I’m writing this late Sunday night. I’m exhausted. If I though liveblogging the elections and the aftermath was exhausting, rehashing what is going on in Kenya in every conversation is getting to me. But as a Kenyan there is nothing else to talk about is there? And I’m one of the lucky ones who has the luxury of talking about things and not living in actual terror.
God, the implications of “this thing” are so big. Beyond the loss of lives, the loss of political gains and everything else that has been talked about so far. There is the loss of tourism (it was just getting back more than ten years after Likoni), loss of investor confidence, loss of the rebranding war which is already difficult enough to win, possible loss of the UN, I could go on and on…and we keep wondering – can the egg be unscrambled?
Today we were talking about friends who moved back to Kenya from the diaspora and were so optimistic, we were wondering whether to begin to mourn about the loss of our “next plan”, we were wondering where our children would fit in in this Kenya that is being defined for us, we were dreading going back to work to tomorrow after many of us had spent the last year lobbying hard for substantial investments in Kenya (I’m seriously not looking forward to dealing with “what the hell happened” questions tomorrow).
OK enough of that.
Thank you to everyone who has submitted diaries, please keep them coming.
News from Kenya today (apart from what’s being reported in the media) – general consensus is that things are calm and almost “normal.” Though keep in mind that in Nairobi to the privileged that means that guys were able to go the banks, get groceries, run errands, move around etc. Both Raila and Kibaki still seem unmovable as far as actually resolving the issue. Everyone says things will “explode on Tuesday” that’s when the next ODM rally is scheduled. Getting reports of reprisal attacks being planned in the Uasin Gishu/Turbo area. In most slums focus is on getting food, especially in Kibera, which has been cut off for days. Still no trucks on the road though oil pipeline and storage tanks said to be full.
– Where are the freaking 210 MPs who were recently elected – shouldn’t they be at minimum issuing statements addressed to their constituents urging peace? Or at least trying to address the humanitarian crisis?
I’ve attended or spoken at conferences where the question of “should we be focusing on technology in Africa when there is no electricity/hospitals/teachers etc.” comes up – I hope the role that e-commerce and technology (mobile, internet, blogs) have played throughout this crisis will answer that question for once and for all – checkout this piece about Mama Mikes and the demand for phone credit. I hope this is a story that gets much more attention.
The google mashup idea is cooking. Thank you to everyone who is contributing.
More ways to help:
– To assist institutions that are dealing with the rape crisis click here.
Ory,
I am glad to learn that you safely back to SA. I feel terrible for the poor who are being shown on CNN and BBC every hour living in squalor. But I read this morning that food shipments have left Mombasa and will be arriving this week in the troubled areas. I also read this article below where the elite Kikuyu businessmen are now starting to wonder whether Kibaki’s idea of sticking to stolen power is really helping or hurting the economy. People like Jimnah Mbaru of NSE are starting to feel the heat
http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,2235778,00.html#article_continue
Next year I have the opportunity to trade in my Kenyan passport for a US passport- and even though it is SAD but TRUE… I will be taking the US passport.
I really think the problem in Kenya is a generational one. The railas/kibakis (and to some extent Kalonzo) are of that old colonial/tribal/gotta-get me some school out thought that is dragging us down. People want to get into leadership positions in order to push personal economic mandates and those of their cronies, as much as possible. As soon as you get elected, you get in ‘like an all-you-can-eat buffet’ and LOOT!
I think the younger people might be driven more by the passion of getting our country’s act together.
Granted Bush and Cheney are in for the money too, but at least it does not hit me as directly/and as quickly as it would if I was in Kenya. I know it is selfish, but I appreciate knowing that if I work really really hard, it does not matter that I am kikuyu or luo or whatever other tribal glass ceiling there is.
In the meantime- …I am still VERY PROUD to be kenya. Heck, I am even living my American Dream selling food and drink in my successful KENYAN COFFEE SHOP.
keep up the good work. blogging and striving to keep the masses updated is no easy feat. the impact of your blogging especially during this troubled times in Kenya has had far reaching effects, and defied the intrusion of free press.
Ory:
I am glad you’re in Johannesburg safe and sound. Thank you for all that you did during the election and its unfortunate aftermath.
At the risk of sounding cavalier, which is certainly not my intent, I don’t think we should overestimate the long-term effects of the fracas of this week. Our collective memory as humans to sporadic incidents of this nature is surprisingly very short. Investors and tourists are flocking to the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand and they have each had “situations” in recent years.
However there will definitely be challenges in the short term. I have already received an email from an investor I was in deep discussions with asking that we put off our project. But as long as the opportunities exist we will attract investment dollars.
