had been taken to the following hospitals: Molo District Hospital, Nakuru District Hospital and St Joseph Nursing Home in Molo. More volunteers and staff from Nakuru and Eldoret joined my team, bringing the number to 70.After counting the bodies which had been burnt beyond recognition, there were no body bags for packing the bodies. We waited for the bags for about 45 minutes, as they were brought from the KRC warehouses in Eldoret and Nairobi..

The Molo tragedy was followed by a week-long intervention in tracing and psychosocial services. During the burial of 89 victims, we were overwhelmed with the number of causalities who needed First Aid, psychosocial support and tracing services.

In my career, I have helped rescue people during the Nairobi US Embassy bomblast in 1998, Kyanguli fi re tragedy, Marsabit air crush in 2006 and collapse of a wall in Nairobi’s Mukuru kwa Reuben and the post election violence in 2007/08. , What I saw at the scene of Molo oil tanker explosion was horrifying. This tragedy was like a dream. - Caleb Kilande

satisfaction of helping other people and making a positive contribution to their lives is a sense of personal achievement and motivation,” a volunteer once told me. “It is a chance to meet new people and make lasting friendships with people with a common goal”.

For other volunteers, the Red Cross gives them an opportunity to gain new skills and put existing ones to use. It is the courage and the passion that makes them heroes to rush and try to save lives. It’s just an inner drive that pushes me to be there and just take up the lead in any Red Cross . It’s also fun.- Hasina Nassir Ali

Amazed, how a lady can manage

Like a Dream, the deadly oil tanker


Unsung Heroes/Heroines News Brief

Fire Destroys HousesAt least two families were rendered homeless after a fi re gutted down two residential houses at Kusumek village near Litein town, Bureti District. Nobody was injured during the morning inferno that destroyed the entire property of the families.

The cause of the fi re was not immediately established, but was suspected to have been an arson attack. Kenya Red Cross Bureti Branch volunteers responded to the fi re incident and assisted the villagers in putting out the fi re. Another fi re incident occurred outside the Africa Inland Church in Litein on 6th January 2009, burning down two semi-permanent residential houses and two pre-school classrooms resulting in huge losses.- Paul Towett, Branch Coordinator, Bureti

Cholera Cases

At least 505 cases of cholera were reported in Busia District Hospital in March 2009. Kenya Red Cross

deployed volunteers trained in Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST), cholera and diarrhoea prevention and control to carry out campaigns in Butula Division and other areas. Nyanza Province has experienced three episodes of Cholera disease since December 2007. The fi rst index case was reported from Mfangano Island, Suba District on 2nd December 2007 at Mbita District hospital. More cases have been reported from 10 districts in the region, among them Kisumu East and West, Nyando, Rachuonyo, Homa Bay, Migori, Suba Rongo and Isiolo.

Kenya Red Cross mobilised staff and volunteers to provide humanitarian response including public health/advocacy interventions, clinical/case management, water and sanitation and food hygiene and safety to vulnerable and at risk persons in Nyanza Province. By the end of March 2009, Nyanza Provincial records indicate over 300 cases of cholera with six deaths reported during the fi rst outbreak; 708 cases with 42 deaths during the second outbreak; and 562 cases with 17 deaths during the third outbreak. Some cholera cases have been reported in Kipsing Location of Oldonyiro Division in Isiolo District. At least 39 patients have been treated and three deaths reported in cholera-related cases.

Teaming Up for a Cause

It has always been good to let others know what is

happening in places out of their reach. This has been my job since I joined the Kenya Red Cross fi ve years ago. The best time in the Society is when you are given a chance to help the needy and a chance to work with the best team.

What I do for my daily bread more than meets the eye. Being the person behind the camera, I always fi nd myself covering some horrible disasters, both man-made and natural. At times my innermost feelings compel me to put the camera aside and attend to the victims. During disasters I am always among the fi rst people to arrive at a scene. The response to disasters allows us to learn as well as put into practice our First Aid skills while helping others.

After every response, I sit in my offi ce to review the footage captured. This enables me to appreciate my good work and areas that require improvement. It becomes vital during the next operation, especially after discussing the footage during briefi ng sessions where participants undergo counseling as a way of managing trauma.

The best part of my work is bringing images from the scene before the eyes of my colleagues and members of the public.

