Mid last month, a transformation success was all over the print media on Bagdad, staid militia group stemmed from the early 1990s events, operational in Kisumu and its environs. Coincidentally, during the same time I had been exploring the engagement and transformation process of the same group, which was because of government gazzetment of the illegal militia groups in Kenya. The final report will be out before the end of the month.
Conversely I need to put a few items in perspective. The true founders of Bagdad movement have passed on leaving behind only three from the sixteen. The ballpark age of the founders is above thirty-five. Initially, the Bagdad Boys movement was equivocal, a youth led and founded, justice-seeking and youth rights pursuing association. The group found its name from the Persian Gulf War, early August 1990 against Iraq. The group was founded on principles of unity against Moi’s dictatorial hardnosed, regime which had in the earlier months of the year, been accused of having hand in the murder of the then Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Ouko.
The group uncontained dynamics led to disintegration of the group in following years which saw the rise of smaller but more disastrous sub militia gangs with examples of Coptic, Kosovo Boys and recently Darfur Boys in 2007.
The recent article on print media has been miscued on the transformational process since it failed to recognize the vital fragmentation the original Bagdad has gone through in the approximately two decades. Little byline have likewise been given to institutions and personalities that started working for the transformation of the original Bagdad Boys like the NCCK, CJPC, DIAKONIA Sweeden, one time Nyanza Provincial Commissioner, amongst others. To get a copy of the final report on Bagdad Boys operations and current status, please get in touch.
Joseph Owuondo
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