This event will have some implications on our economy in the short term, we will recover well and I feel confident that we will resume our healthy growth rate relatively soon. What bothers me the most is the understandable reluctance our own citizens will have to investing outside their “home” areas.
Every country has riots from time to time. These events are, as Jefferson said, the “natural manure” of the “tree of liberty.” However, unlike 30 years ago with the Mboya assassination riots that ultimately resulted in our becoming a de-facto one party state, we need to move ourselves towards more openness.
Your report on possible reprisals in Turbo does not surprise me. One lesson to learn from the 1969 and 1992 ethnic problems is that the Gikuyu, who bore the brunt of the initial riots as on this occasion, did engage in reprisals. In 1969 it was through oaths and 1992 was the genesis of this Mungiki menace, so we need to be vigilant.
Those who have moved back to Kenya should be optimistic. Remember we are not passive participants in our society. We can contribute and mould it into what we want for ourselves and for our children. I am still very bullish on Kenya, and not a single cell in my body makes me think we should give up on it. In fact I am betting on it.
Cheers
-Silaha
“The role of e-commerce and technology” in this fracas? Was the question meant in earnest?
If so, be assured that Kenya needs no Radio Mille Collines when many blogs and web fora gladly took up the same role.
Innate mshenziness of the individual communicator is only multiplied by modern means of communication
Osas
Hi,
I don’t have words to say anything at all. I’m exhausted like you and I’m OUT of the coutnry and not Kenyan. I’ve lived in Kenya since 2000 but I’m one of the privileged expats so my voice means little right now as my heart TEARS for the children and widows and AIDS sufferers I know and love. I’m not going to go on here about me. This isn’t about me. I’m just sending you a link to a photo-montage I put together last night of the differeng clippings on the internet. I’m so sad that my American countrymen know so little about what’s going on. But this isn’t for them. Then again – how will the average Kenyan even get a chance to see a video online? Thus the problem of technology. I have lived and worked in Western since 2000 and everyone in our sphere has received emergency aid, food and is safe. But that is not enough to heal Kenya. I’ve attached the photo credits on the page of the video because of course – — these are not my credits and these photojournalits risked their lives to tell this story in an effort to garner world support toward peace. Please – if you re-load this anywhere (youtube, wherever) please credit the photographers. You don’t need to mention my name. This isn’t about me and I wouldn’t want to give that impression. This is a message – a visual message to Kenyans – or those around the world who can help and pray —- to save Kenya Now. My heart is broken. And I feel so helpless right now. Here is the link:
http://intersection.ning.com/video/video/show?id=1648362%3AVideo%3A1644
Can anyone confirm whether there have been 200 retaliatory attacks from Mungiki? God save Kenya
Ps, you don’t even have to post my comment if you don’t want. But I think the photos can help us all if you somehow re-load the video somewhere or link it (just credit the photographers) – to know and remember what has been lost. How unique and beautiful Kenya is. And how much their is at stake for a nation that so many of us love so dearly.
if it doesn’t load the first time – try refreshing it.
Due to frustration we have installed a blog for Kenyans living in the German diaspora – “Kenyamany”.
Please spread the news: http://www.jikozungu.com/kenyamany
Take action – we are many.
Here is a link to a photo I put up today. It is a photo of 3 children I know and love. We all live in Western together. One is Luo. One Kikuyu. One Luyah. The photo was taken last month. You don’t have to publish this comment, but I can’t find a “contact” link for you so this is the only way I know how to get it to you. If you want to download the photo and reprint it — I think it is a good reminder of the Kenya we all want peace for. You don’t need to cite my name with it. As an expat, I feel way too much like a privileged outsider. Even having lived in Kenya 7 years. It is an honor. But I can’t say I know all that much. Other than — Kenya deserves peace.
http://www.heatheronthenet.com/heather/Entries/2008/1/4_unity.html
In a short five years, we went from a vision of working nation to a reality of a warring nation. In my darkest nightmares, I never saw my beloved country being mentioned in the same breadth as Rwanda and Darfur. Fairly recently, I encountered the term IDP-Internally Displaced People, only the subjects were Darfuris not Kenyans. But, I will say a prayer for the departed ones, whose only crime is that they belonged to the “wrong” tribe, depending on where they were lived. My heart goes out to the weak ones – our sisters, mothers, daughters and children who historically have had to endure alot even when there is “‘peace.”
Kenyans, we are a beautiful people. As a collective, we are more important than any single Kenyan.
We will rise, we will strive, we will thrive!!
We will rise, we will strive, we will thrive!!
We will rise, we will strive, we will thrive!!
God Bless Jamhuri.
http://www.avaaz.org
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