When I covered the post election violence from 1st January 2008, I never knew that the footage would draw much attention in Kenya and the outside world. The images we presented to the media helped tell the magnitude of the violence. Indeed, many lives were saved as agencies moved in to off er humanitarian assistance.

I am happy to be part of a team recognised world over for ‘alleviating human suff ering’.

- Jacob Murimi

Kenya Red Cross handled at least 2,836 tracing cases by the end of 2008. Some 799 unaccompanied minors were registered and 622 reunited with their families. KRC also attended to 25 vulnerable persons, out of which 16 were reunited.

The Society had received 2,061 tracing requests, out of which 1,721 were closed. The Society worked with a number of organisations including ICRC (supported training volunteers in aspects of registration, identifi cation, tracing and reunifi cation), the Children’s Department of the Ministry of Home Aff airs (placed unaccompanied minors in Children’s Homes and vetted the families as they came forward), Save the Children and UNICEF (provided training to staff and volunteers in child protection), Independent Medical Legal Unit (IMLU), and the Social Services Department to provide

counselling and psychosocial support to the children.- Nicholas Makutsa, Tracing Unit

Tito Okello (center), a victim of the post election violence, is reunited to his family in Siaya.

Tracing of Missing Persons


By NELLY MULUKA

Mt Elgon District witnessed one of the worst ethnic confl ict in Kenya from late 2006. After three

years of blood-letting and displacement of people, a Peace Run was organised by the Kenya Red Cross and held at Kapsokwony town on 17th January 2009.

The aim of the Peace Run was to bring peace among communities through sports. The Chief-guest during the Peace Run was the Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Youth Aff airs and Sports Hon Kabando Wa Kabando.Also present were the Mt Elgon MP, Hon Fred Kapondi, Sports Secretary, Prof Wilson Langat, Commissioner of Sports in Kenya, Gordon Oluoch, Ben Njoga, Senior

Assistant Commissioner of Prisons and Executive Members, Athletics Kenya and Kenya Red Cross Governor, Paul Birech.

Elgon Peace Run Hon Kabando hailed KRC for the relief support and peace initiatives in the district. He also praised the residents for accepting to embrace peace. “The owners and winners of the peace race are you the people of Mt Elgon,’ said Hon Kabando.

The Mt Elgon MP, Hon Kapondi also thanked the Kenya Red Cross for organising the event, terming the day “memorable”

adding that it was a day of re-uniting residents of Mt. Elgon.

The MP promised that there would be peace and clashes would never happen. Hon Kapondi also called upon elders, councilors, youth and residents to work together.He said Mt Elgon region was the basket that fed Western Kenya and ought to be peaceful.

“We want to belong to the old days of peace and plentitude,” Hon Kapondi said.

He pledged his support for the initiative to build a high altitude sports centre.Birech said he was happy to return to Mt Elgon to continue with the Kenya Red Cross relief aid through the Peace Run.

“We at the Kenya Red Cross are proud to be associated with all communities in the region. We pledge our support in restoring normalcy and forging ahead in reconstruction programmes,” said Birech.

Kenya Red Cross plans to use the funds raised through sponsorship of the run to build a high altitude centreto be used by the area youth to embrace peace through sports.

On your marks: Hon Kabando (right) leads his team during a tug-of-war

Marathon winner receives a heifer

KRC Governor, Paul Birech (left) during a tug-of-war

A lady races to the fi nish line

Home stretch: Athletes race to the fi nish line. Photos/Alex Njoroge


Volunteering for a PurposeBy ANGELA MURUGI

Being a Red Cross volunteer has been one of the most satisfying and fruitful experience in my life.

I have participated in numerous youth activities like community work (visiting children’s homes and clean-up activities), attended training sessions, camps and picnics. It is amazing to have been in touch with the community for the last four years, thanks to the Red Cross.

As a volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross, I got a chance to visit the American Red Cross and participated in the Chapman Holcombe International Intern Programme in San Francisco, California in July 2007. We participated in training programmes like First Aid training, leadership development camp, held intensive meetings with the Secretary General of the Bay area Chapter and other American Red Cross Staff .

This was an eye-opener as I got a feel of how other Red Cross societies run their activities and the diff erent challenges they face in their environments.

