East African Business Week (Kampala)
Gladys Kemunto
28 January 2008
Nairobi — Kenya's corporate firms are showing overwhelming compassion for victims of post-election violence that has rocked the country.
Over 30 international artists, joining the campaign, say they will perform at the annual edition of Kijani Music Festival in the capital, Nairobi and coastal city of Mombasa next month to support the same cause.
Over 250,000 people from various parts of the country, including Nairobi have been dislodged from their homes following clashes that have claimed close to 1,000 lives.
Mr. Michael Joseph, patron of the festival, said half of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Kenya Red Cross for support of displaced Kenyans affected by post-election violence.
Joseph, who is also the chief executive of Kenya's money-minting mobile phone service provider, Safaricom, said artistes had accepted to participate in the festival to show that it is not all doom and gloom.
"As we go back to normal business, and continue with cultural activities, it is also good to show that the rest of the country that it is not all doom and gloom," he said.
Kijani Trust director and chairman of CFC Life Assurance, Mr. Charles Njonjo, said: "We have a problem, and because of it, we are determined to do something about it. We will use the funds to support displaced Kenyans."
The latest food and security update released by the USAID last week in Nairobi said over 250,000 families have been displaced in the post election violence sparked off by disputed presidential results.
A total of Ksh6 million (US$ 85,715) was donated for the event, a half of it offered by Safaricom.
Both CFC Life Assurance and Stanbic Bank gave the balance. The Nairobi Hospital has also set aside another half for the event.
Kijani Music Festival, which brings together local and foreign musicians is an annual cultural event organised by Kijani Kenya Trust, a local non-profit charity organisation.
The Trust has raised a total of Ksh31.5 million ($450,000) for various causes since it was started in 2003.
In the previous years, the money was spent on supporting initiatives, such as HIV/AIDS campaigns, environmental conservation projects and musical education in Kenya .
Trust chairperson, Ms. Lis Wood, said the London Adventist Chorale and members of the Guildball Strings are among the international groups that have confirmed participation.
Local artistes expected to perform at the festival include local icon and Kora award winner Eric Wainaina and the Moipei quartet.
The first show is scheduled to open at the Nairobi Arboretum on 22 and 24 February.
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