Zablon reports that yesterday and today were “cool” (calm) days in Nakuru and that the security situation continues to improve there. Unfortunately other parts of the country continue to experience strife. Another minister of parliament was killed today, though early indications are that this was more of a domestic quarrel than an action connected to the recent violence. On the diplomatic front, Kofi Annan has been joined by the Secretary General of the U.N. in their efforts to bring about a political settlement.

I asked Zablon to put together some facts and figures to help us understand the magnitude of the need in Nakuru. You can read an excerpt from his email below, but here’s the summary:

- Currently there are ~55,000 IDPs in the Nakuru area

- ROCK Bridge and PCEA are currently working with ~16,000 IDPs split between the ASK Showground (Kikuyu) and the Afraha stadium (non-Kikuyu)

- The Red Cross and other organizations have so far been able to provide food and basic supplies.

- ROCK/PCEA are working to fill the gaps in providing for the IDPs, and are focussing on transporting the IDPs to where they want/need to go. This, of course, has the double benefit of serving the needs of the IDP and reducing the overall support load.

- Zablon estimates that transporting 1/2 of the IDPs will cost ~$80,000. He hopes that some of this will be provided for by the government or other organizations, and perhaps the number can be reduced if some vehicles are donated.

He stressed again that anything will help. If you would like to send funds, do so through the Beech Foundations:
The Beech Foundation
2461 O’Neal Road
Conyers, GA 30094
Attn: Kenya Relief

And he reiterated his thanks for the concern, prayers, and support that has been given.

We discussed the long term implications of the violence and the ongoing ethic segregation. He noted that this level of violence and the mass migrations are unprecedented in modern Kenya, and feels that the healing process will take some time. While the segregation may be prudent in the short term (reduce tensions), this plays directly into the plans of “tribalists” who have been working for some time to return Kenya to a federation of semi-autonomous tribal districts. There is some thought that this movement is spiritually, and perhaps logistically, behind the current violence.

I continue to be “encouraged” by the fact that the vast majority of Kenyans want peace; most of the violence is being perpetuated by only a small minority. That, plus the courageous efforts of the members or PCEA, ROCK Bridge, and many other organizations across Kenya to bridge the gap between tribes and communities gives me hope.

More to follow.

Cheers,
Dan

————
From Zablon:

“The figures of the IDPs in our two camps have drastically changed in the last 24 hours. We have 8,075 IDPs at the ASK showground and 7,802 at the Afraha Stadium. The other figures that I had not given you are 52,045 IDPs within the Nakuru District, all of them in 72 camps. However, we are only dealing with the above two camps.

Yours in His Service
Zablon Kuria”

1/29 Update:

I spoke with Zablon this morning. Here’s the scoop:

- Nakuru was calm today.

- Naivasha is still in turmoil with active conflict between tribal gangs and heavy police/military action.

- A Minister of Parlaiment was assassinated today. The group claiming responsibility has apparently announced that there will be more.

- Progress has been limited on the diplomacy front.

- Barack Obama called the leaders to action on Kenya radio (see transcript here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/samgrahamfelsen/CGG4L )

Zablon says the challenge once again in Nakuru is the number of IDP’s (Internally Displaced Persons). To complicate matters, the IDPs are now segregated into two camps- the Kikuyu camp (~6,000) and the non-Kikuyu camp (~3,000) at the stadium. Zablon and team are trying to minister to both camps (they are neutral), though to paraphrase Zablon, “You can imagine how difficult it is to walk into the stadium as a Kikuyu.” (Actually, I don’t think I can imagine.)

With the poor connection yesterday I mis-interpreted what Sammy told me about funding. They do, in fact, urgently need funding for the following purposes:
- Food purchase and preparation
- Clothing and tents
- Transportation

Zablon told me that the bulk of any funds would be used for transportation- getting the IDPs out of the camps and into the homes of relatives. He basically said anything would help, but he is going to start working on a budget today so that we can all understand the magnitude of the need. (With Jeff out of the country, I’m not sure who or where to send any donations… perhaps to/through Roswell Pres?)

More to follow tomorrow.

I just spoke with Sammy- we had a bad connection, but the gist that I got was that Nakuru was relatively calm today (Monday) with only a few incidents, mostly involving the authorities moving gangs out. They were able to have school for the Tumaini children, but were not able to bring in the non-resident children, I gather in part due to the fact that many are displaced. The children remain at the Suburb church. A number of other parishioners are living there as well, waiting for the chance to either return home or be transported to live with relatives.