Peer education in HIV/AIDS is a programme I have been actively involved in. Through training in and out of school, I gained experience in training young people on HIV/AIDS. In 2008 July-August 2008, I attended the International AIDS Conference 2008 held in Mexico City, Mexico. The conference included a youth conference and main conference for all participants.

The organisers of the youth conference focused on rights, respect, responsibility and resource. In the main conference, I attended sessions on youth peer education programmes which highlighted the need for advocacy campaigns by youth as role models and use of interactive modes of teaching like role plays and movies.

During the post election violence, I was a volunteer in the Tracing Unit where we helped displaced families to reunite with their members. This experience enabled me to attend the International Students Festival in Trondheim (ISFiT) in, Norway, from 20th February and 1st March 2009. The main theme of the festival was ‘Peace Building’. The South African Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Desmond Tutu, offi ciated the opening on the festival in Trondheim.

Following my experience during the post election violence in Kenya, I contributed to ways of dealing with violence and the role of young people during violence. All volunteers of Kenya Red Cross should be encouraged to use their voluntary experience to build on their future and inspire others to keep up the good work in the community.

By FATUMA ALIHIV/AIDS is a health threat in Kenya’s prisons that aff ects both prison and non-prison populations. Kenya Red Cross is assisting to lessen the negative impact of the AIDS scourge through psychosocial support and dissemination of information to the inmates.

According to the Kenya Prisons Service, HIV prevalence among inmates is approximately 10% higher than the national average of 6.1%. A study carried out in 2004 found out that HIV/AIDS and TB were the leading causes of preventable deaths in Kenya’s prisons.

The situation is often exacerbated by high rates of other opportunistic diseases such as sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis and TB. The continued spread of HIV/AIDS and TB within prisons, which are attributed to overcrowding, lack of ventilation, rape, sex, battering and ‘prison marriages’. Others include unsafe injection among drug users, use of unsterile needles and other sharp objects for tattooing.

Women have less access to health care services in prisons than male inmates. Reproductive health care may be limited or unavailable and health-promotion materials, information and treatment (including for HIV and drug dependence) are often limited in women prisons as compared to male prisons.

Typically, women in prison are young and many are mothers whose children either live in prison with them or are cared for by others outside. They may also be pregnant or become pregnant during their imprisonment, with some giving birth behind the bars. Often very limited reproductive and pre and post-natal care services are available for women in prisons. In addition, antiretroviral therapy is often not available to prisoners and as a consequence neither to HIV positive pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission. Children born in prisons, especially to HIV positive mothers, require special care and attention.

Kenya Red Cross disseminates HIV/AIDS information through traditional dances, choir, acrobatic shows, poems and fashion shows and training on prevention, safe sex, re-infection, healthy living and adherence to ARV (antiretroviral) drugs.

The organisation also provides access to essential prevention commodities such as male and female condoms, confi dential voluntary counseling, testing and referral services, appropriate diet and nutritional supplements for HIV positive prisoners, information on ARVs, prevention of mother-to-child transmission and home-based care services for HIV positive prisoners while in and out of prison. KRC donates items such as mattresses, buckets, basins, washing powder, JIK detergent and First Aid kits to promote cleanliness and reduce any risk of infection.- The writer is the Programme Assistant, KRC Health & Social Services Department.

HIV/AIDS: Rising to the Challenge

KRC volunteers, Angela and Roy, during a training in US

KRC staff distribute blankets to inmates in Nairobi.


Dr Kisia informed the delegation the importance of ensuring fi nancial sustainability of the Red Cross movement in view of the recent economic challenges. “Partners and donors from the North are clearly saying they would not give enough fund in future,” he said.

Uganda Red Cross Secretary General, Michael Nataka, said his delegation was pleased to learn from Kenya Red Cross as part of peer exchange.

During a meeting with the KRC Secretary General, Abbas Gullet, on 24th March 2009, the Chairman of the Board Uganda Red Cross, Tom Buruku noted that invaluable lessons they had gained during their tour of Kenya.

The SG informed the delegation of the eff orts made to revamp the Kenya Red Cross from its lowest ebb early in 2000 to what it is today. “Kenya Red Cross is highly respected organization, preferred choice of many people, no longer in fi nancial defi cit and is present across country,” said Gullet.

Uganda Red Cross Society Board and staff members toured various activities of the Kenya Red Cross from 20-24

March 2009, in a retreat cum learning experience programme.

