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KENYA BLOG: I hardly recognise my own country
Written by: Karambu Ringera
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When I left Nairobi for Nakuru to visit people displaced by Kenya's post-election violence, I intended to stay just two days. I arrived there on January 23. That night all hell broke loose. It was sad, scary and out of this world. I hardly recognised my country anymore. The Nakuru violence was a spill-over from clashes in other towns across the Rift Valley. Many Kikuyus, among other ethnic groups, had been evicted from their homes and their property burnt. It was believed that Kalenjins were behind some of these evictions. When fleeing Kikuyus began arriving at the camp for displaced people (IDPs) set up in Nakuru Show Ground, many of the town's Kikuyu residents felt they needed to do something. The sight of lorry after lorry of people being dropped off made them angry. But what was more devastating were the stories of burnt homes, slaughtered loved-ones, raped mothers and daughters, and destroyed property. The Kikuyus organised themselves and on the night of Wednesday the 23rd they struck at Ponda Mali, near where I was staying. In the morning, dead bodies were lying in the street. Houses had also been burnt - this time mainly Luo and Kalejin homes. By the following day, these attacks had spread to residential areas around Nakuru. A second camp was opened for displaced Luos and Kalenjins. We heard a lot of gunshot overnight. We hardly slept because we were afraid we might be attacked or the block set on fire. During a walk the next day we found at least 12 bodies - some had been eaten by dogs. Most had deep cuts - some had cuts to the head, some had slashed throats, others had limbs cut off. It was ghastly. By Saturday, Nakuru was a no-go zone. Policemen and soldiers were all over the town. A helicopter flew overhead to spot trouble. We were all advised to stay indoors. SEX FOR FOOD The women I visited at the IDP camp had many worries - their children's education, the lack of food, and where they would eventually end up since they did not want to return home. They started telling us about life at the camp. They said they had a mug of porridge in the morning, no lunch, and very little dinner. "It is meant to keep the soul alive," one old lady told me. The food was so little that even children weren't satisfied so mothers normally shared their own food. Girls were known to exchange sex for food too. There was lots of sexual activity as evidenced by the number of condoms found lying around the camp every morning - the Kenyan Red Cross medical team dishes out condoms at the camps. We were disturbed to hear about the level of rape in the camps. The women told us that at night men would scream to make people start running away in panic. Then they would chase the women and girls, catch them and rape them. So, women were being told to watch over their girls. Women were also being advised not to go to the toilets at night. During my visit I organised a discussion group. Each woman gave her story - many shared painful family issues, including wives being told to go back where they came from because they were from a different ethnic group or mothers being forced to leave with their children because the children had the blood of an unwanted ethnic group. I was also told of an elderly lady who was gang raped and then ripped open. The woman died. Before people massacre others, they dehumanise and demonise the enemy. Walking around the Ponda Mali area we came across many bodies in the streets. We heard two young people refer to one body as "IT". They did not see this as a person - he had become an object. Down the road, a woman was selling her tomatoes unbothered by a body lying nearby. I wondered at this lack of fear or respect. It was sad to witness the disgrace we have come to as a nation. We have become so removed from our humanity - we have failed to see that our humanity is inescapably intertwined with that of those whose lives we have cut short. As Mother Teresa once said: "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Part of my reason for returning to Kenya from the United States last year was to work for peace in Africa. Little did I know I would be doing this for my own beloved country.
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6 responses to “KENYA BLOG: I hardly recognise my own country”
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08 Feb 2008 15:30:19 GMT
I'm a Kenyan.Our national anthem clear states that justice will be our shield and defender.You remove justice and we become vulnerable.Vulnerable to tribal haTe,vulnerable to poverty,vulnerable to insensitive leadership.Vulnerable to genocide.
