Muungano wa Vijana; its activities, objectives, leaders, membership cards, geographic locations, date founded and whether members held a demonstration on 5 March 2002 [KEN41079.E]

Although no information on a 5 March 2000 demonstration involving members of the Muungano wa Vijana could be found, several references to an organization called Muungano wa Vijana Wazalendo (MVUWA), meaning Movement for the Progressive Youth of Kenya (The Nation 29 Aug. 2000), were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate (ibid. 25 Aug. 2000; ibid. 7 May 2000; ibid. 24 Apr. 2000; ibid. 27 Feb. 2000; ibid. 30 Jan. 2000; ibid. 28 Jan. 2000).

Reportedly founded in Nairobi on 29 January 2000, MWUVA is a youth movement "composed of university and polytechnic students, jua kali artisans, touts, hawkers and members of the Mungiki sect" that "espouses radical violence" to bring about a change in government (The Nation 27 Feb. 2000). One source claims that two of MWUVA's steering committee members are Hassan Omar, its chairman (ibid. 29 Aug. 2000; ibid. 28 Jan. 2000) who is also the leader of the Kenya National University Students Union (ibid. 30 Jan. 2000), and Ndura Waruingi, the national coordinator of the Mungiki sect (ibid.; ibid. 27 Feb. 2000). A 24 April 2000 article by The Nation alleges that the MWUVA and the Mungiki sect have strong links. Former President Daniel Arap Moi reportedly stated that the two groups were a threat to Kenya's security and that the government would not allow them to operate (7 May 2000). For details on the Mungiki (Munguki) sect, such as its organizational structure, head office location, leaders, position on forced circumcision and involvement in criminal activities, please consult KEN38335.E of 11 February 2002.

Another article by The Nation claims that the MWUVA also supports the Ufungamano initiative, a church-led coalition designed to pressure the Kenyan government for constitutional reform (28 Jan. 2000). For information on the Ufungamano initiative, its leaders, goals, location and activities; treatment of its members by the authorities; reports of the arrests of members and of members leaving the country to seek asylum, please consult KEN37837.E of 11 October 2001 and KEN37219.E of 10 July 2001.

A 27 February 2000 article by The Nation reported on a political rally in Thika organized by the MWUVA at which its "officials and politicians" were to address a "mammoth crowd" on issues such as the constitutional review process the Kenyan government is undertaking. The rally, which was held in Moi Gardens, ended when the crowd was "teargassed and clubbed" by a riot squad (The Nation 27 Feb. 2000).

Specific information on membership cards and additional information on the objectives of the MWUVA, as well as the geographic location of its membership, could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


The Nation [Nairobi]. 29 August 2000. "Kenya: Varsity Expulsions Annoy Youth Lobby." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 25 August 2000. "Kenya: Orengo Gets Rally Threats." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 7 May 2000. "Kenya: Moi: Ndicho's Threat Futile." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 24 April 2000. Ken Opala. "Kenya: The Shadowy World of Mungiki." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 27 February 2000. Oliver Musembi and Said Wabera. "Kenya: Scores Injured in Thika Youth Rally." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 30 January 2000. "Kenya: New Lobby Targets House Committee." (Africa News/NEXIS)

_____. 28 January 2000. "Kenya: MP: Go for People-Led Law Review." (Africa News/NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted


Africa Research Bulletin

IRB Databases

NEXIS

Unsuccessful attempts to contact The Youth Agenda.

Internet sites, including:

Africa Confidential

Africa Online

AllAfrica.com

Apologetics Index

BBC Africa

East African Standard

Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)

World News Connection (WNC)

Search engine:

Google