The team fi rst toured parts of North Rift Region, where they were welcomed by the Kenya Red Cross Governor, Mr Paul Birech. Among the areas visited were the Society’s income generating projects, transit camps for internally displaced persons (IDP) and house reconstruction project for the victims of the election violence.

On 23rd March 2009, the Uganda Red Cross members were welcomed at the KRC Headquarters by the Deputy Secretary General, Dr James Kisia, during a full day familiarization tour of departmental activities and income generating programmes.

Visit by Uganda RC Delegation

Uganda Red Cross delegation in KRC boardroom. Photo/Jacob Murimi Tom Buruku, Chairman, Uganda RC

It had been planned for many months ago. Finally, in March 2009, a team of

Board members and Senior Management of Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) traveled to Nairobi for an exchange visit with the Kenya Red Cross Society.

It was such a successful trip because the Ugandan team learnt a lot from their Kenyan counterparts. Through exchange visits and continuous dialogue, the two National Societies will be learning a lot from each other.Some years back, Kenya Red Cross Society was a ‘leaking bucket’ that Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) was then

ahead of their counterparts. However since the recruitment of Mr Abbas Gullet, KRCS has been turned around.

The theme for the visit was, “Stretching to the next level.”

Uganda Red Cross team visited a number of projects implemented by KRC at the North Rift Region and the Headquarters, conducted one-one session for in-depth analysis of each other’s operations.

A number of lessons were learnt. KRC spends less time on Board meetings, which URCS should emulate. Regionalisation in URCS is diff erent from that of KRCS. In Uganda there are no Government administrative structures at regional level to support the kind of regionalisation in Kenya. URCS learnt that its branches need to be strengthened for activity implementation.

URCS learnt that it is important to put in place appropriate infrastructure for eff ective response with protocols and guidelines. URCS should learn to turn problems into opportunities and use that as chance to mobilize resources. This is a lesson learnt from KRC experience during the post election violence.

URCS will learn from the way Kenya Red Cross approaches and packages the First Aid training and services to generate enough funds to sustain the program. KRC has benefi ted from special projects targeting specifi c communities. Further, the ambulance system operates on the early warning system of the SMS, but fi rst minutes deployment within the Nairobi area is a motorcycle volunteer (First Aider) who conducts a initial assessment against which the deployment of ambulances will be made (it is based on the need to manage mileage and eff ective deployment of an ambulance). Uganda Red Cross DM will desire and adapt this approach within the response protocol guidelines and eff ect them as part of the early warning and response mechanisms.

URCS aims to strengthen the National Society volunteer structure along the Red Cross Action Teams.Also will have to embark on income generating activities for the sustainability. The planned construction of the Red Cross Plaza (Headquarters) will be a source of income. This was driven by the many IGAs implemented by Kenya Red Cross.- Ntabadde is the Senior Public Relations Offi cer, Uganda Red Cross Society

Catherine Ntabadde

Lessons from Kenya


Media in Drought Areas Public Relations

Kenya Red Cross had a total of 575 media hits during the month of February, Print Media published 183 articles on KRC, Television and Radio aired 170 and 222 stories respectively during the same month.

38%

32%

30%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Radio

Print

Television

Media Type

Television

Print

Radio

Media Breakdown.

121Television

463TOTAL

251Radio

91Print

No. of KRCS mentions /Media

hits

Media Type

Media Visibility

Kenya Red Cross enjoyed extensive media coverage during the fi rst quarter of 2009, that mainly during the drought and fi re tragedies response. Below is a summary of media hits as summarised by the Strategic Public Relations Ltd.

By NELLY MULUKAKenya Red Cross Public Relations Offi ce organised a media fi eld trip to Turkana District, from 12-14 March 2009. The media team was in the district to report the impact of drought and to assess the Society’s activities. The Communications Offi cer, Nelly Muluka, led journalists from KTN, KBC, NTV, Citizen, K24 and Nairobi Star, together with KRC Lodwar Branch Coordinator, Mr Edward Ethuro, and volunteers, during the two days fi eld trip.

Areas covered by the media were Kalemungorok IDPs Camp in Katilu Division, South Turkana. In South Turkana, they covered Sexual Reproductive Health activities and interventions by the Society in IDP camps. The projects include safe motherhood, family planning, HIV and Aids issues and ante-natal among others. The team also toured an IDP camp in Lokichar to view the plight of people displaced by the post election violence and clan confl icts.

