Big Picture Summary:
International mediation efforts continue. The president of the AU, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, and the U.S. Ambassador are working to get the opposing sides to talk. Progress has been slow and halting, but it is progress none the less.
The security situation remains tense, but the escalation of violence seem to have stopped and incidences seem to be isolated. (I believe this is due in part to the actions of courageous Christians and others who stepped forward for peace and reached across tribal boundaries.)
Attempts at peaceful protest have been harshly shut down by the Government.
Food and supplies for the region (including neighboring countries) are still sketchy since the port of Mombassa is operating at limited capacity and commerce on the roads is risky.


Local Nakuru Update From Zablon:

Dear Friends:

Thank you for your prayers concerning the current situation in Kenya. The situation has now cooled down although we still have some displaced people who are still trapped in the affected areas and are in critical need of transport as a result of the political skirmishes.

Nakuru has received a total of about 15,647 persons, some have passed through Nakuru overnight to various destinations although the majority of them will be staying around for a while. The needs of these people either staying here or on transit are transport, medical attention, food, clothes, toiletteries, and mostly the normal basic needs. We are grateful that our people have given food, clothes but we have a challenge on transport which requires money for fuel or fares. The following organizations have joined hands with us to assist these displaced people namely the Red Cross, Churches, Volunteers, the Lions Club of Nakuru, the Rotary Club of Nakuru, World Vision, Nakuru Business Community among others. We therefore urgently appeal for help!

The following statistics show arrivals of displaced people on transit to Nakuru from various places, the majority of whom are women and children



Tuesday 1/1/2008
368
Wednesday 2/1/2008
2000
Thursday 3/1/2008
1264
Friday 4/1/2008
2406
Saturday 5/1/2008
3432
Sunday 6/1/2008
2500
Monday 7/1/2008
2033
Tuesday 8/1/2008
1644
Total
15,647

Currently, we have about 4,500 people on the ground at Nakuru and at least 75% of these are under 18 years of age and the rest elderly. These people are mainly at the A.S.K. (Agricultural Society of Kenya) show ground, Nakuru town among other centres within the district. Our main responsibility at the moment is to take care of their security which is being provided by the local police. We really need some help so that we can provide transport to their final destination. Your financial contributions would be highly appreciated.

You can send your support through the Beech Foundation, Roswell Presbyterian Church or Direct to our P.C.E.A Nakuru West Resource Centre, Account number 1019564 Barclays Bank of Kenya, Nakuru West Branch. On receiving your contribution, we will pass it over to the Committee Treasurer.

In the course of this predicament, I lost my favorite niece Rose Njoki (sister to James Kuria Mwahuki) on Monday after a short illness and has been in Intensive Care Unit for the last one week.

Please keep on praying for me because I have a very big responsibility. I was nominated as the Chairman of the management of Overseeing Committee and most of the time I am at this show ground.

Thank you and God bless you.

Yours in His service

Zablon M. Kuria

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