Patrick Mono Mbura is a native Kenyan, born in 1971. He grew up in the countryside outside Mombassa, the coastal region of Kenya. In 1979 he started primary education and continued until 1991, then working in a Catholic Mission as Youth Chairperson and as Deanery Youth Chairperson. He studied hotel and catering supervision from 1995-97. Patrick is one of the first writers to be funded by openDemocracy to learn IT skills in his local village so he can take part in oD's global conversation.

Recent articles

President Bush has rallied his troops for what he calls “The first war of the 21st century”. What is your view of this crisis, where, briefly, do you stand? This is the question we are putting to people around the world, especially those with their own public reputation and following. Our aim, to help create a truly global debate all can identify with.

See also "Writers, artists and civic leaders on the War: Part II"

A poem from a New Yorker who is not a professional poet, and a statement from a Kenyan who is not a professional writer. They do not know each other, but their responses resonate and echo the feelings of the many.