Kenyans in the Bay Area helping out

January 9, 2008 Kenyans in the Bay Area launched the Kenya Relief Fund (KRF) to help in the relief effort to meet the needs of families devastated by the post election civil strife in this otherwise peaceful country of “Hakuna Matata” fame.

Recent estimates put the dead at 800 and the displaced at 500,000. The Red Cross reports that there is a great need for medical, food, and clothing supplies as well as shelter for thousands of people that have been forced out of their homes and or who have lost loved ones as a result of skirmishes and responses by local law enforcement.

The local Kenyan community in the Bay Area has opened an account at the California Bank and Trust, and would like to encourage those humanitarians that may or may not know the beautiful country and people of Kenya, to feel free to donate to the effort.

Funds raised would be donated to the Kenya Red Cross, one of the few organizations in the front lines providing on the ground assistance to individuals and families. The group is currently talking to the Palo Alto chapter of the American Red Cross to outline ways in which the two organizations could effectively collaborate to support the Kenyan relief effort.

For more information about the Kenya Relief Fund Please contact the following:

Mid-Peninsula: Meda O. Okelo @ medaokelo@sbcglobal.net or 650-714-3047

East Bay: Nduta Kimani @ mwkimani@berkeley.edu 510-334-5491

Stanford University Sangai Mohochi @ mohochi@Stanford.edu 650-799-1366

Sacramento and Central Valley: Peter Gathungu @ gathungupm@earthlink.net 916-564-9171

To donate to the effort please send contributions to:

The Kenya Relief Fund

c.o.California Bank and Trust

1735 East Bayshore Road,

East Palo Alto, California 94303

Account # 1890092591