Comments on: Update – Burnt Forest/Eldoret Jan 1 11:45 pm (Edit)

By: Fletcher Reflections » Blogs, SMS and the Kenyan Election

Fletcher Reflections » Blogs, SMS and the Kenyan Election — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 20:22:01 +0000

[...] friend Juliana Rotich (Afromusing ) have been critical in relaying information from the volatile Eldoret/Burnt Forest. Also, Nick Wadhams has presciently put the current violence in perspective of previous Kenyan [...]

By: MediaChannel.org

MediaChannel.org — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 17:18:27 +0000

[...] conflict, which was initially described as Kikuyu vs. Luo has turned into something else: For now it is critical to get the word out about the situation in Eldoret and Burnt Forest. This [...]

By: Global Voices Online » Kenya: Do not doubt the power of the Internet in Africa

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:42:05 +0000

[...] conflict, which was initially described as Kikuyu vs. Luo has turned into something else: For now it is critical to get the word out about the situation in Eldoret and Burnt Forest. This [...]

By: Seasonsandreasons

Seasonsandreasons — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 14:03:05 +0000

I just talked to a friend in Eldoret who says that the GSU has provided them with armed escort and lorries to travel to central province.

He has refused to get in the truck coz all his life he knows his home is Eldoret and he does not know anyone in Central province.

He says that Burnt forest is burning literally

By: BRE

BRE — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:59:30 +0000

Ory, those of us in the Sphere who have followed and supported your excellent work over the past few years are very, very worried about the unfolding chaos and violence in Kenya. The claims and counter-claims and unverified reports coming out of the country via the Web are flying around like bullets in a Faluja (Iraq) firefight. Words and images that have the potential to incite violence can kill as surely as any gun or machete so be sure to stay clear of any “news” that you cannot verify.

Our prayers are with you, Mental (M), Daudi and others who are working so desperately to report on the post-election violence and attempts to bring it under control. Be safe foremost, be true to your principles and ideals, be courageous, and cover your rear-ends in case things go terribly, terribly wrong. Let us know in the Sphere what we can do to help the people of Kenya return to the path of Peace and Reconciliation.

BRE @ Jewels in the Jungle
Germany

By: cassidy

cassidy — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 08:07:15 +0000

the situation in Kenya has turned from election protests, to something akin to ethnic cleansing. Remember during elections when Kibaki was dishing out districts? the burnt forest area was one such recipient, and this is an ‘island of kikuyus’ surrounded by the Kalenjin- not the luo as reported in CNN.

the bottom line is that, the actions of a few greedy elite has led to the massacre of the poor. our elections will never be about issues any more, it will be about my tribe , and those who associate with the ‘enemy’ are ‘betraying our course’ the

By: mwikali35

mwikali35 — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 00:09:21 +0000

It is very shokin to read the things that are unfolding in kenya,burning people no matter the tribe in church is unfair both to them and God.Pliz kenyans lets shun tribalism now because it will affect all of us in one way or the other,kikuyus are human beings,so are luoz,and lets remember kila mtu na siku yake,God save kenya.

By: WK

WK — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:12:22 +0000

Ory, thanks so much for making this post.!!!
As I said, please contact me if you need any other info about the Burnt Forest/Eldoret area. Also, and more importantlly, if you have any contacts in the area that know of a way out, please post such info on your site. I’m hearing that although the main roads are blocked, the airport maybe open…. As bad as Nairobi is, I’d be happy to get my extended family there and away from the anarchy that is Burnt Forest. Can we also organize a joint effort (bloggers, readers, all Kenyans) to the international community. We need to start sending emails/faxes/letters and calling representatives in foreign govts. Yes, the answers lie with Kenyans, but we can get international assistance to move things faster. It would be great if you and M and other bloggers could co-ordinate this effort because most Kenyans in Diaspora are constantly reading your sites. Thanks again for all your doing. Asante!!!

By: Isseh

Isseh — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:42:20 +0000

Ory, thanks.

I am just wondering whether the road closure only restricted to the Eldoret highway, or are other thugs and government officials, blockading exit/entry routes to/from Nairobi and other major cities? I have family trying to leave cities but are complaining about the unavailability of transport means.

PS; I am saddened to hear there are more other tribes involved in this unfortuate saga. I hope the police/army would get up their behinds and provide proper security for once. I also hope that things would calm down in the coming days. Hope is all I have now.

Thanks again ory

By: Stefano

Stefano — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 22:40:24 +0000

Just wanted to say thanks for the updates. I’ am an Italian boy and i worked in Tanzania for two year. I have a female friends that work in Kenya with an Italian NGO (she is a vet). Mungu atakusaidia.