Elections in Kenya

Please note: a new blog post for updates has been started since this one has grown too long. The new post can be found here.


Update (Jan. 3, 12:30 PM Central time USA): The protest expected today was blocked from taking place in the city center, so instead many of the protesters were left stuck in Kibera, angry to begin with and even more furious they were not allowed to voice their grievances as planned.

So the mob has turned back on Kibera, and has spent the day burning down more of the slums. The huge AIC church across the railroad tracks was burned today, as was the house of student Moses Mirigi and likely many more student's homes. Mama Margaret tells me that her house and Tenderfeet school have so far not been burned, but it may just be a matter of time. She will attempt to evacuate the items tomorrow by hiring a security team and a truck. You can see a map of this area here (switch to satellite view).

Frank was attacked as he attempted to assist those in danger, but is not badly hurt. Margaret's husband Daniel has not slept the past 5 nights as he has joined neighbors trying to protect the community. She says he is able to sometimes get a few hours of sleep during the day.

In Eldoret, Nick will spend another night outside of the police station, and has been approached by many in the community who have received assistance. Most have not had a meal in days. Lucy's father will attempt to send Lucy, her sister Shiro, and their mother to a safer location tomorrow while he remains behind.

Wire transfers will be sent this afternoon to hopefully be picked up tomorrow in Eldoret and Nairobi. Thank you to those who have responded with donations. 100% of money received will be feeding hungry children and victims of the riots as soon as tomorrow. If you would like to help, please visit this page.

Update (Jan. 2, 11:30 PM Central time USA): It's morning in Kenya, and in general the country seems to be settling down. However, Raila Odinga is attempting to mount a massive demonstration in Nairobi today to protest the election and declare himself the true winner. The Kibaki government has promised to block roads and prevent the protest, so it will be a volatile situation in Nairobi. Most who are not strong Raila supporters are planning to stay indoors and avoid trouble.

I spoke briefly with Margaret, Nick, Nick's wife Mary, and Lucy's father David. All are safe and OK, though food shortages are becoming more and more of a concern. Soon it could become critical. The need for security has meant all transportation is being severely limited, which has caused the shipment of food and other supplies to be greatly hindered.

Our prayers are that today will be peaceful and life can return to normal in Kenya.

Update (Jan. 2, 12:30 PM Central time USA): It's 9:30 PM in Kenya, and Nick will stay outside the police station overnight, along with a large crowd that are there for safety. He is extremely relieved. He believes the situation in Eldoret may be stabilizing, though tensions are still high.

Nick reports that Agripina and her family are safe at the College. Nick's wife and children are remaining for the time being in Nairobi where they are doing well in a secure part of town.

Mama Margaret has withdrawn some emergency funds and bought enough food and supplies for those in Kibera she knows that are suffering, such as Teacher Karen, Frank, and some of the families of students. Kibera is in terrible shape after the fires and looting, but things have settled down at the present time. Margaret still doesn't feel safe in Kibera, so she continues to spend the nights in nearby Dagoretti at her sister's house.

There is a planned large demonstration for the challenger in Nairobi tomorrow that could cause another outbreak of violence. Please pray that the current relative peace in Nairobi will continue despite whatever demonstrations take place.

Update (Jan. 1, 11:30 PM Central time USA): I just spoke with Nick. David has escorted him safely out of Munyaka, which was the hard part since he had to make it through a potentially hostile population.

He was then able to walk in to Eldoret and is now safe at last.

Nick has tried to contact Agripina Angote who is part of the SCF team but has not gotten through. He believes she may be staying at the Missionary College right now for safety.

Margaret says that in Kibera, the Luo agitators have agreed to stop causing problems, but the damage is extensive. Overall, life is returning to normal in Nairobi though tensions are still high. She will go to the bank today and withdraw the current balance to give emergency assistance to some she knows in desperate situations. The monthly wire transfer should be sent later in the week with additional funds for relief and school operations. It's possible the school will resume in the next few weeks.

Update (Jan. 1, 11:30 AM Central time USA): Mama Margaret reports that conditions in Nairobi have improved significantly, though she is choosing to stay in Dagoretti a while longer before returning to Kibera. Frank, Teachers Karen and Elizabeth, and others in the Tenderfeet family are all OK.

The price of groceries have shot up, for instance a small container of milk went from 20 to 50 shillings in the last week. Frank's house was looted, but friends were able to move some items out before the looters arrived.

The situation Eldoret has gotten worse in many respects. The most horrible incident involved a church filled with Kikuyu's taking refuge that was burned, with as many as 30 or more (including women and children) being killed. The story is here.

Nick remains in his house, though he now has some food and there are police and military patrols to control looting and violence in Munyaka. Jennifer is currently safe in nearby Hawaii (a Nandi community), but tells me that some Nandi thugs were hunting for Kikuyu in the area. Since she is Nandi, she was left alone. I also spoke with Sven Hofmann, the German social worker visiting for 5 months. He is in the town of Eldoret and is safe in his compound, but says it is too dangerous to leave his room.

