The situation has been diffused, for now. Well done for Desmond Tutu coming to Kenya today, even though he wasn’t invited!! He deserves all the accolades he has behind his name. Shame that the African Union leader John Kufuour was put off coming today by Kibaki, perhaps he should have insisted.
Thousands of people did turn out for the mass demonstration and the atmosphere was electric with many towns and cities in Kenya disrupted and business closed for yet another day. However, protestors were repelled by police in gaining access to Uhuru Park in the centre of town.
Following extensive talks with Desmond Tutu Raila Odinga and a show of effort to get to Uhuru Park, he has now asked that his supporters go home and wait, he has also agreed to speak with PNU leaders with the help of a mediator. Everyone is now waiting for Ks silence to be broken. On the outskirts of Nairobi people came out of their homes at 2pm to re open shops and businesses, looking visibly relieved with some hope restored of an end to this violence.
As things came to a head this morning, we were joking with our expat friends about making a dash to the Tanzanian border with as much tinned food as we can carry! Now we just need Kibaki to show his face and meet the people half way by admitting that the election was indeed flawed as the ECK chairman Kivuitu admitted. Whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
The diary of a British expat living in Kenya. News, views, debate and a healthy dose of trivia.
Keeping in touch with your blog makes me feel FORTUNATE I can move freely and go to work.
ReplyDeleteSince I was working yesterday, I missed your blog. I give you a lot of credit for maintaining it at this stressful time.
One doubt I have- throughout has police or troops been deployed to maintain peace? In media images I have not seen this. What is your thought on this?
Thanks.
Dear African Expat Wife
ReplyDeleteI'm a British journalist in Kenya to cover the poitical unrest. I've been reading your excellent blog and wondered if I could talk to you about it.
Could you call me on +44 7711 551633?
If there are any other British families in Kenya reading this, I'd also like to talk to you about your experiences.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Steve
am a kenyan married to british..we are in uk and i neil (ME other half ) saw ua blog and fowarded it to me and ever since i have been reading ua blog.Its very interesting..infact before xmas i was reading how u went to kibera and ga ve out some gifts...that was so encouraging.
ReplyDeletealso the blog about ua daughter in ngong road how u got burned in sun etc..ua blogs are very interesting...and encouraging.
i can imagine ua watchman from kibera..oh dear..i know u got a life time experiece and i hope this whole political/clashes comes to an end soon.
Dear Arica Expat Wife,
ReplyDeleteRead part of your blog in Fridays' Times. All the images and news I read in the media on Kenya is heartbreaking.
I found your blog a touch reassuring. Thank you for that.
I hope annd pray that the two leaders put aside their mega egos and sort out the deep mess they and their followers have got this once beautiful country into.
Here's to sanity, and sense.
As for Bishop Desmond Tutu, he's certainly earning his Nobel Prize twice over. God bless him and the peacemakers.