Civil Unrest in Kenya

April 28, 2008

Kenya's government has finally stabilized after the disputed election of Dec. 27, 2007, that plunged the country into violence and chaos. President Kibaki and Prime Minister Odinga are sharing the reins of power; both are touring the areas that experienced the most destruction. About 140,000 people are still living in refugee camps. Many of them are farmers, so the upcoming harvest may be small. Rising fuel and fertilizer costs, coupled with the displaced farmers, could lead to nationwide food shortages. Rising food costs have already led to a 20% inflation rate in the last few months.

This is a time for the Church to reflect the love of Christ to the people of Kenya. Many of the churches in Maasailand are preparing to offer Community Health Evangelism (CHE) training in the near future. CHE will encourage the people of Kenya to minister to one another using the available resources God has given them.

Please pray for Kenya's economy, and that God will bring a bountiful harvest to the farms of Kenya in spite of all the disruptions. Pray that the CHE program will lead to even greater witness of the love of Christ in the Maasai communities.

April 8, 2008

As Kenya settles into a new “normal,” how can you help? Please read this letter about the opportunity CMF has to help people take control of their communities and meet their own needs.

We also recommend the current article on the web from Christianity Today magazine concerning the Christian’s long-term response to Kenya’s crisis.

March 24, 2008

Please continue to pray for Kenya's recovery. Calm prevails, but there is still a long way to go, as there is much damage in Western Kenya from the violence. The economy has a long upward climb to return to where it was. The tourism industry (Kenya's #1 industry) has suffered greatly. A CMF missionary was recently in the Mara to make arrangements for a visiting group later this year. Staying at a camp, he found he was the only visitor; everyone else were employees. Peace is fragile as major issues in setting up the new power-sharing government in Parliament continues, land ownership issues are yet to be defined, reconciliation and relocation of thousands of displaced people seems overwhelming. But you know, God CAN soften hearts towards true reconciliation and peace in Kenya.

Thank God For:
* Resolution between Mwai Kibaki (PNU party) and Raila Odinga (ODM) to the post election crisis in Kenya. Pray that the power-sharing agreement is worked out in laws and changes in the country and that Parliament can implement the changes in a peaceful and upright way.

Pray For:
* There are still many Internally Displaced Persons (IDP's) in Kenya. Pray for them as they decide where to resettle and reestablish their lives.
* Due to post election violence, reports indicate inflation in Kenya is as high as 19%. This is affecting all Kenyans, greatly increasing prices on basic necessities such as food and fuel. It is affecting the missionaries as well. The CMF teams need wisdom as they continue to support their own families, to assist their employees, IDP's, fund ongoing ministry projects, and development projects. The cost of nearly everything has gone up tremendously in a very short time.

March 10, 2008

People in Nairobi, Kenya are beginning to say “Happy New Year” finally. After the signing of a power sharing deal on February 28 between the country’s key political players, ending two months of post-election violence, our focus has been on resettlement, locating sponsored kids, peace initiatives, and restarting people’s small businesses. Most of the displaced people are in Kibera and Mathare the country’s largest informal settlements (or slums).

March 3, 2008

The two political opponents in Kenya signed a power sharing agreement on February 28.  Kenyans were dancing in the streets as a result.  This was a necessary step toward normalizing Kenyan society after the violence of January. Our hope and prayer is that the agreement will last long enough for civic life to resume, for people to begin rebuilding their lives, and for some of the fear to dissipate.  Coalitions come and go in Kenya, and power rests in individual personalities rather than in parties. Please pray that Kibaki (Kenya's president) and Odinga (Kenya's prime minister-designate) will hold the coalition together long enough to let Kenya heal.

February 21, 2008

Monday's arrival of US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Nairobi was the major topic of discussion and her comments still echo in the media. After talking with Mr. Kofi Annan, President Kibaki, and Mr. Raila Odinga each separately, Rice urged both sides, PNU (the government) and ODM (the opposition party), to quickly strike an agreement on a coalition and real power sharing, not just an illusion. Crucial talks between the parties concerning the Prime Minister's role continue with Mr. Annan mediating. Yesterday ODM threatened mass action if Parliament is not summoned in a week to act on constitutional changes to aid in ending the stalemate. Please pray that a practical solution acceptable to both sides will happen quickly.

Calm remains for the time being throughout Kenya, although life is not thesame for many. Sometimes different prices are being charged at the market in Nairobi depending on which tribe one is from. Casual labor jobs may be offered to one tribe but not another. Some landlords will only rent to their own tribe. The tribalism issue is not always violent but hurtful nonetheless. On the other hand, there are Kenyans who wish to remain living in mixed tribal neighborhoods ... determined to live as friends and neighbors.

