Kenya has gone mad this evening. Mad with fury over the apparent cooking of election results by the ECK (Electoral Committee of Kenya) in the country's presidential race. After the huge pride shown in having cast votes in a democratic process, the rumours of fiddling results is a sad disappointment and a slap in the face for many who hoped for change.
The EU and British have stated that they are 'not convinced' that the election results were fairly calculated. As soon as this was announced, mayhem broke out with rioting and violence country wide, especially centred in poorer towns and slum areas. We were poised to hear details of the chaos having been glued to the TV all day, when all the news channels simultaneously took a commercial break. After half an hour it was further announced that no live broadcasts were henceforward allowed by order of the minister of internal security, John Michuki - who was concerned about the incitement of further voilence.
During the drawn out election tallying process and the shenanegans reported in the press, we wondered where Mwai Kibaki was hiding out as he never once showed his face - only to find that as soon as his narrow victory was announced by the ECK chairman this evening, than the re elected president was magically poised in State House for a speedy inauguration ceremony staged within less then two hours of his tentative victory, accompanied by a few honoured invited guests. Curiouser and curiouser
Lucky we all went crazy stocking up on food this morning for a seige. My friends with access to BBC and Sky news (we have a satellite software problem at the moment) say that Raila Odinga plans to stage his own rival inauguration ceremony tomorrow to celebrate the victory that has been robbed from him. I predict that this won't help matters to settle down.
As we turn in for the night, we can hear the booms, shouts and shots carried on the wind from the direction of town and Kibera slum. God knows what a scene we will wake up to tomorrow.
The diary of a British expat living in Kenya. News, views, debate and a healthy dose of trivia.
Thank you so much for finding time to keep up your blog. It is fascinating to be getting all this info from an "inside" source.
ReplyDeleteI pray you and your family will stay safe.
I wish you luck... out from here in the States. Stay safe... a state of emergency is coming. If you can get out, please do.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info about the elections. I have been following them for some time. I just came across your blog and have enjoyed reading it. You'll see my comments on your Kibera post about me.
ReplyDeleteAgain, it is amazing how important an orderly society is for people to function.
My question, do you think it will settled down soon? I will be in Kenya (May 08) and doing some work in the slums and up by Kisumu. I'm hoping we will not need to change our plans.
Be safe!,
Mark
Hi Africa Expat Wife,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update about the Kenyan elections. I have read your blogposts with interest.
Can you please contact me?
Thanks
Andrea
contactus at expatwomen dot com
Hope things get sorted out quickly and peacefully there. Stay safe and let the children eat lots of sweets - that always helps in times like this!
ReplyDeleteHi I am a Kenyan housewife in the UK and I feel I can relate to your experiences. I came aross your Blog just before the elections (really liked the photos posted) and went back today to see what you had oh it. I was not surprised to see how much more you had on it. Just like you I feel for the situation and am hoping for peace in whatever form it comes.
ReplyDelete