Everyone's fear is that the church episode will spark a new round of reprisals and violence, especially in Eldoret.

Update (Jan. 1, 12:30 AM Central time USA): The situation seems to be improving in Nairobi and perhaps Eldoret as well. Margaret reports that there has been no recent looting or violence in the Kibera area (she is still in Dagoretti, but her husband Daniel is informing her of the conditions in Kibera). Margaret's house and the school are still intact and everyone is doing well, hoping for some normalcy to return to Nairobi.

Things are more difficult for Nick, who has been hiding in a crawlspace above his ceiling since yesterday. 5 potentially dangerous men came in at one point and were occupying his house for several hours, eating his food. He is quite scared for his safety, but Lucy's father David (who is on the security council for the Kikuyu slum of Munyaka) has just stopped by (at 8:30 AM Kenya time) and told Nick that he should stay put for now. David said it's not a good idea for a Nandi to be in the currently hostile streets of Munyaka.

As long as Nick stays in his house, no one should disturb him at this point, according to David. The only people going house to house are the security team. And if anyone should come in to harm Nick, Nick can contact David who will be closeby to intervene.

Update (Dec. 31, 9:00 AM Central time USA): Looting, violence, and arson have continued but everyone mentioned in the updates below is safe. Tribal killings have continued, and in places like Munyaka and Silas, the women and children are staying in church compounds for safety. Nick will try to make it into Eldoret tomorrow because he feels it is dangerous for him to stay in Munyaka. Margaret will remain in Dagoretti for the next few days to wait and see what happens.

Read more here.

Now the additional problem of having enough to eat is becoming a real concern. So many shops have been looted and burned that it will be difficult to buy food even if things settle down.

Please continue to keep in your prayers our friends in Kenya and the millions of innocent people who are suffering because of a violent few. I asked Jennifer and Margaret if they have ever witnessed anything in Kenya like this in their lifetimes (both are in their forties), and they both said nothing compares to this.

Update (Dec. 30, 11:30 PM Central time USA): It was a terrible night in Kenya as rioting continued throughout cities across the country, including Kibera and Eldoret. Houses and shops were burned throughout Sunday afternoon and night. Tribal violence has continued to escalate. Read more here.

In Kibera, thugs from the Luo tribe were targeting Kikuyu businesses and residents, who are in the minority and seen as the enemy. Mama Margaret (who is Kikuyu) and her family stayed with a Luo neighbor who kept them safe through the night.

Monday morning (Kenya time), Margaret set off on foot for her sister's place an hour away in Dagoretti (where it is calmer), and I spoke with her when she arrived safely. She feels it is no longer safe for her in Kibera. Her husband Daniel (a member of the Kisi tribe) and Shadrack (a Luo) will be able to remain safely in Kibera for the time being. The school and Margaret's house have not been burned or looted at this time. Frank Atieli is OK.

Nick is remaining in his house because he is in a community of Kikuyu now hostile towards his tribe (Nandi). Lucy's father David (a Kikuyu) is part of the community security force and is keeping Nick safe and informed. Nick's wife and children are safe in a peaceful part of Nairobi. Jennifer Cheserek is also OK.

Update (Dec. 30, 9:00 AM Central time USA): The news from Kenya is that everybody is OK right now, but the results have just been announced that the current president has won the election. This has caused supporters of the challenger to lash out and tensions are higher than ever. Please pray for Mama Margaret and her family in Kibera, where many of the problems have been taking place.

Update (Dec. 29, 11:00 PM Central time USA): I just spoke with Margaret's husband Daniel as well as Nick (Sunday morning in Kenya). Although the problems with looting and violence have continued, Margaret, Nick and their families are still safe. Everyone is awaiting the results of the election. The results are possibly going to be announced on Sunday.

A presidential election took place this past Thursday, December 27. It's been a close race that splits the country along tribal lines. As of 5:00 PM Saturday (Kenya time), the election is still too close to call and the delays have escalated tensions. Please read more here.

The two Lahash projects in Kenya, Tenderfeet Education Center (in Kibera) and Silas Christian Foundation (in Eldoret) are unfortunately located in trouble hotspots.

I've called Mama Margaret, Nick Kemboi and several other friends in these areas and they are OK. Nevertheless, they report there is looting, arson, violence, tribal clashes, and chaos. Margaret and Nick are both locked in their compounds behind iron doors waiting for things to hopefully settle down.

The tribes that are involved are the Kikuyu tribe (supporting the current president) and the Nandi and Luo tribes (supporting the challenger). It just so happens that Margaret is a Kikuyu surrounded by Luos and Nick is a Nandi surrounded by Kikuyus (a small community of Kikuyu who are surrounded by a larger community of Nandi!). So both project leaders are in a delicate situation, though both are well-known and respected in their communities.

Please pray for our friends in Kenya and the nation as a whole that the results will be announced soon and will be accepted by everyone.