Took a break away from the internet today, before my guys started to forget what I looked like 
Yesterday afternoon, I attended a meeting of a small group of concerned Kenyan citizens at the Kenyan High Commission. The recently appointed ambassador to SA chaired the meeting. We arrived a bit late so I missed part of what was discussed at the meeting. The group was trying to find ways to respond to the crisis in Kenya. I think the meeting was also cathartic for the attendees who feel helpless about the situation, especially being in the diaspora. The issue of who won or who lost the election didn’t come up – the focus was on what Kenyans in the diaspora can do with regards to the immediate crisis of the violence and the displacement. One key resolution was for those of us who have access to the media to demonstrate that the situation is a lot more nuanced than Kikuyu vs. Luo and than “tribal war” – this tag by the international media is leading to piecemeal solutions being offered that won’t really address the underlying issues. We also committed to engaging in dialogue with our neighbours, friends, co-workers etc. – this might seem like a very fluffy suggestion, but let me reiterate that emotions are still very charged and most conversations don’t drill down to what are the real issues – the more we can move away from the rhetoric that was used to get voters charged during the campaigns the more we can begin to prepare the path for reconciliation as a country once this mess is over. A participant who had a lot of experience with conflict resolution in Africa said that governments of national unity never work – it might address the issues of Raila and Kibaki, but not much else. But then again it might be the only way to stop the violence – unfortunately, the hard work that needs to be done after the violence is over will almost certainly not be done (think Molo’92, Likoni ’97). It’s just depressing to realize that we are being held hostage by a number of individuals.
And it’s unfortunate that we are now placed in the position of trying to demonstrate how tolerant we are – conversations are peppered with “I have lots of Luo /kikuyu friends,” “my family has lots of intermarriage” “my husband/wife is from xyz” “my best friend is from XYZ” – we are all now super aware of our ethnicity – how long will it take for that to fade away again. Do you all find yourselves in this situation? [other strange things – we have now been reduced to admiring Moi’s rigging tactics].
There was a suggestion of a bigger meeting with more Kenyans involved, but a number of us raised the concern of that degenerating into which side is right. There is a demo being planned at the High Commission on Tuesday but I’m not sure who’s organizing it. In the meantime we are keeping the conversation going – any Kenyan’s based in South Africa who’d like to join please drop me a line.
AOB:
– Afromusing has left Eldoret. Her updates from the area were invaluable. She has good information on how to help that specific area.
– Bankelele is also skeptical about a government of national unity, what do you think of his interesting alternative?
– Aftermath of the poll violence as seen from space. Still waiting for firm takers on the Google Mashup idea.
Finally, thank you all again for expressing your gratitude and support. It is now my turn to ask something of you. I would like to move away from the “end violence” “peace in Kenya” “Kenya belongs to Kenyans” platitudes – I want you to tell me how you feel about this situation on a personal level…what does Kenya mean to you…personalize it, bring out the nuances, tell us about your family members, how does it feel to be witnessing this from the diaspora, how do you feel about the media coverage, etc.etc. You can submit these “diaries” anonymously or not via the comment section or email them to me at kenyanpundit-at-gmail-dot-com (stay away from hateful or inciteful statements). I think it is so important to tell OUR story in OUR voice – not that of the media, of the politicians, of the party, of the tribe…speak YOUR truth. I will publish what you send on the blog.
Look forward to reading from you.
–
Thank you for all your posts and I am glad you made it safely to Joburg. I am an Ethiopian and have been following closely the post electoral violence in Kenya. My prayers are with my Kenyan brothers and sisters. I hope reason will prevail and Kenyans will start the healing process sooner rather than later.
The recent events in Kenya are a warning to all Ethiopians and fellow Africans who consider themselves as peace loving or God-fearing and unable to commit such acts of violence.
In hindsight, I believe the electoral dispute in the 2005 Ethiopian parliamentary elections could have led to the same degree of violence had the government not reacted firmly and rounded up 30,000 inner city slum dwellers suspected of involvement in the post electoral violence and put them in prison for a few days (that being said, the murders committed by the police are deplorable, to say the least). The government may have lost the elections and wanted to stay in power by any means necessary, but there were also credible reports that some residents of Addis Ababa were stocking up on machetes… The recent events in Kenya may have vindicated Meles Zenawi.