It seems that the nexus of the violence has moved down the road to Naivasha (check out any newspaper today). Sammy was concerned about the violence there; I gather that many in Nakuru have friends and relatives in that nearby town.

All in all, he sounded tired but positive and was thankful for the prayers and support from abroad. (I believe) he told me that they had enough resources right now to take care of those in need, but that dealing with all of the IDP (internally displaced persons) going forward would be a big challenge. I told him that I appreciated the positive impact that ROCK Bridge, PCEA, and others had had on the situation- that by reaching out across tribal, religious, and community lines they were providing a dampening effect on the escalating violence. He replied (I paraphrase) that he believed ROCK Bridge is here at this time for God’s purposes, among which is being a beacon of light in these dark days. I agree.

The following article was printed on 1/23 in the Daily Nation (Kenyan Newspaper):

http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=25&newsid=115142

Kenya has come too far to waste gains

Story by BARACK OBAMA
Publication Date: 1/23/2008

I have been deeply troubled by the recent events in Kenya. The ongoing political impasse and the tragic violence pose an urgent and dangerous threat to Kenyans, Kenyan democracy, and stability and economic development in a vital region.

Urgent action must be taken to prevent a further deterioration of the situation and to help resolve the current political crisis.

The Kenyan people have a proud historical commitment to establishing and sustaining multi-party democracy. I have personally been touched by this generous, democratic spirit through my ties to my own family, and during my travels to Kenya — most recently as a US Senator in 2006. This thirst for democracy was on display in Kenya’s recent election, when Kenyans turned out to vote in record numbers, and in a peaceful way.

While participating in our own presidential elections in America, I have closely followed the tragic events that unfolded after Kenya’s polls closed. My thoughts and prayers and those of my family have been with the more than 650 victims of the violence and their families, as well as the 250,000 Kenyans who have been displaced.

Clearly, Kenya has reached a defining moment. It is up to Kenyan leaders and the Kenyan population to turn away from the path of bloodshed, division, and repression, and to turn towards reconciliation, negotiation, and renewed commitment to democratic governance. There is no doubt that there were serious flaws in the process by which presidential votes were tabulated. There is also no doubt that actions taken by both sides in the aftermath of the election have deepened the stalemate.

But Kenya’s hard-won democracy and precious national unity can be salvaged. Now is the time for all parties to renounce violence. And now is the time for President Kibaki, Raila Odinga, and all of Kenya’s leaders, to calm tensions, to come together unconditionally, and to implement a political process that peacefully addresses the controversies that divide them and restores the Kenyan people’s confidence in their political system.

WHEN I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH Opposition leader Raila, I urged him to enter into talks with President Kibaki without preconditions — mass protests and violence are not the way out of this crisis. I have also reached out to President Kibaki in order to encourage him to refrain from further steps that would exclude meaningful opposition participation in the government.

The rule of law and the rights of the Kenyan people — including freedom of the media and the freedom of peaceful assembly — must be restored. The negotiated solution to this crisis must be peaceful and political. It must take account of past failures and seek to prevent future conflict.

Americans stand together in our friendship with the people of Kenya. I have spoken to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and I support the message delivered by assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer during her visit to Nairobi.

I am also heartened by the initiative taken by African Eminent Persons, headed by Kofi Annan, and I hope that both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga will directly engage with the former UN secretary-general to jump-start dialogue.

I have spoken to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and underscored my strong support for the efforts being made by Kenya’s friends to help facilitate dialogue. The future of Kenya is critically important to the future of Africa. While only Kenyans can resolve this crisis, all Kenyans should welcome the assistance of their concerned friends in this difficult time.

The frustrations felt by so many Kenyans are understandable. There is no doubt that much more remains to be done for Kenya to become a more equitable and democratic society. But Kenya has come too far to throw away decades of progress in a storm of violence.

Senator Obama is a contender for the US Democratic Party presidential ticket

I just got off the phone with Zablon. He was at Sammy’s house and told me that the situation in Nakuru continues to improve, though there are still acts of violence and the curfew in in place (which he thought a good thing). The bulk of the violence seems to be retaliatory and revenge, but Zablon is hoping that this is the boiling point and perhaps soon reconciliation can begin. Many people have been leaving town and moving to their tribal heartlands, which is also helping defuse the inter-tribal violence.