CMF ministry among the Maasai, Turkana, and Nairobi urban poor continues. Maasai Christians are reaching out to help the Internally Displaced Persons in three areas of Maasailand. Turkana, less affected by the policital crisis because of their more remote geographical area, continues with the normal schedule of teaching, ministry, medical clinics, etc. The team in Nairobi continues to be creative in finding ways to spread Jesus' love and compassion to those who feel hopeless.

Please continue to pray that God's light will continue to shine bright in the midst of darkness and that's God's people will be instruments of true peace in the hearts and lives of the suffering.

February 20, 2008

While our team in Nairobi has been ministering for several weeks to internally displaced people (IDP) because of the post-election violence, our Maasai team is in the early stages of organizing their response. CMF has three areas in Maasailand where we have churches that can minister to these IDP and clinic staff have already identified IDP with medical needs, including HIV/AIDS. Pray we can coordinate efforts with the churches and clinics so they are empowered to minister to these IDP in the rural areas.

February 15, 2008

Mathare Kids Kick for Peace. The soccer tournament for the Mathare youth was a great success. We were hoping for 35 teams representing the whole Valley. Forty-six teams showed up, both boys and girls. The theme for the event was “Mathare for Peace.” Given the past month with post-election violence in Mathare and the two particular communities represented in the Valley, we were a little skeptical about the outcome. Our doubts were put aside by the coming together of our Kikuyu and Luo brothers and sisters. The games went on with no problems. We mixed up the teams between the communities and boys and girls. It was great. But, there was more than soccer that day. We saw kid acrobats, skits/drama on peace, traditional dancing, face painting, a “cat walking” (we call it a fashion/beauty show), Mathare pastors praying for peace, refreshments, and cake eating! All of these things were aimed at getting people together to have fun and focus on God who created us all in His image. Praise God, it all turned out as a huge victory!

February 7, 2008

Kenya remains calm but tense as talks are well underway between the government (PNU) and the opposition party (ODM), with Kofi Annan mediating between the two. The first two items were quickly agreed upon: one to stop the violence and the other for humanitarian aid. Exactly how it is to be played out will unfold in the next weeks.

The US government has identified 10 MPs -- from both parties (PNU and ODM) -- whom they believe have been instrumental in promoting violence in Kenya. They have been served individual letters stating that the US may ban their visas and their families’ visas, followed by Canada and possibly the EU.

The topics of resolving the presidential election results and land issues will be much more involved/complex. One might say there are 4 pots somewhere between the simmering and boiling stages in Kenya: 1) the election results, 2) tribalism, 3) the economic fallout because of post-election violence, and 4) land issues. No one can predict when any of these issues will be fully resolved! Any one of the pots can have the heat turned up or down.

Meanwhile, we go on living our lives as close to normal as possible during this calm. Our kids are in school, so their days remain routine; except sports activities, which continue to be cancelled or rescheduled because of travel alerts. Our Kenyan colleagues are now able to travel a bit more safely, so postponed meetings can be scheduled and ministry can continue for us working with the Maasai and Turkana. However, the costs of transport have greatly increased, and people are fearful of traveling because of security threats. Our Nairobi Urban Poor team is focused on relocation and relief efforts. The schools connected with Hope Partnership are in session, but still have students unaccounted for (primarily because of travel issues). This Saturday in Mathare, young men from both the Luo and Kikuyu tribes will have a soccer tournament with mixed teams to promote peace and reconciliation. Pastors from different denominations will lead a prayer/peace walk throughout Mathare.

Please continue to pray for these ministries:
• that God’s people will be encouraged, filled with boldness and wisdom;
• and that God’s love -- which breaks down all barriers -- will shine on many hurting people, bringing hope and healing.

January 30, 2008

The widespread violence that has affected parts of Kenya since President Kibaki was declared the winner of the December 27 election has subsided in some areas. However, a recent outbreak of protests in Nairobi and violent civil unrest in the towns of Kisumu, Nakuru, and Naivasha demonstrate that the unrest is far from over. The elections have provided the spark that has ignited existing ethnic tension.  

On January 24, former UN Secretary Kofi Annan met with President Kibaki and opposition leader Odinga. On January 29, Annan, Kibaki, and Odinga met for a second time. Kibaki and Odinga each selected three-person negotiating teams and talks towards a political solution to the crisis are now underway. The situation is still very tense and much will depend upon how the negotiations proceed and how the public reacts to unfolding events. On January 29, the member of parliament for the opposition party was murdered by unknown assailants. This criminal act has provoked violent protests. The roads leading to the airports in Nairobi and Mombasa are open and Kenya's international airports are operating normally. For the near future, intermittent protest demonstrations are likely to continue. The situation in Kenya is likely to remain volatile for the immediate future.  