The poor in Ethiopia are worse off than in Kenya and although the gap between the haves and have-nots is not as bad, it’s widening. There is also an increasing hatred towads the Tigres because of a real, and apparent, perception that they are overly represented in government. With twice the number of population and ethnic groups, and a plethora of liberation fronts, there is a serious risk that things could get out of hand in the 2010 Ethiopian elections and beyond. I hope Ethiopians will look at Kenya and wake up and smell the coffee.
Tribalism and poverty is a lethal combination. Economic growth in Africa should be more equitable. What Africa needs is not more tribalism and fake multi-party elections but less corruption, transparent institutions, a better tax collection, an effective redistribution of wealth, improved social safety nets and education for the poor. We also need a better, if not a compulsory, civic education on the meaning of democracy and tolerance in order to get rid of the winner-take all mentality that’s dragging the continent down.
Be safe!
Damte
Ory,
How does it feelto be witnessing this from the diaspora?
I feel shit scared, and niko na wasi wasi 24/7.
I started a blog today, as my phone has been ringing off the hook with friends, colleagues, and relatives elsewhere checking on what is happening. It just felt easier to put things in one place.
I feel so powerless knowing that things could escalate, and I am not there with my loved ones.
The prospect of being a Kenyan Refugee is real, which is something that I had never contemplated.
I cannot even begin to think of losing my family at home, and have gone from ringing Nairobi once a week, to five times a day since this whole thing started.
My anxiety levels are high. I sob when I see photo coverage, and watch the news. I spend anytime that I have online, and have to watch the news every day now.
I have become obsessed with what is going on. It is important to me, and I am praying so hard that the violence stops.
The one thing that I am very aware of now, is what tribe I am.The ethnic violence is chilling.
What I can’t get over is the way in which the elections were rigged. It was so shameless and blatant, and the people had to respond in one way or another.
I feel very drained, and I am not at home, so how the hell are people at home feeling.
It is scary knowing that communication could be cut, when they stopped the live media broadcast, I wondered what I would do if we were cut off. Honestly, I don’t think I would cope.
Dear Ory,
First, I’d like to commend you on what you do not just for us but for the passion you share with us for our beloved country Kenya. Though I’m based in the US and only a spectator to the recent events, I never realized how passionate I was about my country until now. I’m sure some of your audience can relate.
I bumped accross this article online by Gwyne Dyer, a commentor for the Colombus Tribune. No one could have said it better. I simply ask that you post it on your blog for your audience, or a link to it. I’ll post the link below. Thanks again for everything.
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/editorials/stories/2008/01/04/dyer04.ART_ART_01-04-08_A11_V98V394.html?sid=101
Yours,
Tim.
I am not certain if this is what you are looking for, but i recently wrote about how the opposition in Uganda is trying to manipulate the situation in Kenya for its own gains. This is one of the ways in which we can see how the crisis in Kenya is filtering into Uganda’s politics.
Kenya’s peace and stability is vital to Uganda’s economy. Whether or not a free and functioning democracy is a part of that equation is really secondary because right now people in Kampala are more upset about rising fuel prices than they are about the elections in Kenya. As such, look for Uganda’s gov’t to do whatever it thinks will work to help restore that stability.
I hadn’t been home in 4 yrs. Seeing my family after slogging through baggage claim and a disinterested customs agent, was like, heaven. All of them there, plus nephews and nieces who were curious about me after all the talk and pictures. A few days later I’m in a small supermarket in Sarit, Wanjiru and I are debating whether we’ll finally find soy milk, and upon inquiry, a stocker tells us no, no soy, but why don’t you try the camel milk, it’s delicious. Flashback to my youth, falling inlove with AH (in all his wondrous luo-ness), I was considered radical because I didn’t have tribal affiliations. This is the Kenya I know and deeply love. Walking down biashara street, haggling with those Indians for fabric, heckling working girls on Koinange, and listening to that guy at the market trying to sell me tourist prices till i start with my rusty sheng. Most of all, growing up to be a woman my mother, grandmothers, aunts, sisters and cousins can be proud of.
