September 6, 2021
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The White Saviors
Chapter Four – Crimes In Kenya
Kenya was the jewel in the crown of the WE Organization's global empire. It's where they took celebrities and CEOs for life-changing "experiences" with needy children, followed by stays in their 5-star luxury beach resort. It's also where WE co-founder Marc Kielburger hired a private security firm staffed by an ex-Israeli military operative and a Sri Lankan fugitive to deal with Kenyan employees who he thought were robbing or blackmailing him. They in turn accused Marc of kidnapping them and financial misconduct. This is an explosive tale of death threats, bribery and corruption in a country where WE was supposed to be helping.
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher
Kevin Sexton
Producer

Music by Audio Network

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Official responses from The WE Organization:

Claims by Peter Ruhiu 

Peter Ruhiu has a history of making false statements. In fact, Mr. Ruhiu’s employment with Free The Children Kenya was terminated in 2018 after financial irregularities were discovered by the charity during a spot audit. WE dismissed Mr. Ruhiu, who made a full confession and returned the misappropriated funds. He was criminally charged by Kenyan authorities and has also plead guilty to falsifying a police report. 

Phone recording of Peter Ruhiu 

Mr. Kielburger was acting in cooperation with the authorities in the conduct of this investigation, as has  been documented by various third parties. Moreover, it is evident when listening to the recording that  Marc Kielburger initiated the call, noting the date and time, prior to calling Mr. Peter Ruhiu.  We have submitted documentation to Canadaland that clearly confirms these facts, including a statement by  Michelle Hambly, a Canadian national, who is Mr. Ruhiu’s ex-wife. We also shared with Canadaland  extensive supporting documentation including an independent report from the external international agency that was involved in the investigation as well as an independent report from the former Directorate of Criminal Investigations supporting these facts. 

Claims by Mr. Kimakeke 

Mr. Kimakeke posted a blog for a few days with false materials, accompanied by a solicitation for reader  donation/funds. Mr. Kimakeke removed the blogpost five days later, with a statement on the same  blogsite renouncing his claims.  Mr. Kimakeke has multiple times made false claims, and multiple times  renounced those claims. An affidavit signed by Satani Kimakeke was previously provided to Canadaland,  dated October 7th, 2020. In it, Mr. Kimakeke said under oath that he had fabricated his past claims about  Marc Kielburger. Mr. Kimakeke specifically said “I told Jesse Brown on July 6th, 2020, prior to publication  of the information on the Canadaland web site on these matters, that the claims about Marc Kielburger and WE Charity is, in fact, false” …, “however, Jesse Brown published the false information anyways. I  also explained to Jesse Brown on Twitter the information was incorrect. He did not modify his reporting or take down false information”.  

WE Charity’s responses to Canadaland’s questions:

2018 investigation:
https://www.canadaland.com/all-of-wes-answers-to-canadaland-and-letters-from-their-lawyers/

2019 investigation:
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/21044335-we-responses-to-canadaland-2019?responsive=1&title=1

WE.org Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/we-charity

WE.org Financials page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/about-we/we-charity/governance/

ME to WE Transparency page:
https://www.we.org/en-CA/transparency-reporting/me-to-we

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Further Reading:

Canadaland reporting on WE Charity in Kenya:

Crime And Fraud At WE Charity In Kenya
https://www.canadaland.com/crime-and-fraud-at-we-charity-in-kenya/

“Regulatory Mischief”
https://www.canadaland.com/we-charity-in-kenya/

Bloomberg News on WE in Kenya:

How a Charity Superstar Innovated Its Way to Political Scandal
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-12-29/oprah-trudeau-and-covid-we-charity-innovated-its-way-to-political-scandal

WE Charity’s Actions Leave a Trail of Enraged, Grieving Donors
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-12-29/oprah-trudeau-and-covid-we-charity-innovated-its-way-to-political-scandal

CBC on WE in Kenya:

Multiple WE Charity donors raised money for same borehole well in Kenyan village
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/we-charity-free-the-children-donations-borehole-well-osenetoi-kenya-1.5938928

This episode contains source materials used under the Fair Dealing provisions of the Copyright Act.

Sources:

Guelph Politicast
https://guelphpolitico.ca/2020/08/19/guelph-politicast-234-we-a-personal-story/

It Takes a Child
Craig Kielburger’s Story – A Journey into Child Labour
Directed by Judy Jackson
Produced by Judy Films
Youtube

The Story of Craig Kielburger
produced, and narrated by Sherine Mansour
CPAC
Youtube

In Search Of Character
LiveWire Media
Elkind+Sweet Communications, Inc
https://www.livewiremedia.com/product/in-search-of-character/

The Price WE Paid
The Fifth Estate/CBC

Interview with Craig Kielburger
CSPAN

Craig Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video
Youtube

Marc Kielburger NSB Speakers promotional video
Youtube

WE Movement Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

MeToWe Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6agaIkn5aBJlLLds7P1HQ

CTV News – Kielburger brothers interview with Lisa Laflamme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_p5PRLy2os

MTV Cribs: Craig Kielburger Episode
Haddon Strategy
https://vimeo.com/49975157

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