Kenyan STOP EPA protesters violently disbanded

Hundreds of people gathered at the KENCOM bus station on Friday 26 September, 2008 were forcibly prevented by police from protesting against the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations. Despite the presentation of valid notification document, as well as a display of the city council permits, the Kenyan police proceeded to disperse the protesters. Several of the police violently ripped apart the protesters' STOP EPA posters and threatened to arrest them.

This is the second year in a row that the police have thwarted attempts by a coalition of civil society, students, women groups, farmers and workers from peacefully protesting against the EPAs.

'This is a conspiracy to allow the government of Kenya to secretly keep negotiating for trade agreements that shall negatively impact wananchi. For the second year running, the government has used (unnecessary) force on us even though we came in peace. The government has used its police to violently stop us..is it that they are scared of letting their citizens express their rights to fair and equitable trade and to fight poverty?' lamented Esther Bett, a farmer from the Rift Valley Province.

EPAs are free trade agreements being negotiated between theEuropean Union and groups of African, Carribbean and Pacific countries. Kenya is negotiating under the East African Community. Last year the EAC countries initialed an interim EPA, in effect a promise to consider signing the agreement.

The protesters had gathered to express their dismay at the potential free trade agreement that would allow Kenya and the region to be flooded with subsidized European products. The threat is especially grave for small scale farmers and Kenyan industries. The protesters bewail the wasted fees paid to the city council in order to get the necessary permits. They see it as a way the government is using its systems to keep the small scale producer's voice from being heard.

Ruthpearl Ng'ang'a (ACORD), one of the protest organisers confirms that 'whatever happens, we shall continue to loudly and legitimately tell the Kenyan people about the disaster about to hit them in the EPAs. We shall keep shouting about the problems in the EPAs until the government listens to its people'.

The protest is one of several national activities planned in various countries across sub saharan Africa to mark the global STOP EPA week. It comes just a week ahead of heated EPA discussions expected to take place at the Africa, Carribbean and Pacific Heads of State SUmmit in Accra from the 2nd of October, 2008.