We are sure by now that many of you have heard on the radio, read in the newspaper, or seen on TV the events that have been taking place in Kenya. We have all been in shock by what has happened. We do not know what the media is portraying in the U.S., but can only share with you the facts from what we have seen with our own eyes and experienced in our own lives.
When the unrest in the country began (Saturday, 29th Dec), for one week our electricity went off every evening at 7:00 pm and came on at 8:00 am the following morning. The usual sound of the train passing by on the nearby railway was silent for one week. Even the main roads were silent of vehicles and the many trucks that carry goods along the TransAfrica highway from Mombasa to Uganda and beyond; however, noisy with protestors and crowded with roadblocks.
In a stretch of five miles, a friend said he had to pass about 30 roadblocks, convincing the people who were manning them to let him pass peacefully. Most of us in the community did not travel outside of our village for one week.
Businesses, shops, petrol stations, etc were shut down as a result of the unrest. Some shops and homes were burnt in our nearby "town" of Kipkaren (3 miles from our home) and many of them looted.
I have yet to travel to Kipkaren to see with my own eyes, but David has. The shop where we usually buy bread in Kipkaren was one of the first ones to be burnt down. Throughout the week of hearing stories and listening to the radio, for the most part we felt safe in the village.
David, who is a respected leader in the community, mobilized the internal security in the village and the men were ready at all times to defend their families, homes, and community in case of anything. There were so many rumors being spread that we did not know who or what to believe. Through it all, we continued to trust God for peace and His protection.
Monday, January 7th, was the first time in two weeks that we ventured out of the village and went to Eldoret. Our hearts were heavy with sadness as we drove along the road and saw with our own eyes what we had been hearing on the radio and from people who called on the phone to share of their experiences.
We saw the remnants of many roadblocks and fires that had been started on the roads to block people passing. In the next town from Kipkaren, Turbo (about 10 miles from our home), was the most shocking site. AMPATH, the organization we partner with for treatment of HIV/AIDS, is located in Turbo, thus we travel there frequently. Approximately half of the shops in the town had been burnt and most others had been looted of all their goods and their doors were locked shut. There were only about 3 shops that were open when we drove through. A small town that is normally bustling with people and business was uncharacteristically quiet.
The petrol station, where they know us by name because we always go there to fill our tanks, was also completely burnt. David met the Councilor (government leader) of the Turbo area who shared his uncertainty about the economy of the town now after all the destruction.
Traveling further towards Eldoret, along the way scattered homes and shops were burnt and looted. In one area, about 20 vehicles had been completely charred. We saw some people walking with all their belongings to Eldoret in search of safety and refuge.
Once we arrived to Eldoret town though, it felt the same as the last time we had been in town, which was Christmas Eve. Small traffic jams, people walking along the streets, businesses and shops opened. We went to our normal supermarket and bought our normal groceries. In the market, however, the prices of fruits and vegetables had drastically increased; and the man we usually buy from was not there as he traveled to Nairobi to seek safety.
At the Eldoret police station and the nearby large Cathedral, thousands of people had gathered, carrying what belongings they were able to, now displaced in their own country. Thousands of internally displaced Kenyans in Eldoret had already been transported the previous day by buses and lorries (trucks) under heavy security to a sports stadium in Nakuru (about 120 miles southeast of Eldoret). More are continuing to be transported.
As of today, the reports say that over 600 people have lost their lives, 250,000 people have been displaced from their homes in various parts throughout the country, and property worth millions of dollars has been looted or burnt.
Though the political situation in Kenya is still uncertain, life continues in our village of Chebaiywa. ELI in Kipkaren officially opened the year 2008 with our normal Monday morning staff meeting on 7th January with a time of prayer for our nation and motivation for the year ahead from David. Our Tumaini na Afya team met to chart the way forward for ministry in 2008. This morning, our vehicle was full as our team traveled with many of our clients to the AMPATH clinic in Turbo for vital HIV/AIDS treatment.
Yesterday, 10th January, was the first time in about 10 days that we have been able to connect to the Internet. We appreciate all the emails you have sent sharing your prayers and words of encouragement for our country and our people. We are all shocked and saddened by what is happening and are continually praying for a peaceful solution. I know that for David and I, our family and our community, we have a new and greater understanding of the value of peace in a nation.
We have been praying day and night for God to restore peace to our country of Kenya. There is a spiritual battle taking place in a realm that we cannot see, but we can sure feel. We invite you to fight with us in prayer as we pray for the following:
- Peace, love, and unity to cover our land.
- The leaders of the two main political parties, Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), to humble themselves, lay down their pride, and agree to talk. The latest report is that the leader of the ODM party is calling for a return to nationwide mass action through street protests since the negotiations failed with President Kufuor of Ghana. The word is that Kofi Annan is coming to lead negotiations. Pray for the success of these talks.
- A resolution to the current political dispute that will be just and the best solution for the people of Kenya.
- All leaders in the country to be wise with their words and actions and to look to God for guidance.
- Peace as the Parliament, which is largely divided, is set to open on Tuesday, 15th January.
- The Church of Kenya to stand united—fighting for justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
- Much needed healing and reconciliation within communities. Only God can break down the divides between tribes.
- Safety and provision for the thousands of families who have been displaced from their homes as they seek refuge until the government decides what to do next. Major relief is needed in the forms of food, medications, blankets, etc.
- Comfort for those who are grieving over the loss of their loved ones and their livelihoods.
- Peaceful and successful opening of schools on 15th January (schools were supposed to open on 7th but the date was postponed due to unrest in the country). Pray for the safety of children as they return to school. In addition, pray for the thousands of displaced children who will not be able to return to school.
- Continued safety of our 187 children in the Children's Homes in Kipkaren and Ilula.
- Continued safety of our staff who will be traveling to the Training Centres as well as their families.
- For those who are HIV+ and displaced, pray that they will be able to continue with their much needed anti-retroviral drugs, that drug resistance will not develop, and that they will be able to get proper nutrition.
Thank you for standing with us and our nation in prayer as we journey through this difficult season. ELI has created an emergency fund to address all of the current needs that have surfaced because of the crisis. If you or anyone you know would like to give towards this fund, they can mail a check to our office (PO Box 67 Upland, CA 91785) and earmark it for the “Kenya Emergency Fund.”
Blessings,
David and Allison
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