Violence rocks Kenya again

…Update sent from Oakseed friend in Kenya…

This update comes to you when shocking violence rocked and led to partial destruction of otherwise peaceful towns of Nakuru and Naivasha. One of our staff wen on official duty to minister to the displaced in Burnt Forest and together with a team of 20 conducted the first ever Sunday service for the displaced yesterday.

They are now stuck in the area due to the countless roadblocks that have seen the death of a Catholic priest and close to 20 others forcefully removed from Public transport vehicles and killed. Last night was difficult for them as raiders attempted to raid and kill the displaced close to the police station where the team is putting up. The police thankfully repulsed the raiders. It is now official that the roads are unsafe without police escort and the situation has worsened since Friday last week… worse than when the caravan of hope went out… The team expected back today is trying to get to Eldoret before they can be escorted back to Nairobi, ironically via Burnt Forest again. The police in Eldoret are who are expected to escort the convoy are reportedly overwhelmed by violence further north west near Turbo town towards Webuye. Over 20 or so roadblocks have been erected for ethinic cleansing…

Peace gathering in Kibera…

On Saturday, (19th), there was a meeting with 22 leaders in Kibera, who met to discuss how to restore peace by critically examining the impact of (past) conflicts. Some of the worst violence continue to be experienced in Kibera especially around Fort Jesus. It is around this area that churches were razed by arsonists.

Several pastors, community elders and two aspiring civic leaders from both divides of the conflict were among those who attended; one a very eloquent young man who cadidly explained why he lost the election. He claims his supporters told him that he was too young, still single and had no money. The other civic leader’s ward has been ordered to hold fresh election due to anomalies at the just concluded election. The two hour deliberations saw the leaders make interesting proposals: that we meet again in about two weeks time and hold similar conversations in the hotspots and have as many of the inciters of violence attend. Thankfully our young civic leader has contact with a number of inciters and promised to not only host the meeting but also to invite the inciters of violence. Our mediation plan will include engaging warring parties to carry out joint reconstruction of homes etc as a way of rebuilding peace and trust.

Please pray that we shall see calm return to Kibera through these efforts. Pray also that the ongoing mediation talks led by Koffi Annan will yield lasting peace and reconsciliation. One major concern is that the violence, if it continues (and if it hasn’t already) may head into an irreversible gear; that of personal/tribal grudge and revenge militias which the two leaders may be unble to contain regardless of who is or becomes the legitimate president. IT will be remembered that many conflicts on the continent started as small feuds that then escalated into decades of bloody civil strife by not being contained early enough. Pray for my work that has so far been put into a neutral face but recently been personally examined as to who I am and my tribal affiliation which is now a very sensitive issue.