We pray for resolution and peace. There have been no reports of injuries to American citizens since the election crisis began, however, the impact on Kenyans and their economy has been severe. Our teams continue to prayerfully monitor the situation, receiving updates from the US Embassy, reviewing news reports, and gathering information from others living in Kenya. They continue to follow the contingency plan and are prepared to leave if the situation demands it. The CMF missionaries affirm the need for CMF presence in Kenya and desire to remain there as long as they can continue in ministry with manageable risk. We urge you to pray for them, the people of Kenya, and that peace would prevail.

The front page of the newspapers in Kenya today show a picture of President
Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga shaking hands as they meet for the first
time since the general election and promise to hold peace talks. A reserved
hope is in the air that a peaceful solution can be made ... we hold our
breath in anticipation. These talks are crucial to Kenya's stability and
well-being, both immediate and long term. Please pray that these talks will
continue until a solution can be made, agreeable to both sides.

Meanwhile, life continues, but with underlying tension and uncertainty. In
places where unrest and violence are minimal, life is almost normal:
Children go to school, people go to work, goods and supplies flow. In
unstable areas, life is difficult, painful, and sometimes terrifying.

Consider Narok, a once bustling town west of Nairobi located in the Maasai
area. It was/is the main town or hub in that area with various tribes living
and working side by side. After 3 weeks it looks almost like a ghost town.
A few businesses have opened while others remain boarded up due to earlier
rioting. Few children are in school, either because parents are afraid to
send them or many of the teachers (from the Kikuyu tribe) have fled for
their lives. A private primary school run by one of the churches planted by
CMF had 10 pupils show up out of 400. One business man estimates 80% of the
Kikuyu have now left Narok, driven out by Maasai and/or other tribes. Many
of these Kikuyu were business owners, school teachers, plumbers,
construction workers, etc. One of our teammates had a flat tire just outside
Narok this week and could not find any place to repair it. Unheard of just 3
weeks ago! Our minds cannot wrap around the deep tribalism issue in Kenya.
Please pray for our CMF Maasai, Turkana, and Nairobi urban ministry leaders
as they come to grips with the many repercussions. May God encourage His
church and these leaders, giving them wisdom and discernment as to what
their people should do towards reconciliation and immediate relief efforts.
Pray He would comfort and bring hope to the hurting and displaced.

We, CMF missionaries in Kenya, remain living in safe locations, but our
hearts are heavy and saddened by the results of anger and violence in this
beautiful country as it has affected those we know and love. Pray that we
remain steadfast and strong, open vessels to be used for God's purposes and
glory.

January 23, 2008

Resettling the displaced families of Mathare is the main task of our relief efforts in Kenya at this point.  Today, we’ve met with 26 families from the Air Force base camp to counsel them and encourage them to begin the relocation process.  This is about the amount of families that we can meet with on a daily basis.  What this means is they will find a home/residence on their own in an area of the slums that they feel safe.  We will provide two months worth of rent to get them on their feet ($15 a month).  Once they have moved from the camp to the dwelling, we will assess what household items are needed and begin to purchase these.  Some of the people were completely burned and everything will be needed, others were able to leave with a few personal belongings when they were chased out of their homes.   We will provide two weeks worth of food supplies when they move in.  Hopefully, they will be able to return to finding day jobs and be able to provide for themselves in the manner they were before this disaster.  We will wait and see.

What we are seeing are people under so much trauma and fear that they are paralyzed.  They can not even assess their own simple needs.  The government is saying that they have to leave the camps, but they do not even know where to begin.  You ask them, “What did you lose in the violence?”  They say, “I don’t know,” with a blank look on their face.  They are stuck, frozen, fearful, and not sure of anything.  We are resettling our families with shelter, food, clothes, safety, and hope.  The source of hope is the living God.  He alone can give them the courage to continue.

Reconciliation will be the next focus!  Part of our relief efforts will be reconciling the two tribes living in Mathare.  We are going to begin by using football (soccer).  We are getting the youth together for football, food, and fun.  Up by the police depot is a large play field (close to our church in Kosovo) and we are going to sponsor a football tournament with lunch and games for the young.  We will have gifts for all the participants to help facilitate the reconciliation process.  We will play, pray, preach, eat, and give gifts and do it again and again until we see one another as brothers and sisters.

Food distribution is continuing at the different camps.  We are especially focusing on Mathare North and Bondeni where they have been hit hard.