So many people are saying the solution is a re-run of the election.
But seriously, why do people think another election would be any different? What makes them think it can’t just easily be rigged again??!!
I love you Kenya why are we breaking up?
I have lived in naivasha, nakuru also schooled in different parts of the country and never gave a damn about realistic lines at all, never gave a damn bout the kikuyu, or luo or embu in short had no ill feelings to any tribe I mean am young and the group I know we do crack some jokes here and there along tribal lines but now nobody is, we cut it off due to what’s going on.
what happened people, what is going on in Kenya, i sit here and ponder does me killing a kikuyu or I hear an embu help me, no no people no. and what’s with the burning of the church, i know we are of a third world country but a church you got to be kidding me, you playing right!
my fellow Kenyan man we got to grow up i do know that racial lines, tensions will always be there that’s human but sometimes its human to think too. I have no clue how we are going to pull out of this but man if we do let the Lord ride us on this one.
its a shame what we have come to burning little kids you mean little children u got to be kidding me I mean little children, they have no clue what’s going on. seriously what about the women who gave birth to us, the womb, you just stole that too.
its a shame man its really a shame, do people sometimes print out this pictures, the gruesome pictures at the morgue, on the streets, alleys and worse of all carcasses of people so that these heinous crimes can be seen by all? and lets be honest here for a little bit each tribe has lost somebody right its just barbaric how these has happened.
now lets talk about our two year old kids, our politicians who of course cannot think straight and know that lives are at stake here,. Mr. Kibaki you very well know you are not suppose to be there, you like a kid holding on to a candy stick. Sir please think of what’s going on and I mean right now. Your own people are dying and you think while you sit there at what you call state house give a sheepish address and go back helps. As these man gone out of that place anyway to the streets and seen what’s going on. Kenya is burning brother, Kenya is burning and who will pour in the water.
Sir please please think I know you are a father think and think. If you keep sitting k have no clue then, you know Raila is not stupid to say I am going to court hello they aint go do nothing! and so will a recount help. Can you guy seek help from outside do something. Man kibaki was doing good till now. Is it really that hard to leave that famous sit for the sake of a brother living is it?
My second born child raila you probably know that they might listen to you and I mean the protesters they are out there dying for you, why cant you walk out there and ask them to stop and I mean plead with them, its time to stop all this raila it is. One thing I do understand is I know the courts will fail you I totally agree but is there something else you can do. Peacefully!
I love Kenya I do I really do love Kenya, we were doing so so good till now. Why Kenyans why, why did we have to bring mama African pride down why.
Get up be proud and ask ourselves what are we really doing. Yeah I know something was wrong with the vote but we can stand up peacefully and cry ourselves out.
By the way I am a kalenjin and proud of who I am, proud of those I have met, those I have befriended and those that loved and been loved by me. I love each one of you as a Kenya except for the barbaric creatures that slaughter little children that to me is extremely sickening and unforgivable. I put this on out high ranking officials remember that the honorable, misters and mistresses. Think and sleep thinking this is all on you.
Love Kenya.
Hey, I’m a born and bred kenyan asian. I’m very horrified what is happening in Eldoret and other parts of our country. My heartfelt sympathies to all the families who have and are still losing loved ones.
STOP THESE UNNECESSARY KILLINGS! There is no excuse or justification for killing innocent kenyans. NONE WHATSOEVER!
Stop pretending that all this turmoil is happening in the name of DEMOCRACY! Stop Pretending that burning churches, killing people on ethnic lines, burning their businesses and homes, driving them out of thier homes is a protest against democracy….
You do not know what is DEMOCRACY! Pretenders! Murderers! What will you say when the tables are turned on you, a generation later?
The correct democratic way to have handled all the objections is through peaceful means. The peaceful Million man March was a great idea but as was proved here in Nairobi on Thursday, peace was never a priority. Looting food stalls, breaking into shops, burning fuel stations was what is was about. I witnessed this first hand.
