WE ARE NOT ALONE.

Father Gabriel Dolan wrote to me in regards to the efforts that we are trying to advance here.  Fr. Dolan is a long time activist for peace, justice and fairness and most of you may know him from the days of Nyayo when he was imprisoned and tortured for speaking the truth to the powers on behalf of the voiceless. He recently authored a compelling piece on the the Saturday Nation, "What Kenya Needs is a Movement, Not New Elections."

Dear Wahome,

 

Greetings from Mombasa and sorry for delay in responding to your very wise comments and additions to my column of Saturday last. I have been both challenged and encouraged by the many responses. It clearly struck a chord with many Kenyans including the Diaspora. I am aware of many voices trying to put this movement together and I am hopeful.

 

I accept that your reservations are genuine concerns and I will include them in the follow up article on April 5th. I believe however that if the poor even give 20shs per month they will feel connected and participating, and will demand accountabiliy. Remember if 5 million gave 20shs per month that is a staggering 100 million. The Diaspora have a key role and I accept that. They should not just be a branch to the movement but perhaps have their own movement that will mobilise and conscienise abroad, something more than KCA.

 

I will keep in touch, but thanks again for your concern and wise advice and good luck with your foundation,

 

God Bless,

 

Gabriel (Dolan)

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Father Dolan's human rights activism in Kenya goes back almost a decade. He locked horns with the powers that be during Moi's time because of his penchant for speaking out. For instance, when an ally of the present agriculture minister Kipruto Kirwa was killed, Father Dolan expressed his candid opinion that Mr Bett had been assassinated. The police issued a warrant for his arrest.

He has won

various awards, including the Kaiser Award from the Law Society of Kenya. Some time back he put together a document on land rights that you can access by clicking here.

Even though he was a thorn in the flesh of the ancien regime, NARC quickly found out that Father Dolan would hold their feet to their fire too. The following is a letter which was published in the Daily Nation on the 29th of February 2004 http://demokrasia-kenya.blogspot.com