Friends of Dagoretti Children

FDC's End of Term Christmas Party and Radicalisation & Crime Reality Check

On Wednesday 16th December, FDC's and Karen Street Children Trust's students, parents, guardians and committee members all gathered together for our annual joint Christmas party and prize-giving. After the students had had a chance to eat, sing, speak and celebrate their achievements, it was the turn of the guest speakers - Kenyan radio presenters Rowbow and Kavu - who delivered a serious discussion on the dangers of radicalisation and living a life of crime. Their speech, which was given in Kiswahili, has been kindly translated by FDC's Peter Ndichu - and follows at the end of this post.

We would like to thank KPS for their kind donation of food items for the party and the Anon Trust for their financial support of this event which enabled FDC to give each student a Nakumatt voucher for Ksh 1,000. 

Gathered together for prize-giving and the speeches

A duet from FDC and KSCT

Paul Njogu speaks

Alfred Ndundiro speaks

'Mama Alfred' thanks the FDC committee

Josephine Wanja speaks

Solomon Murithi receives the Form 1 Academic Prize

Grace Waimatha receives the Form 2 Academic Prize

Francis Kioi receives Form 4 Academic Prize

Rosemary Ng'an'ga receives the Form 4 Academic Prize (with Francis)

David Mwangi receives the Chairman's Prize

Catherine stands proud of her students

Pop Gunson talks to and motivates the students

Benson from Mahali Pa Watoto School 

Caleb, our holiday tuition tutor, bids us farewell as he embarks on ventures new

Rowbow and Kavu’s speeches – interpreted here by FDC’s Peter Ndichu

“My name is Robert, AKA Rowbow. Most of you have heard me speak on the radio but today I  am happy to be here in person.  Apologies for getting here late, but we spent the morning at Kamiti prison talking to inmates - thus we had a long way to get here”.  This was followed by a series of jokes and a bit of comedy, which the students very much enjoyed. He then went straight into his topic of discussion.

“Who would wish to get rich and then die immediately?”(All said they wouldn’t want to). “I am aware that there are many radical groups that are trying to woo young people… mark my word young people, these groups are not interested in mature people as they very well know it would be next to impossible to convince any. They know how easily some young people are swayed in any direction by the mention of money. All these groups - Al Shabab,  Mungiki, Al Qaeda etc have one thing in common and that is DEATH.  They are established groups with rich leaders who are only interested in using recruits and then killing them.  Do you think training in the Kenya army is a joke?”  (All said they know it’s very tough). “Kenya army training is nothing compared to the groups’ training. The army trains and takes care of its trainees. These groups train mercilessly; they kill, injure, sexually assault and mishandle recruits. Thus very few, if any, get through the training. If they don`t like you they don’t send you back home. Rather, they kill you! If at the end one is lucky enough to complete the training, what mission will you be sent on? They will send you to kill not to protect. They only go out to kill and to steal. So these, my dear young people, are criminal groups that sell their tactics by promising lots of money - yet their only reward is death.  I am not even sure that they pay recruits. To me, this can only be referred to as modern day slavery. I really doubt that they pay. And in case they do, then the money would only mean anything if the recruits have graveyard banks.

Life is all about making the right decision. I grew up in a slum called Eastlands. As a matter of fact you can`t even compare Eastlands to Dagoretti. You people are in a far better environment. I grew up surrounded by neighbors who were involved in criminal activities but I chose not to join them. I knew who in our neighborhood possessed a gun, sold drugs etc. It was the order of the day. Many of my age mates died from the bullet. I will let my friend talk about this as he understands the topic better but I would urge you to never think about joining a criminal group. It never pays. You are all very lucky; you have people who are interested in your lives. Please make good use of the chances offered to you.

Being born poor doesn`t mean you will die poor.  Work hard and shape your future. With your sponsors help the sky is the limit. Today if you look at me, would you guess that I was once a very poor kid? (I wish I came dressed in my very expensive designer clothes and jewellery). I am where I am today l because I worked hard and was focused. Today I dine with many important people, they listen to me and I am respected by many. I work with many ambassadors. I travel a lot. I am driving a good car and I live in a fairly good area.”

Kavu then took over. He is a well known radio presenter who has become very famous. Our students were very excited to see him in person. He hosts a morning talk show at Ghetto radio which most young people listen to. He was very brief:

“I grew up in Manjengo, and we were very poor. I lost hope and was stupid enough to join criminal gangs. It started like a joke; I snatched handbags then went on to join a carjacking gang. Life as a criminal, wasn`t sweet at all. It was very stressful, and the money I got from it wasn’t helping. In fact, I drank most of it. I was a tormented soul, I saw my friends dying, I lost many. From a gang of over 20, only 3 are alive today. I was arrested and sentenced. It’s then that I decided to change. Robert played a big role in seeing me transformed.  It was a long and hectic journey that I would not wish my worst enemy to travel. I then realized I had a talent.  If only I tried to discover this talent early instead of taking shortcuts. I am now among some very successful journalists in this country. I enjoy radio show hosting and I am competing with the topmost radio presenters - Caroline Mutoko, Shaffie Weru and Maina Kageni. If I have managed to make it this far then all of you can make it too. I very much regret my life in crime, so that is why I talk to young people to let them know that crime is ugly and it torments ones soul. You are better being poor than a criminal. I am very lucky to be alive today and more so to have had people to hold my hand when I decided to leave my past life of crime.”