The real genocide is taking place in Eldoret, as evident from the mortuary. Columns of cars leaving Eldoret is
still going on. Maybe someone can EXPLAIN what is happening here in simple plain english! And don’t offer me that un-educated and un-civilised pathetic line on democracy is violence and it is okay to kill innocent people!
We all need to stop this violence! We are all kenyans. We live, work, socialise together …. STOP THIS VIOLENCE!
If anyone is in Eldoret or elsewhere, kindly provide us with regular updates on the situation there. Your voices must be heard so that the murderers know you are being heard!
You whose family, brother, sister, mother have been killed. You are innocent, no matter what tribe.
IT IS NOT WORTH IT! Dont be blind. PEACE is the only way forward.
MAR.
Talking about the feelings of Kenyans abroad, a group of 20 Kenyans met in Kalamazoo, Michigan to plan and issue a statement about the crisis in Kenya. The group consisted of a good cross-section of Kenyans. I could not go for reasons that ar eirrelavant here, but I persuaded two good friends–incidentally a Kikuyu and a Luo–to attend. They held a Press Conference where they issued a statement to the local local paper and a TV station. A few questions followed and various Kenyans responded. The main point of the controversy was to ask Kibaki to step down and allow peace and democracy to rule Kenya. The news clip is carried by the Kalamazoo Gazette of Sun., Jan 6. The paper cites a number of other US cities where Kenyans are expressing their disatisfaction with the way Kibaki got the Presidency and the chaos that have resulted from that fraud–a continuation of the corruption that has plagued his administration since 2002.
Karanjaj–Indiana, USA
Ory,
Thanks for your update. Great to hear you got to Jobrg safely.
I don’t know if I’ll be taking us back. My concern is the lack of insight into the mistakes committed by ECK. The whole problem started with the ECK even after the smooth running of the elections in the grassroots – polling stations. The inflated figures were obviously the work of some corrupt ECK officials. Who are these people? Why do we seem to be forgetting all about them? Isn’t that the origin of the whole mess? Shouldn’t these people be taken to court and prosecuted? Where is the anti-corruption authority? We saw some ECK officials speaking out on what was going on at ECK during the tallying process, so witnesses are there. Kivuitu, whom I fail to understand his TOR, have confessed to have been put under pressure, by whom? Shouldn’t we get him in the dock explaining to Kenya who the master minders of the whole fiasco were?
Sorry, I am already thinking loudly, but perhaps, we will never get to know the truth.
Kenyans went to polls, some very early; Election officials in polling stations did their work – in some cases excellently. Results were witnessed by agents from the then contesting parties and approved. Results arrive in Nairobi and somebody went into the orgy of impregnating figures wildly. The rest we know, we don’t have to think about it because we see and tears keep streaming from our eyes. Now people have been left homeless, hungry, angry and helpless. Where are these guilty ECK officials? Happy now?
I am a Kenyan based in Sri Lanka and I have really appreciated all the info from your blog and all the other blogs (Josephkaroki, Mashada, Kenyaimagine etc).
But now I have a urgent message to anyone who can pass on this message. Can you post it please on your blog?
The people displaced by the figthing in Turbo, uasin Gishu District, and who are at the moemnt at the Polcie Station at turbo, have declared revenge. They plan an attack on homes from today (6th January).
Please pass the message to the authorities and all concerned to prevent this as this would only elad to anotehr bloodbath and more revenge killings.
Thankfully, my family are all well and safe at the moment – I pray the worst has passed. I’m logging any news they give me on http://www.kenya-africa.blogspot.com.
its been heartbreaking watching, reading and hearing about how fast n how low my people can sink into violence………………and its even worse when you have to depend on 2nd and 3rd hand info. sitting in front of the monitor and shedding tears as you try and visualize what was happening at home was the order if the day. you’re a certified angel. thanks for keeping us updated on what was happening. blessings on you yours.
Once again, thank you for the updates. You may not be aware of this, but you are doing a great job. Thanks and stay safe.
Kenyan living in Cape Town. How may i help with the situation back home? let me know anything that i can do to help.
