Author: Nick Thiongo & John Korir, Kenya Times
Date: January 23, 2007
Source: Kenya Times http://www.timesnews.co.ke/23jan07/nwsstory/news3.html

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The local organisers of the World Social Forum (WSF) yesterday distanced themselves from allegations that they were giving ODM-K luminaries political leverage over the Government.

Fielding questions from journalists, Africa Social Forum chairman Taoufik Ben-Abdallah said it was against the World Social Forum (WSF) charter of principles to allow any political party to use the forum as a platform to propagate political ideologies and gain undeserved mileage.

Speaking at the press conference convened at the Moi International Sports Centre, Taoufik explained that the WSF does not engage in affairs of any political party.

Tauofik was speaking in response to queries over the listing of Langata MP Raila Odinga and Kisumu Town MP Anyang’ Nyong’o as speakers in a WSF workshop dubbed ‘Memory of Struggles and Contemporary resistance.’

Shading light on the issue, Prof Edward Oyugi , a member of WSF organising committee, said the inclusion of the ODM-K presidential aspirant was due to his involvement in the clamour for social justice during former President Daniel arap Moi’s dictatorial regime.

“We have not allowed politicians to use the World Social Forum as a campaigning platform,” Prof Oyugi asserted.

He cited an incident during a WSF meeting in Porto Alegro in which a lobby group had taken advantage of the forum to demonstrate against the then ruling party which had exposed WSF to a great political risk.

Prof Oyugi, however, observed that Raila Odinga and Information assistant minister Koigi Wamwere, who was also listed as a guest speaker, failed to turn for the event.

The workshop had been organised to honour individuals who died in pursuit of social justice and highlight poorly documented struggles against colonialism, neo-liberalism and neo-colonialism.

At the same time doubts were raised on whether Kenyans would attend the forum owing to transport costs and a high registration fee.

Revealing that the World Social Council (WSC) had sunk an approximate of $5 million (Sh350 million) into hosting the global forum, Prof Oyugi explained that it was necessary to impose a registration fee to foot the bill.

“We were expecting private organisations and agencies to support us, but their support fell way short of our expenses. We still have pending bills,” Prof Oyugi disclosed.

The WSF, he said, had however provided alternatives by hosting other parallel events in Kibera, Korogocho and Jeevanjee Gardens that were open to all Kenyans.

The forum, organised to provide a global platform for voicing protests against neo-liberalism and social injustices, has so far recorded a registration of 46,000 delegates and counting.

Oduor Ongwen, also a member of the WSF organising committee frowned upon what he termed as “over militarisation of economic and social issues” at the press briefing.

He observed that the crisis in Somalia was a US war by proxy, adding that the super power had reneged on international human rights laws.