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    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

    ****

    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

    ****

    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

    More from this series
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    September 13, 2021
    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.
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    Trailer: The White Saviors
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    The White Saviors