Be safe
Dick
watching the chaos fan out from the diaspora, i could not help but mourn for my country and what we have come to. It was sad to note that pple who have resided in a community for generations could be uprooted for mere fact that their origin/time of migration was different to the majority – forgetting that pple tend to have the same interests if they live in same area. I have family members in different parts of the countries and though they we are related by blood, their aspirations mirror those of their neighbors.
I am also sad to note that we have not learned the lessons from the land clashes of the 90s. this goes to show that if no action is taken over past sins, then they are bound to be repeated in the future; the pple who had private armies in the previous times were never brought to justice and the results can now be seen in eldoret where the perpetrators of past violence are at it again under the guise of the stolen elections;
but the really sad affair is the confirmation that it doesnt matter your level of education, power and especially unchecked power is highly intoxicating; and pple will go to any lengths to clutch onto it. By this time all kenyans should have realised we dont have any real alternatives on the political scene; the parties and candidates on offer are the same/similar only with different sets of vested interests; our only hope lies with implementing a constitution that establishes proper independent institutions that can withstand pressure from any quarters; we also need to have a balanced approach to staffing those institutions with competent officials; leaving the most crucial announcements that could determine the future to senile officials like Kivuitu – who engages indry humour while the country is burning is height of incompetence.:cry:
finally, am happy to note that kenyans have finally woken up to the fact that we’re not special beings in africa; the peace and stability we have maintained is not by default but as a result of level-headedness on each individuals part; peace is a fragile commodity and can only be maintained through concerted efforts;
thanks for your part in informing us:grin:
here’s an idea.
What about proposing a nation wide economic boycott of the top 10 – 30 companies that are the largest financial supporters of Kibaki’s party of national unity, and Kibaki himself, until Kibaki steps down or hands over power to someone else?
I.e. the real winner Raila Odinga, a respected independent person, or perhaps an new presidential election overseen by independent outside observers, i.e. the UN?
Perhaps people could stop buying any goods or services from their companies, and stop selling to them.
It might be a way of allowing those that are frustrated by having their election and their voices stolen from them to express that frustration in a more peaceful way, i.e. no violence/burning/ethnic cleansing or risking being killed by the police while protesting.
It would also have more impact on Kibaki than killing/ chasing out some poor street vendors who unfortunately happen to be members of the same tribe as him. Hopefully at least a few of the top 10, 20 or 30 financial supporters of Kibaki’s party would not all be owned by Kikuyu’s so that might help reduce tribal hatred a bit, by making it more about the party and the leader than just members of one particular tribe. This might be a step towards decreasing the ethnic hatred in the country.
It would allow people from all tribes to participate, even Kikuyu’s since it’s not directed at a specific tribe, more directed at pressuring the financial backers of the party that shamelessly stole the election and fiddled while Kenya’s people and economy burned.
It would be more likely to have some impact on the party if the financial elite started hurting, they are more likely to be able to influence Kibaki and his party to give up power than someone just running a small business or market stall.
As a Canadian, I don’t know Kenya very well, so I don’t know how feasible this is or in what ways it would need to be modified to be effective. Perhaps ideally this could be discussed, modified and proposed by people from many different segments of Kenyan society including some prominent Kikuyu’s. Something like a national salvation council type group.
Kikuyus may be the largest tribe in the country, over represented in the political and financial elite, and many of them backed Kibaki’s party, but even with being 7.5 million people out of 34.5 million, (according to the BBC) they’re still out numbered by members of other Kenyan tribes 4.6 to 1.
I think that some of them might welcome a way to get other Kenyan’s to focus their anger and hate more on the elite financial backers that are propping up Kibaki and the PNU instead of just the nearest members of their tribe.
My guess is that Kibaki probably thinks if he gives up power now and tried to live in Kenya, he’d be killed or jailed for life. Perhaps another country might allow him to move there so he’d be more likely to give up power more quickly with less bloodshed and damage to Kenya.
@ Larry,
Can you confirm your sources please?
My family are in Uasin Gishu,very close to Turbo.
