Apologies for not writing many posts lately – my computer (and phone) suddenly conspired not to give me access to the internet, so the former is currently in the hands of an expert. I try to snatch my husband’s laptop when he brings it home from work and we usually have a little tussle over it.
Re: Dialogue in Kenya – it is ongoing and we are waiting impatiently for an agreement to be reached.
Kofi Annan visited worst hit areas of Kenya today visiting those displaced in Eldoret, flying over Molo district and lastly Nakuru, which has been experiencing a wave of violence over the last 24 hours, with many more people dead. He expressed 'shock at the extent of the destruction' and (to quote the BBC News online) said: ‘Conflict may have been triggered by the disputed elections but has turned into ‘something else’.’
There are reports of pockets of violence in Naivasha today. All this in spite of the fact that we saw Kibaki and Raila Odinga shaking hands on television on Thursday evening as they expressed their intention to find peace for Kenya soon and a lasting resolution to the crisis.
It seems that the beast that has now been irrecoverably unleashed is now firmly out of control. Still, unbelievably, more thousands of Kenyans are leaving their homes due to the ongoing violence. The numbers of those displaced are causing chaos for the aid organisations.
3 comments:
On behalf of a number of people here in the U.S., many of them former residents of Kenya, I can't express our thanks enough for your tremendous efforts to inform people about everyday life in Kenya, especially in the midst of so much violence and turmoil. We learned of your blog through a friend familiar with the "Times of London". With the notable exception of the "Los Angeles Times" and, on occasion, the "New York Times", your reflections give us the kind of perspective so lacking in mainstream American media.
And, as a former U.S. resident of Nairobi who is well-familiar with the quirks of expatriate life in Kenya, reading your blog is like receiving a letter from a good friend who writes from a place that remains dear in thought and memory.
Please keep it up. You have our heartfelt gratitude. And, our best wishes at this difficult time.
Also I have no blog or google account so please forgive my posting as "anonymous" as this seems to be the only other choice offered to me.
Hey! Have been reading your blog since I first came across it in the Times. I still have family there so let's all hope that common sense prevails. Have you seen an "open" email addressed to Kivuitu - the head of the Electoral Commission signed by a Shailja Patel? Is there an email address that I could forward it to?
Thanks so much for reading and I really, really appreciate your lovely comments! On one hand our 'expat housewives' routine of school runs and shopping has resumed but now with a giant shadow hanging over it all. I only wish I could post some good news....
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