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UPDATE FROM KENYA -- WHWF Education Center never in danger HISTORIC POWER-SHARING DEAL STRUCK UNITY GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED AFTER RENEWED RIOTING An historic power-sharing agreement, mediated by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, was signed on February 29, 2008 by Kenya President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, putting an end to the violence that engulfed the nation since the disputed December 27, 2007 election. The agreement establishes the post of Prime Minister, which Odinga will hold, and two deputy prime minister positions, which will be held by a member from Kibaki's party and one from Odinga's. Cabinet positions will be divided equally between the two parties, and, once these positions are established by law, the legislature will begin a review of the country's 45-year-old Constitution and determine what revisions are necessary in light of the agreement. The disputed election spurred sectarian violence that forced over 300,000 people from their homes and resulted in at least 1,000 deaths, exploding after charges of vote rigging. Attacks on members of the Kikuyu tribe, to which President Kibaki belongs, resulted in retaliatory attacks against his opponent’s Luo tribe. WHWF President Stefanie Powers assures worried supporters that the WHWF Education Center was not in danger at any time, though the violence did create many last-minute booking cancellations. Writing from Kenya, Ms. Powers stated: “All is calm at the Education Center and in the Laikipia district where we are located. There were never any of the problems that existed in the western provinces. We will receive groups at the center after the Easter school break, as we do normally.” Rioting erupted in some Kenyan communities the week of April 7 protesting the government’s delay in appointing the agreed-upon unity cabinet, demonstrating to both parties involved in the power struggle not only how fragile the state of the nation, but also the need to take swift action to seat the new government and get to work. President Kibaki announced April 13 the new ministers and Assistant ministers of the new government, 94 in all, making the unity government the largest in Kenya’s short history. Though disappointed it had not received as many powerful posts as it wanted, Odinga’s opposition party decided that, with all the hunger, unrest and uncertainty in the nation, getting a government in place was more important than further haggling over appointments. Though there has been consistent international pressure to reach an agreement, opposition leaders point to the recent rioting as the major factor motivating Kibaki and Odinga to meet in secret for seven hours on April 12 to finalize the deal on cabinet postings. ________________________________________________________________________ WELCOME TO THE WHWF WEBSITE! Although William Holden's illustrious acting career spanned over 40 years, and included nearly 80 films plus a coveted Oscar for STALAG 17, the role in which he took the most pride was as a conservationist and co-founder of the Mount Kenya Game Ranch. His dedicated efforts to preserve the wildlife so precious to all of us soon expanded through the world, as he instilled in everyone he touched a reverence for nature's creatures. In his memory, the William Holden Wildlife Foundation was founded to carry on his important efforts and to meet the ever-increasing demand for alternatives to extinction. The foundation's education program currently serves over 10,000 students per year. Overhead expenses in the United States are underwritten through the generosity of a single donor, ensuring that virtually 100% of your tax-deductible donation goes directly to our work. We hope you will consider participating in our present and in our future.
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