I am not in Kenya at present but living with the fear and worry makes me wish i was there!
If i informed the authorities,how would i back up my story?
Can u pls email me at b.life92@yahoo.com n give me all the information you have.
Thanks 4 the warning.
Thanks again Ory. I agree with Damte that we have to develope our type of democracy that does not allow “the winner takes it all”. Even the West is realising the short comings of their type of Democracy of the ” winner takes it all” when applied to Africa. Looking it in another way, the “winner takes it all Party system” discrinates in a way that practing tribalisim does. The difference is that while anyone can change parties, no one can change his or her tribe ( & honestly most people wouldn’t change even if it were possible).
Former President Reagan of USA once belonged to a democratic party then changed to the greener pasture of Republic party and ended up a president. In USA people of the same family vote for different parties, even some belong to a republican party but vote for a democratic party and visa versa. It works well for them and the day after elections is no different from the previous one, people did not go to the streets in the 2000 elections when there were election contravercies and even the suprime court got involved.
So why is it that what works well in USA or other developed countries doesn’t seem to work well in African countries? Not until we address this issue can we be able to benefit from the democratic process of voting.
My opinion is that a “winner takes it all-system” can’t work in Africa because when it was designed from without, African type of social systems of tribes, demographics and economic factors were never factored into the equation of the “principals of what it takes a Democratic system to successed when applied to diffrent types of people in different types of social and economic enviroments” .
Hi Ory
During the elections I was glued to your blog it was unbiased and factual – there is a point you turned biased and ever since it seems the only people who post on your blog are very like-minded with you – are you censoring? Please give an opportunity for people to present ideas/opinions that are diverse (especially from yours) this is what we need to move on – the very platitude you want people to move on from – you got them fixated on so lead the way. There are several truths for the current situation in Kenya let’s hear them.
Thanks Ory for everything,
There is a mashup started at the above website. The techie is based in USA but the Breaking News is updated with the international rss news feed.
Mandera, in the far East of the country is where I was born. With many refugees from Somalia already living in our town, for a moment, I was pondering what if all of a sudden we become like them. I was confident though that things would calm down and that Kenyans are wiser than the footages I was watching at miles away from home. Still, the notion that we are Africa’s beacon of stability and democracy has being dealt a blow that only time will tell its severity.
Living in the diaspora too doesn’t help much. You live in anxiety, not knowing what tomorrow holds in place for your country. You can’t contemplate on what would happen if the worst-God forbid- happens. I remember during the election day, I used to stay awake almost all night waiting for the results. And when I finally go to bed, it is so difficult to sleep. And when you finally wake up, you can’t wait to switch on the PC before you pray or do anything. Little did I know that it will end in this. Much credit to Ory, who has being invaluable in keeping us up-to-date.
What hast triggered all of this ‘sudden’ violence? Personally, I believe it is a combination of complex factors rooted in injustice, poverty (the result of unemployment), ethnicity, a struggle between two generations, greed for power and what I would say a lack of academic or mental maturity among other factors. Successive regimes since independence ignored the needs of the people as they amassed wealth to enrich themselves and their closest relatives. In where I come from, Mandera, for example, the people often wonder whether they are part of Kenya. This is because the people’s needs have being ignored, many live in abject poverty and they feel they are being marginalised. The same with other communities all over the country. When the ‘leaders’ only care about their selfish interests, when the plight of the youth is ignored, when one group dominates another, there is bound to be some sort of reaction that may result in violence with time.
The solution? I believe first and foremost that the root cause of the problems be addressed. I believe that for this problem to be addressed effectively, the plight of the youth must be addressed. Kenyans from all over the country must be treated equally beyond the constitution. With justice comes equality, with equality starts the eradication of poverty, with the eradication of poverty, comes stability. With all these, we can achieve unity and with unity, we can have peace. As for the political limbo we are in now, a gov’t of national unity is, in my view, not the way out. We need to address all those things I mentioned and others. We need to lay the foundation for a stability that will be beyond Raila and Kibaki. The international community is calling for a gov’t of national unity but I doubt whether they have any understanding of the political situation in Kenya. In fact, I doubt whether Jendayi Frazer ever heard of something called NARC. When this didn’t work in 2002, how is it going to work now? I guess the short term solution is an interim gov’t with a new election in the shortest time possible. Read that again. The short term solution, not a long lasting solution. Once we have a legitimately elected gov’t then, the first task of this gov’t should be to address all these factors and find a lasting solution for posterity.