Late January 2009, Kenya Red Cross organized media fi eld visits to drought aff ected areas in Lower Eastern Region and North Eastern regions. The media covered a corporate organisations tour of the drought aff ected areas in Eastern Region during February 2009.

Kenya Red Cross also organised a corporate and media fi eld tour of drought aff ected areas in Machakos District. A team of international journalists guided by the International Federation of Red Cross/Crescent toured North Eastern Province in February 2009 to cover the drought situation. The Society’s Mombasa Branch featured on NTV in an interview on the drought situation and the Joint Okoa Maisha Initiative.

Kenya Red Cross Deputy Secretary General Dr. James Kisia, featured in KBC and Mbaitu FM radio talk shows where he discussed the drought situation in Lower Eastern Region.

The Society has been updating the media on the drought situation in the country.

Courtesy /Daily Metro


Profi le Service to Humanity

EDITOR: When did you join Kenya Cross Red Cross?MAURICE: I fi rst joined Red Cross when I was in high school after a dissemination session held in our school. I collaborated with other youth in the school in forming a First Aid club. The core values of Red Cross and its fundamental principles made me desire to associate with the organisation. The primarily goal of rendering my services to the needy also motivated me.

EDITOR: Your career with Kenya Red Cross?MAURICE: I was fi rst elected as a youth offi cer of Kenya Red Cross Kisumu Branch in 1989. I was then faced with the challenge of activating the youth department which was dormant. Within my fi rst year of serving the Kenya Red Cross, membership of the Branch youth shot up by over 200%. In the same year, Kisumu Branch scooped the fi rst position in National First Aid competitions Junior, Senior and RCAT categories.

The 1998 fl oods in Kisumu’s Kano plains and Budalang’ in Busia, the Kenya Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross/Crescent Societies nominated me to monitor the food distribution where thousands of people were served for six months.

That was the beginning of my involvement in relief operations. In 2001/2002, I was attached to the Nyanza Regional Blood Transfusion Center as a Blood Donor Counsellor. During my tenure, the Center had many non-enumerated donors. In 2003, I was nominated the Acting Branch Coordinator. Several interventions including fl oods operations in Nyanza (Nyando, Kisumu, Migori, Rachuonyo and Siaya) and Western (Budalangi) were a success, with the operational hub in Kisumu Branch.

EDITOR: Apart from Nyanza, have you served in any other region?MAURICE: Yes. In 2006, I led a team to Moyale for a rapid assessment and coordinated the Kenya Red Cross relief interventions in the district. By Kenya Red Cross did not have a branch in the district. I was the focal person on the ground and carried the society high. Ten months down the line, I

had registered 74 life members and put in place an interim team. Although I moved to another branch, I am proud to be associated with the Moyale Branch, which is currently ranked among the well-functioning branches in volunteership.

In 2007, I was the focal person during the Mt Elgon integrated relief operations. In the same year, when a mudslide occurred in Kuvasali in Kakamega, I was the overall incident commander for the rescue operations, leading various agencies and a team of 80 volunteers. In 2008, I was appointed the Relief Offi cer in Nyanza to coordinate relief interventions in the region. I also worked in Mt Elgon during the relief operations after three years of land clashes that displaced thousands of people.

EDITOR: What Position are you serving at KRCS?MAURICE: In my current position at the Kenya Red Cross Drought Relief Coordinator in Lower Eastern Region. I have been coordinating relief aid to families aff ected by drought. In March this year, I was honoured to be nominated as Kenya’s heroes in the humanitarian fi eld. I was featured on Nation TV a programme ’Unsung Heroes.’

EDITOR: Your greatest challenge?MAURICE: When those you are assisting believe in you and see you as their only hope, you really empathise with them. Furthermore, leading a team in a ‘foreign’ community and within cultural diversities is a big challenge.

EDITOR: What are your memorable moments?MAURICE: Despite my limited training in mudslides, through courage, consultations and appreciation of eff orts of rescue team members I coordinated a seven-day operation, while the national and international press kept focus on me for daily updates. Among 62 branches of the Kenya Red Cross, I am proud to have laid the foundation for the Moyale Branch.

