Leaving Kenya During Elections

 

February 25^th, 2013 It is Monday morning and we are on our way to Mitume for our scheduled morning class. Mitume is one of the slum areas outside of Kitale.  The dust from the road rolls in around us and so does the smoke from the smoldering fires along the way. 

 

Little ones start gathering at the church when they see the white skin. J  We are a novelty in this area and just perhaps the chance for a piece of candy!  Charles is sent to one of the nearby stands and yes he returns with sweets for the little ones!

 

Many in this class are older and the thought of having a pair of reading glasses was only a dream until today!  There were immediate jumps of joy, hand claps of praise and big, big smiles. We saw such an improvement in the class as now they could see so much better.  Note taking increased and they were eager to read Bible verses out loud.  Many thanks to everyone who helped supply reading glasses to those in need.

February 26^th, 2013 Tuesday we traveled into Shimo another slum area on the outskirts of Kitale. Young mothers came with their babies and small children played during the class. It is getting close to Election Day and political groups are gathering for rallies even here in Shimo.  Next week the class is canceled as the election and the possibility of violence will keep everyone closed within their homes.  Businesses will shut down and children will be sent home from school for a couple of weeks.  The streets will be empty.  Now the streets are full of vehicles with loud speakers tied to the top of them.  They ride up and down the streets with their volume full blast. 

Political posters cover their vehicle and crowds will follow yelling and waving branches behind them.  People run from everywhere, some not even knowing why, and a crowd seems to appear out of nowhere.  Posters cover the trunks of trees, the sides of buildings, and seem to multiply without notice. 

This week we announced to the classes that we have been advised to leave the country during the time of election but would return and continue on. There was absolutely no signs of shock or disbelief only agreement that we should go.  Everyone here knows the severity of the days ahead. A prayer of safety was said for them and for us before we parted. Here in Kitale we have a man that is running for vice president of Kenya and many supporters have gathered close by.

 February 27^th, 2013 Bags are packed and it is out the door at 4:30 am.  Today we are traveling by road for almost two hours to the airport in Eldoret. Traveling is a bit slower than usual because of the darkness and big pot holes along the way.   We come upon one area where spikes cover the road. We have no choice but to stop and the police gather around our vehicle and question our driver.  Soon we are permitted to continue on our way. 

From Eldoret we will fly to Nairobi International Airport. The view from the plane is beautiful and the day is bright.  The American Embassy is doing a great job keeping us informed of hot spots, rallies, potential traffic jams and how to prepare for the days ahead.  They tell us the risk level is “high” but they don’t feel the Americans are necessarily targets.  It is a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  They are advising any that stay in Kenya to have a “go back” ready, a shelter plan, and food and necessities stocked ahead.  There could be days where traveling out would be too risky.  There could also be a period of time that delivery trucks would not be able to make it through some of the roads.  I’ll soon be in Rwanda.

 

February 28, 2013 I’m at the missionary compound in Nairobi and staying put until my plane leaves on Saturday morning.  I have visitors from the slums and the pastor has informed me of the chaos and trouble that is developing in Kawangware slums.  The different tribes are forming together and grouping, people and running here and there.  Some slum areas have already seen violence with the burning down of homes and some have been killed.  Children have been dismissed from the boarding schools and parents are trying to get them home before trouble erupts.

March 1, 2013 Kenyans went through so much violence after the last election that they know how real the potential for trouble is.  Many people have decided to lock themselves inside their homes until they are sure that peace prevails.  The postelection violence of 2007 -2008 lasted a couple months and left over 1200 people dead and 600,000 homeless, many of them still reside in IDP camps.  Roadways were not passable, cars where set on fire, women were raped, places were looted, dozens of people were burnt alive while seeking refuge in a church, people were beheaded, food was not brought into the cities, stores did not open, and work as usual did not exist.  The pastor sits and tells me of his concern for his people.  “They will go without food!”  For my safety I need to stay away from the slum area but Japheth has agreed to do some shopping for me.  Food will be stored in the pastor’s home and passed out to those in great need during this time.

 

Psalm 3:1-6   Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, God will not deliver him.  But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.  I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.