Thank you so much for the blog and all that you are doing.
What’s the site for the GoogleEarth mashup? I am trying to find other maps of the post-election violence to match the UNOSAT ones tracking the fires and would very much like to contribute to the mashup of GoogleEarth maps or any related project if I can be of any use at all. This project will be really important.
Stay safe and thank you once again for your work.
Hi Mil,
i got this info (the attacck planned in Turbo) from reliable sources. I shall call home and check wtehr its happened or not. My family too is in Turbo, and you can imagine my worries. I already asked them to move into the interior.
However, i believe God will protect them.
Thanx for the updates, Ory. You did a much better job than those paid to inform others.
About making it personal, I’ll borrow a phrase from Half n Half:
I hate it that I saw a pic of a man carrying a little girl to safety, and was shaken. “There but the Grace of God go I”.
I hate it that the extremists are now holding the rest of us hostage, and now all of us are guilty until proved innocent.
I hate it that PEOPLE ARE DYING and all our “leaders” are doing is talking, talking…. Where is the leadership? Where is the action?
I hate it that in the next few elections, many of us will say “what’s the use of voting?”.
I hate it that when I hear rumor-as-fact comments from fellow Kenyans, all I do is roll my eyes. When I feel like shouting “Are you listening to yourself? Do you know how ridiculous you sound?”
I hate it that my childhood memories of South C are good, yet this girl’s innocence is gone.
I hate it that I have an “I hate it” list
Thank you so much for keeping us informed about what is going on in kenya. I am a second generation kenyan after my grandparents immigrated there in the 1950’s. Kenya is my home and we are greatly disturbed with what is going on. We are hooked on the news, calling home(coast) and reading news online. Kenya was an example to all other african states and we were all proud of her. What has become of our country? Neighbours turning against each other just because of their ethnicity?? Where has all the love gone. At the end of the day, it’s not the politicians who will suffer, but the citizens. I pray that it doesn’t get worse. God Bless Kenya!
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[…] Kenya Pundit reports Yesterday afternoon, I attended a meeting of a small group of concerned Kenyan citizens at the Kenyan High Commission. The recently appointed ambassador to SA chaired the meeting. We arrived a bit late so I missed part of what was discussed at the meeting. The group was trying to find ways to respond to the crisis in Kenya. I think the meeting was also cathartic for the attendees who feel helpless about the situation, especially being in the diaspora. The issue of who won or who lost the election didn’t come up – the focus was on what Kenyans in the diaspora can do with regards to the immediate crisis of the violence and the displacement. One key resolution was for those of us who have access to the media to demonstrate that the situation is a lot more nuanced than Kikuyu vs. Luo and than “tribal war†– this tag by the international media is leading to piecemeal solutions being offered that won’t really address the underlying issues. We also committed to engaging in dialogue with our neighbours, friends, co-workers etc. – this might seem like a very fluffy suggestion, but let me reiterate that emotions are still very charged and most conversations don’t drill down to what are the real issues – the more we can move away from the rhetoric that was used to get voters charged during the campaigns the more we can begin to prepare the path for reconciliation as a country once this mess is over…. […]
[…] it marks, battle lines all the more firmly etched for having now been drawn with blood. Ori at kenyanpundit testifies to the ways that the violence has already reshaped the social reality of being Kenyan, […]
[…] And it’s unfortunate that we are now placed in the position of trying to demonstrate how tolerant we are – conversations are peppered with “I have lots of Luo /kikuyu friends,†“my family has lots of intermarriage†… we are all now super aware of our ethnicity – how long will it take for that to fade away again. (Ory) […]
[…] does Kenya mean to me, KP asks. Not very much at this point, I’m afraid. Kenya was this beautiful country I missed terribly […]