EDITOR: How do you balance between your busy schedule and family life?MAURICE: It is not very easy. I am married and blessed with three children. In my 15 years service with the the Red Cross Movement, I have endeavour to make my family understand my assignments under the humanitarian arena. I always count on their support as They are the engine of my success.

MAURICE ONYANGO has steered his career through volunteership at the Kenya Red Cross, cutting a niche for himself in new fi elds and disasters. He speaks to the Reach Out EDITOR about his experience in the Movement.

Onyango (second left) during a past relief distribution.

Maurice Onyango


Reach Out Newsletter

Subscription and Advertisement CouponReach Out newsletter is a humanitarian publication with wide readership in the Eastern Africa region. Readers include members of the Red Cross Movement, Partner National Societies, envoys, Government ministries, institutions of learning, corporate organisations, donors, media and benefi ciaries within and outside the country. An online edition of the newsletter is posted on Kenya Red Cross website for wider readership.

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Payments for advertisements is through a Banker’s Cheque in favour of Kenya Red Cross Society. For more details please call the Public Relations Offi ce: Tel (+254 20) 603593,602465, 3950000. Mobile: 0722 206958, 0733333040. Fax: 603589. Email: [email protected]. www.kenyaredcross.org

Media SeminarKenya Red Cross Public Relations unit organised a media seminar for the Society’s managers from the Headquarters and Regions.

Key resource persons during the two-day seminar were from the Public Relations Society of Kenya PRSK, Peter Mutie (Chairman, who is also the Head of Communication National Aids Control Council), Stephen Wangaji (Vice Chairman, who also the Head of Communication National Hospital Insurance Fund).The seminar was offi cially opened by KRCS Head of Department, Disaster Management, Mohamed Abdinoor. - Cynthia Cheruto

Martin Luther King Jr (right), KRC Secretary General, Abbas Gullet, renowned lawyer, Dr. P.L.O. Lumumba, during an event to discuss the ‘Role of youth in peace building and

reconsciliation’, in Nairobi.

NOTICE BOARD KRC Senior Management Staff Abbas Gullet, Secretary GeneralDr James Kisia, Deputy Secretary GeneralAisha Omar Maulana, HOD, Health & Social ServicesAnnette R. Msabeni Ngoye, HOD WatSanChristine Ngele Mwaka, HOD, Finance & AdministrationIdris Ahmed, Ag. HOD Regional Capacity Development Mohamed Abdinoor Dahir, HOD, Disaster Management Susan D. Achieng Ng’ong’a, HOD, Supply Chain

KRC Management Staff Abdille Othowai Abdishakur, Special Projects ManagerAgnes E. Kinanu Koome, Training ManagerArthur Omollo Okonji, Emergency Accounts ManagerAyaz A. Mohamed Manji, WatSan Facilities ManagerBenjamin Kioko Kiilu, WatSan Capacity Building ManagerBernard Cheruiyot Langat, Financial Plan & Budgeting ManagerDavis Aura Okoko, Disaster Preparedness ManagerDorothy M. Anjuri Muriithi, HIV/AIDS ManagerJackson Kariuki Githiaka, Internal Audit ManagerJames Mwangi, Emergency Health ManagerMargaret Wambui Mungai, Public Health ManagerRosemary Wanjiru Mutunkei, Business Development ManagerSylvia Khamati Anekha, First Aid ManagerTitus Mung’ou, PR & Comm. ManagerWangeci Mwieria Mathenge, Youth Dev. Manager

KRC Regional ManagersDorcas E. Wanjiru Ngure, CentralGerald Bombe, North Eastern Ibrahim Hussein Mohammed, South RiftMahdi Mohamed, CoastPamella M’mboga Indiaka, West KenyaPatrick Nyongesa, North RiftLiban A. Mohamed, Upper Eastern

Communication ForumKenya Red Cross will host the Global

Communication Forum in Nairobi, from 15-17

October 2009. This will be the fi rst time the

conference of this magnitude is held in Afi ca.Angel Hadassah

Faith Githigia of Disaster Management Department was blessed with a baby girl, Hadassah Njeri.

KRC Annual General Meeting, 29th May 2009

Our world is in a mess.It’s time to make your move.

ourworld-yourmove.org

Embers of Fire Emblem of Hope - ReliefWeb

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