KENYA: DJs go on hunger strike to protest living conditions of refugees and IDPs

Record ID: 340067

  • Title: KENYA: DJs go on hunger strike to protest living conditions of refugees and IDPs
  • Date: 23rd December 2008
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF DISPLACED PEOPLE BEING GIVEN MAIZE VARIOUS OF CAMP
  • Embargoed: 7th January 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: International Relations
  • Reuters ID: LVAJUM7880INN3H7M31OGO0RU53
  • Story Text: Presenters and DJs from community radio station, "Ghetto Radio" on hunger strike to protest state of refugees and internally displaced persons in Africa.
    Three Kenyan radio presenters are on a hunger strike and have also locked themselves in a glass house to show solidarity with displaced people and refugees in Africa.
    The presenters are from Nairobi's "Ghetto Radio", which was started last year under an initiative by Dutch radio presenters. It seeks to give listeners a broader view of life in various low-income areas around the world.
    The demonstration, which started on December 19, was the fifth in a series of similar annual events known as "Serious Requests". Radio presenters and Disc Jockeys (DJs) from various radio stations in the Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium and Kenya usually take part.
    "For us to actually lock ourselves up in a glass house at this particular season, I think it also shows how much Ghetto Radio is committed to this cause, and also going without food, I mean six days compared to what refugees and IDPS go through is absolutely nothing right? So we are trying as much as we can to show them that we understand what you are going through," said Angela Wainana, a Ghetto Radio presenter.
    The presenters felt especially compelled to take part this time after post-election violence rocked Kenya early this year. Over 1,000 people were killed and about 300,000 fled their homes.
    "I thought it was a very nice thing because it was for IDPS and refugees, and I was almost an IDP myself because I lived where the post-election violence was happening, so I thought it was good because some of my friends are IDPS themselves. So I came here to represent them and show solidarity because they need to be helped because they were really affected and I saw many people get affected. So I thought it was necessary," said Stanley Kibe, another Ghetto Radio presenter.
    The three participants are on a liquid-only diet and cannot leave their glass house until Wednesday (December 24). Scores of people have stopped to watch the unusual spectacle.
    "I see it as something really nice because it is a sacrifice and I think if more people were like this all these issues and problems would decrease," said Peter Mwangi, who lives in Nairobi.
    Kenya's economy has started to recover from the severe damage caused by the electoral turmoil, but experts say only measures to tackle the root causes of the bloodshed will deter a repeat.
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