Kids are returning!  Last week we were wondering if the centers would ever look the same, but praise God, they are returning!  Our staff has returned.  With the exception of one person all of our 134 staff members have returned.  One is stuck in the Eldoret area and calls frequently. 

Our social workers and teaching staff are working very, very hard.  They are resettling our displaced families and getting all of the children to their centers for school.  Please keep praying! 

January 17, 2008

Parliament held its first session Tuesday and it was a relatively peaceful day. However, in response, nationwide rallies and demonstrations were scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Jan 16-18).  Please continue to pray that demonstrations would be peaceful and without violence.   
 
The government remains at a political impasse regarding the presidential election, but there continues to be international presence and mediators trying to bring the two conflicting parties together.  Let us pray that there would be movement in these leaders to work toward a wise solution that would serve the people of Kenya in the best way.  
 
Let us pray for the children and youth of Kenya, that they would not learn tribalism, violence, revenge, thievery, and hate but that they would learn forgiveness, love, cooperation, and perseverance.  
 
The tourist industry has been severely affected, as people are choosing not to visit Kenya during this uncertain time.  Kenya’s economy relies heavily on tourism, so this means lost income, lost resources, and lost job opportunities.  Trade within the country has also slowed down so food, medicines, and supplies are increasingly unavailable in city slums and outlying towns.  Let us pray for the people of Kenya, the innocent ones who have suffered because of the actions of others, that God would provide for the needs of the hungry, poor, homeless.
 
It has been raining a bit this week, which has been refreshing.  We know that God is present, and we pray that the Church can rise up and help reveal the glory of God and His kingdom.

January 16, 2007

How to Pray for Kenya

Please continue praying for this situation. Though our missionaries feel the
impact, we know that it is affecting the Kenyans so much more. Below are
some of the specific prayer needs the CMF-Kenya team has identified.

Please pray for:
* The innocent people who have lost loved ones or have been hurt or
displaced.
* The Kenyan leaders to come to know God and that God will bless them with
love for their people.
* The end of hate, revenge, destruction, anger, arrogance, tribalism,
violence, unrest, mistrust, and prejudice.
* The Kenyan ministry leaders. God has shown Kenya some of its needs for
repentance; pray that they will remember the lesson and work for change,
even if the "symptoms" disappear.

January 10, 2008

It has now been eleven days since the election results were announced, and several days since businesses have been open and people have been attempting to return to life before the unrest. Though it seems that violence has largely subsided in the nation, tensions remain rather high. CMF personnel remain unharmed and alert.

It seems that political moves and strategic decisions continue to be made each day by those seeking power in this country. Rallies are scheduled and postponed.  Everyone waits to hear what will happen.

There are many rumors. Some are sensational, seeking only reaction. Some have motive to stir up trouble and dissention. Some are merely very hopeful thoughts that things will return to normal soon. We pray that God will give us discernment to know truth from rumors, to know how to pray and how to make decisions, particularly with regard to living day-to-day under a higher stress level and a greater amount of uncertainty.

The Nairobi Urban Poor Team was able to assist in delivering food packets to two locations in Nairobi this week, where there were a total of up to 3,000 displaced people. The official death count has risen to 486 and internally displaced people to about 257,000. We pray for these individuals and families, who may be without food, shelter, or safety.

At many Sunday services in Nairobi, the messages were on repentance of tribalism, before God and before one another. More than ever, we are seeking for an unfolding of God's kingdom and rule here, for unity and reconciliation and forgiveness in a supernatural and profound way. The Media Commission of Kenya also put together a prayer time that was broadcast over all the main radio stations on Sunday evening. We believe the words in Ephesians 6 where it says that the battle is not against flesh and blood, and we ask that you join us in praying for this country.

January 9, 2008

Things are calm, but tension is high.  Our "new normal" is living with the unknown if things will really settle down or if tensions will result in more riots, etc. ... with being alert and uncertain ... with higher stress … with doing errands around Nairobi on calm days and knowing to stay close to home after political announcements ... with contingency plans in place ... and without the ability to travel alone to the outlying ministry areas.  
  
We are hoping that the calm will remain, but Kenya is too unstable at this point to assume that. Some displaced people are being brought to Nairobi to join the hundreds of thousands that are displaced and fearful to return to their homes to rebuild. What will happen to these thousands if relief begins to dwindle and they become hungry—an increase in the already escalating crime? There will be long-term implications to what has happened. The need is huge ... but forgiveness across tribal lines is one of the largest needs that the Church can address.  
 
For today we are learning to live with even more flexibility in an unstable Kenya. What a perfect time to deepen trust in our Father!