Yesterday's march on parliament, aimed at resisting the theft of public resources by members of the legislature came to a crushing end, as the authorities over-reacted to what was a simple exercise in democratic protest.

The crusaders had instead been thrown into police cars and driven off at high speed towards an unknown destination. The reckless manner of the driving, breaking traffic rules and even driving on the wrong side of the road, caused the police car carrying Mwalimu Mati, Ouma Odera and Okoiti Omtatah to crash head-on into an oncoming matatu, injuring the civil society leaders who had been caged in the back of the vehicle without safety belts.

We are informed that they have suffered serious injuries especially on their heads. It is now clear that the excessive force had nothing to do with the protest march on Parliament but was in fact aimed at ceasing the exposition of grand corruption and especially the recent exposure by Mars Group Kenya and the other CSOs of the helicopters overhaul deal and more specifically the new Ken Ren fertilizer deal which is provided for in the current budget. The provision is for a fertilizer factory (KenRen) that was never built.

The massive 4.4 billion shilling fertilizer deal was entered into in the 1970's when President Mwai Kibaki was the Minister of Finance. 30 years later, Kenyans have been committed to pay the 4.4 billion shilling bill for a factory that was never built. Part of that sum is catered for in a 265 million shillings first installment that has been placed in the current budget. The factory, we reiterate has never been built. Does this sound like an Anglo Leasing type Deal?

The war against corruption is not an individual fight, it is the fight of all Kenyans of integrity who say that it is now time for Kenyans to change the way they are governed. The call "No to Grand Corruption" must always be answered with a firm "No! No! No! No!".

Kenyans are ready to continue demonstrating against blatant theft of their very hard earned money. We stand in solidarity with Mwalimu Mati, Ouma Odera, Okoiti Omtatah, Ann Njogu and Cyprian Nyamwamu and wish them a quick recovery. The leaders are admitted at the Aga Khan Hospital, which is now under siege by the police. There are no indications whatsoever on whether or not there will be charges tomorrow and Kenyans are asked to observe whether or not this blatant abuse of power will continue by denying them their rights. We must be weary of this rapid return to the dark days of the KANU - Moi dictatorship. The responsibility for any further violence against Mwalimu Mati, Ouma Odera, Okoiti Omtatah, Ann Njogu and Cyprian Nyamwamu lies squarely in the hands of President Kibaki's Administration.

We are further concerned that even lawyers defending the leaders have come under police attack, this in abuse of constitutional guarantees protecting counsel from police harassment. Leonard Njogu, one of the lawyers representing the leaders was arrested and is still in police custody for undefined reasons.

As for the fifth arrested protester Cyprian Nyamwamu, all we know is that he was taken to Muthangari Police Station and at this time pray for his safety.

Further Details on the Anglo Leasing type Ken Ren Deal which has come back to haunt us 30 years later can be read at Mars Group Kenya.