Peace Corps Volunteer Talks About the Violence in Kenya

Just after Christmas, Kenya erupted into violence and rioting over Kenya's disputed Presidential elections leaving hundreds dead so far. Until this recent outburst of violence, Kenya has long been seen as one of the most stable and prosperous countries in its region of Africa.

On December 27^th, 2007 incumbent Kenyan President Kibaki was declared winner of a highly contested presidential election. President Kibaki, a member of Kenya's largest tribal group, the Kikuyu, was first elected in 2002 in an event that was seen as very positive in the development of a true democracy in Kenya. However, after a few years of positive impact, President Kibaki recently made several very undemocratic moves that lost him favor with Kenya's general public.

In December 2007's Kenyan presidential elections, preliminary counting showed that Kibaki's primary opposition, Odinga, was coming out ahead. However, when the voting was finished, vote counts showed that Kibaki overtook Odinga to win re-election by a small number of votes. Kibaki was then quickly sworn back into office, a move which many accuse as an attempt to avoid the demand for a recount. Some public officials in charge of the electoral commission of Kenya have also admitted that some of the results have been tampered with.

Supporters of Odinga quickly began protesting and rioting throughout Kenya. Odinga is a member of the nation's third-largest ethnic group, the Luo people, and many report that the protests and violence surrounding this election are a result of Kenya's differing ethnic factions and a growing distrust and hatred among them.

Much of Kenya's recent violence has been directed against the Kikuyu people and many Kikuyu are fleeing in mass numbers. However, reports have also stated that government military has opened fire on opposition demonstrators, killing hundreds. Much of the violence has occurred in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya's capital, but it has also spread to other areas of Kenya, such as the Rift Valley northwest of Nairobi and Kisumu in western Kenya. In one of the most gruesome displays of violence, a gang comprised of Luo and other minority groups set fire to a church that was housing Kikuyu refugees, killing men, women, and children inside.

More than a week of protests, rioting, killing and raping in Kenya have left over six hundred people dead and several hundred thousand homeless. Many refugees are at risk of starvation and the widespread unrest has crippled Kenya's economy. Recently, opposition leader Odinga has called for an end to the protests, citing a "mediation process" that was soon to begin. Things are beginning to calm down for Kenya.

I have been in contact with Peace Corps volunteer, Mike Hardin, who has been in Kenya throughout this conflict. Mike is currently stationed in Mombasa, on the eastern coast of Kenya, and although it has not been a major center of recent violence, they are far from unaffected. Here is my interview with Mike Hardin, Peace Corps volunteer in Kenya:

Mike, what exactly is going on in Kenya right now?

"Things are starting to get back to relative calm, but there are protests and rallies being held daily. Price inflation has swept everything from Matatu rides to shops. There is a sense of uneasiness and vulnerability in Mombasa."

How long have you been in Kenya and what have you been doing there?

"I have been in Kenya for 4 months and have been learning culture and language and have been trying to get started with working with street kids here in Mombasa, as well as Junior Achievement programs. I can not do any work until the schools open back up."

What positive impact is the Peace Corps currently having on Kenya and what impact has it had in the past?

"Kenya is one of the largest Peace Corps countries and the Peace Corps volunteers have made a large impact on farming, business, public health, and education. Currently [Peace Corps volunteers from] all regions have been evacuated to Uganda and Tanzania except where I am at the coast; so with 10 out of the 150 volunteers working there is not much that we can do until things calm down."

How near have you been to the current situation in Kenya?

"I have heard and seen more than I would ever like to see. The gun shot sounds have stopped at my house two days ago, but I still hear the protests and whenever I am out of my compound there is much tribal hatred expressed and people are very upset."

How does the situation make you feel?

"I have always felt safe overseas, until now. The hardest emotion that I feel is one of frustration. I am frustrated that a people group that has nothing is losing their homes, businesses, and overall peaceful nation. Kenya is a beautiful place, and one of the countries of Africa that has done well in development, and now they have to step back and are losing the tourists and other contributors to their economy."

Finally, with what you know of the situation and the Kenyan people, what kind of outcome do your foresee? Do you think it will happen soon?

"I have no idea what to expect with the future; it is unpredictable at best. I know that there has been much damage to the economy and overall trust in the nation's leaders. The Kenyans are strong and will survive, but they have lost much. I pray that negotiations will go well and that we can start cleaning up this mess."

Kenya. Wikipedia.
Civil Unrest in Kenya (2007-2008). Wikipedia.