The Forum for the Restoration of Democracy-Kenya (FORD-K) was founded in October 1992 after the division of FORD into two Factions: FORD-K and FORD-Asile (Political Parties of Africa and Middle East 1993 1993, 144; Political Handbook of the World: 1994-1995, 464). Jamogigi Oginga Odinga was the first chairman of FORD-K (ibid)

Competing with seven other political parties in simultaneous presidential and legislative election, Odinga placed fourth with 17.48 per cent support in the presidential election and second with 31 seats in the legislative election on 29 December 1992 (Political Handbook of the World 1995, 464). The elections were characterised by independant observers as fraudulent (ibid.). Following Odinga's death on 20 January 1994, Michael Wamalwa Kijana became, the FORD-K chairmen (ibid.). Currently, he acts as the official leader of the opposition in Kenyan parliament (KTN TV 19 Oct. 1996, 4).

In January 1996, the FORD-K joined the FORD-Asile, the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) and the unregistred Safina Party to form a new political organization, the National Alliance (Muungano wa Ukombozi) (AFP 29 Jan. 1996, 56; Inter Press service 2 Feb. 1996, 60-61). The main goal of the new organization is to defeat the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party in the upcoming 1997 (ibid.).

In April 1995, five opposition FORD-K members Paul Muite, Kiraitu Murungi and three associates were arrested by police and driven away to an unknown destination (AFP 4 Apr. 1995). On 15 February 1995, the police searched the home of opposition legislator Professor Peter Anyang Nyogo and Linus Polo, both of FORD-K, was detained for four hours (ibid.).

According Amnesty International, seven members of opposition parties, among them two of FORD-K, were arrested on 15 January 1995. They were detained and released on police bond on 19 January (20 Jan. 1995).

Accordind the Country Reports 1996, the authorities arrested and charged nine opposition MPs with sedition in 1995, without specifying there were any FORD-K MPs among those arrested.The Mps charged were awaiting trial at the end of 1995 (ibid.).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Agence France Press (AFP) [Paris]. 29 January 1996. "Kenyan Opposition Alliance Officially Formed."

_____. 4 April 1995. "Five Kenyan Opposition Activists Arrested." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 20 January 1995. Kenya: Prisoners of Conscience (AI Index: AFR 32/01/95). London: Amnesty International

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (Electronic version received from Resource Information Centre, US Immigration and Naturalisation Service)

Inter Press Service. 2 February 1996. L. Muthoni Wanyeki. "Kenya-Politics: Safina Shakes Up Opposition Alliance." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 February 1995. Charles Wachira. "Kenya-Politics: Ban On Insulting President Rocks Opposition." (NEXIS)

KNT TV [Nairobi, in English]. 17 October 1995. "Kenya; Minister Admits that 819 Inmates Have Died in Prison since the Begining of 1995." (BBC Summary 19 Oct. 1995/NEXIS)

Political HandBook of the World 1994-1995. 1995. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications.

Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East. 1993. Edited by Roger East and Tanya Joseph. The High, Harlow, Essex: Longman group.

Attachments

Agence France Press (AFP) [Paris]. 29 January 1996. "Kenyan Opposition Alliance Officially Formed" p. 56.

_____. 4 April 1995. "Five Kenyan Opposition Activists Arrested." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. 20 January 1995. Prisoners of Conscience (AI Index: AFR 32/01/95). London: Amnesty International

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. (Electronic version received from Resource Information Centre, US Immigration and Naturalisation Service)

Inter Press Service. 2 February 1996. L. Muthoni Wanyeki. "Kenya-Politics: Safina Shakes Up Opposition Alliance." (NEXIS)

_____. 17 February 1995. Charles Wachira. "Kenya-Politics: Ban On Insulting President Rocks Opposition." (NEXIS)

KNT TV [Nairobi, in English]. 17 October 1995. "Kenya; Minister Admits that 819 Inmates Have Died in Prison Since the Begining of 1995." (BBC Summary 19 Oct. 1995/NEXIS)

Political HandBook of the World 1994-1995. 1995. Edited by Arthur S. Banks. Binghamton, NY: CSA Publications, 464.

Political Parties of Africa and the Middle East. 1993. Edited by Roger East and Tanya Joseph. The High, Harlow, Essex: Longman group UK, p.144.
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