Church services were held this morning (albeit with low attendance), which is a very good sign. Other than some property damage, members of PCEA are safe.

On a broader front, Kofi Annan continues to work with the political leaders on reconciliation. He made some strong condemnations yesterday regarding the growing evidence that this violence was planned by segments of the opposition and not sparked spontaneously by the election results.

Zablon noted that ROCK Bridge has come at the right time- now, more than ever, people and organizations need to reach out across tribal and political lines. ROCK Bridge and PCEA will continue doing so.

I just spoke with Zablon. He sounded exhausted, but told me that things have stabilized some over the past 24 hours since the Army moved in. There is still a curfew, but a number of the people living on the church grounds have been able to evacuate the town. It is still tense. As far as he knows, no church members have been killed, but at least one family has lost their home. He asked for continued prayers.

Until this last Thursday, Nakuru was the calm spot in the storm of post-election violence that has gripped Kenya. That ended abruptly as rival gangs of Kikuyu, Kalinjen, and other tribes swept through the town bringing death and destruction with bows, machettes, clubs, and fire.

The official count is 10 dead, but no-one knows. The hospital is full of wounded and more keep coming in. Large portions of the town have been vandalized. The people that were taking refuge at the fairgrounds have been scattered. The children from the Tumaini Childrens Home have been moved to the main church, which seems to be the primary refuge now for church members… unfortunately it is near downtown and right smack in the middle of the violence.

As of last check, Zablon and Sammy are alive and safe. I have no information beyond them.

Here are two BBC news stories:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7208421.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7210310.stm

And here are pictures:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7210310.stm

Jeff Beach sent out the following email after speaking with Zablon:
Please continue to pray – even more fervently.

Thanks and Blessings, Jeff

I will be checking in with Zablon tomorrow (and daily). More to follow.

Dear friends

Thank you for your earnest prayers.

Thank you for your donation of about US$6,200 from the various churches and friends.

Yesterday our Parliament held its first sitting. All M.P.s were sworn in. It was a peaceful affair and God is working miracles.
At the Nakuru ASK showground where the displaced people are camping, the situation has improved slightly. A number of families have moved out to join their relatives in and out of town although we still have a large number still camping here and we don’t know until when since we keep on receiving more people streaming from other affected areas.

A lot has improved just a little bit although the victims need more basic needs and miss the real home environment.

People (including children) currently on the ground 3,485
Victims that have passed through this camp 38,364
Victims received on daily basis an average 1,000
Victims moving out to join relatives 800
Families (644 persons) that have received tents 75
Families that need tents 80
The nearest camp Molo is holding 46,000

Schools have opened and most school going children are yet to join or continue. We might create a school within the camp and deploy displaced teachers to teach the various levels of classes or have the children join other schools within their reach. We also have orphaned children amongst the victims and the children’s homes are a little bit overwhelmed given the lean resources in their establishments. Meanwhile professional counsellors are doing their best in offering therapeutic service inspite of many shortcomings.

Reports received from other centres holding displaced people out of Nakuru is pathetic – for example Molo camp (fourty five minutes drive from here to the west) is holding 46,000 people with no basic needs like food, blankets, tents, medical service just to mention a few. There are other centres with an average of 350 persons. Much assistance is still on high demand and more crucial is God to intervene thus your prayers are ernestly called for.

Please remember us in prayer, we need to pray for our leaders so that the process of healing and reconcilliation can start and families may be moved back to their farms.

Yours in His Service

Zablon Kuria

Here is an update from within Kenya – observations from a Kenyan.

They had a feature on Nation TV yesterday about the overflow of charity in Nakuru to the displaced people from North Rift Valley who are pouring into that town seeking refuge.

The refugees are currently being sheltered at the Nakuru Show ground.

There was this one wide angle shot of a huge huge pile of clothes. Apparently, Nakuru residents had raided their wardrobes and brought so many clothes that they far surpassed current needs, even though there were thousands of people at the camp.

And everyday, these residents of Nakuru flock to the showgrounds intent on finding ways to be useful, to make a difference. They take food to the refugees, they organize activities for the children, sometimes they come simply to walk around the camp, to spend time with the refugees, talking to them, encouraging them.

I was particularly fascinated by this young girl who went to recite poetry. I’d never have thought to go to a refugee camp to recite poetry, but yet there she was, and she had a rapt audience, as far as I could tell. I suppose it all boils down to “such as I have, I give to thee.”

God bless the people of Nakuru.