Sadly Kenya

It's about 4am, and can hardly sleep. Disheartening thoughts of the goings on in my country are constantly going through my mind.

What exactly is happening? Well, Kenya held its general elections on 27th Dec, 2007. Voter turnout was pretty impressive and the queues just as impressive. Personally, I stood in line for almost five hours. But hey, it's only once in 5 years.

On 30th Dec, election results were announced amidst allegations and reports of flaws in the results posted. Basically, our incumbent President, Mwai Kibaki was accused of having tampered with results. Raila Odinga says he is the rightful winner. At this point in time, I will not argue about the discrepancies of the election process, but comment on the saddening turn of events thereafter.

Well, in a word-mayhem. Acts of violence including lynching, looting, murder, arson and targeting of persons because of their political affiliation are being carried out. So far, over 200 people have been killed and 73,000 displaced from their homes. Affected areas include Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and parts of Nairobi.

These acts of violence are taking on an ethnic twist, with attacks focussing on "punishing' members of certain communities for their political stand. This is deeply disconcerting.
Kenya is multi-ethnic with the larger communities being Kikuyu, Luo and Luhya. All these communities plus the smaller communities create an incredibly dynamic society. The focus on ethnic differences as a political device is a legacy from the British colonialists, and has been perpeuated by our politicians over the years---divide and conquer.

We all know what perceived ethnic divisions lead to..destruction. The selfishness and narrow mindedness of wicked people can not be allowed to prevail. Kenya has long been held to be a bastion of peace in the region and in the continent. No ambitions of any political leader are worth the price to be paid. Citizens must remember, a leader is nothing without his followers, a prince nothing without his kingdom. We are the ones to determine where our country is headed......not the politician, who will probably jet off as soon as trouble strikes. They are not the ones being needlessly massacred..I mean burning down a church with women and children...have we gone mad? We are the tools of good or evil. Don't incite your neighbour, don't attack or steal from your neighbour...that is power. After all, how much good have our politicians done? Will they build your home when it is destroyed, feed and clothe your family when you are killed?

We must be wise. For a moment, forget about all the complaints, insinuations and comments from foreigners and Kenyans as well...calm and sanity must be restored. Forget about media reports focusing doom and gloom, and for a moment remember...we are one country, everyone else wil leave, but this is our home. We have the responsibility of sorting out our problems..peacefully and sensibly.