We need to remember our first love.The love that made us vote for Kibaki in 2002.The love that made us forgive Moi for his past misdeeds. Wamboi or Kamau,do you hate me just because my name starts with an O? Will you rather see me die poor in a slum than share the resources generated by our beloved country. As for me I WILL STILL LOVE YOU.I will always tell you the truth.I need you,you need me.A peaceful Kenya needs us all. Bye.I'm writing this from Sudan.The country whose CPA was midwifed by us.Consider this as you sleep.09 Feb 2008 13:20:00 GMT
karambu my sister, thank you for who you are. i prayer for you and for your work. i love you so very much. jody xxx
10 Feb 2008 11:03:25 GMT
Dear Karambu Ringera,
Kindest greetings from Canada. Thank you for telling us your story - it helps us to truly understand the gravity of the situation there. I cannot tell you how grieved I am to hear these reports. I have been following the story since the beginning of the conflict as my dear friends are stationed in Kenya as volunteers in relief work as missionairies. It was such a worry when all the unrest began as we didn't know where they were. From what I understand they are in a safer location now. I hope so. I know how beautiful Kenya is and how special your people are from what I have heard and learned. I cannot tell you how very sorry I am for what you are seeing there. How traumatic. It must be breaking your heart. Please know that my heart is breaking for you too. I'm so very sorry. And please know that many are thinking of you and praying for you and the dear people of Kenya. We pray for peace and for all to love each other again - to remember that we are all related as human beings. We are family. Life was never meant to be like this Karambu. I have learned that God sees all this and it hurts Him too. I know and believe the time will come when we will all live together in peace on this gorgeous earth. But for now this is very difficult and we must keep doing all we can to help and support each other. I wish I was there to help Karambu. I'm so sorry for what the innocent dear people are suffering there - especially those who are most vulnerable - the children, women and elderly. It's just horrible. We keep them in our heartfelt prayers. Thank you again for telling us what you are seeing there, it must have been so difficult to put it into words, but we thank you - the world must know. Please take care and stay safe. I send you a kind hug from Canada from Tia. âUntil he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace.â (Albert Schweitzer Nobel Peace Prize 1952)10 Feb 2008 11:07:36 GMT
Just a slight lie has plunked us into all these...! Why canât we all try to be straight to save our countries dignity as Kenyans? Mzee Kibaki, the respect I had for him got lost from 29th of Dec.2007. My kikuyu brothers who have been affected, isnât there anybody who can go to mzee Kibaki and tell him to step down for the sec of our beloved country's dignity? What is this big thing he did not do in the last five years that really forces him to power-greedy to an extent that he really had to force himself back to power????
18 Feb 2008 14:16:03 GMT
Selling tomatoes What could possibly be wrong? A man dead beside me and I'm writing a song? I wish I could have buried him I'm just not that strong. No fear, no respect? Is that what YOU think? I'm tired, weak and lonely With nothing to drink It would have been nice When you saw me that day To buy some tomatoes And a good dollar pay For then I could have got up and gone right to my home Bought food for my children Still "Alive" in my dome I cannot change the fact that he's dead And I was too frightened to go home to bed So I sat there beside him 'Till his spirit let go Doing what I do best And restoring my soul Gratefful for LIFE Graced with another day Hopeful that the work that I do Will reflect in some pay My husband too Disappeared you see So to feed and clothe my children Is all up to me And because this man next to me Also has died Doesn't change the fact That I must abide And take my children Hand in hand So we might together Rebuild this land The intellect is plain you see It takes a heart to be like me So next time you see me Perhaps we can share And see what head and heart together might dare It takes courage to peacefully Take a stand With kindness and love And to understand And rather than judge or see total disgrace Help me to look the real enemy in the face Help me to reach out my hand forgiving With kindness and love and real healthy living.
06 Mar 2008 12:16:11 GMT
Hi Karambu I am amazed at how involved you are in doing good works for the benefit of the community. I say, well done girl! Keep it up and may the almighty continue to give you strength and a burning desire to keep going.
It's unbelievable the devastation that our beloved Kenya has had to suffer, but thank God, things seem to be getting back to normal. Kenyan Christians, I am sure have humbled themselves and prayed endless prayers, and true to His promise, God will heal the land. Indeed the healing process has began. I was not able to follow your political activities very well, but I am aware of the outcome, and I believe this is not the end, but just the beginning of your journey into parliament to represent your constituents and Kenyans in general. I want you to know I am very proud of you. Will try and call you if you still have the same number. If you have changed, please let me have the current. Take care and God bless you. Jimi Kaju