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Kenyans debate nation's fate

Posted: Friday, January 04, 2008 2:11 PM
Filed Under:

By Adrienne Mong, NBC News Producer

MASAI MARA, Kenya – A safari guide, a baggage handler, a passenger, and a co-pilot were standing under the wing of a propeller plane waiting for a flight to Nairobi.

It sounds like the beginning of a joke.

It's not.

Here in one of the great wildlife parks, the Masai Mara National Reserve, these four people were animatedly discussing Kenya's political future in a mixture of Swahili and English. Specifically, they debated whether another presidential election could be held in three to six months. The original contest, which was held Dec. 27, has resulted in allegations of vote-rigging and a wave of violence that's killed more than 300 people.

I’ve been on vacation here, spending some time away from my usual post as an NBC News producer in Beijing, and for days, most of the Kenyans I’ve encountered in the popular safari area of Masai Mara have alternated between looking after worried tourists and monitoring the political climate in the country.  

Image: The government sends out a text urging for restraint.
Adrienne Mong / NBC News
The government sends out a text message urging for restraint.

My safari guide, Eliud, a very well-read and thoughtful Kikuyu (the largest of Kenya's 40-odd tribes and one that is generally said to be supporting incumbent President Mwai Kibari), spent hours taking me around the Mara plains, patiently answering questions about Kenyan wildlife and politicians.

On Thursday, the morning of the opposition party's planned rally in Nairobi (the protest was later cancelled), Eliud's cell phone beeped several times.

"It's all going very high-tech," he said mysteriously.  Then he showed me two text messages from the government:

"The Government of Kenya advises that the sending of hate messages inciting violence is an offence that could result in prosecution."

"The Government of Kenya advises you not to take part in any unlawful assembly that may result in violence!"

As we drove through Oloololo Gate into the Masai Mara reserve, park guards sat in the shade of a lone tree listening to the BBC World Service radio, waiting for the latest news.

Unexpected development
At the lodge, an extended American family debated endlessly how best to avoid spending the night in Nairobi. A German couple who had been advised to cancel the next stop on their itinerary – Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley – were fielding conflicting opinions on what to do if they couldn't make the morning flight to the capital.

Image: Despite the unrest, tourists come and go at Masai Mara.
Adrienne Mong / NBC News
Despite the unrest, tourists come and go from the Masai Mara reserve.

In the end, everyone took the flight to Nairobi and we were surprised at how quiet the streets of the city appeared. 

George, a Kenyan who picked me up at Wilson airport, said it was strange to see heavily armed police on horseback patrolling the normally peaceful downtown area of Nairobi or in full riot gear stationed all along Uhuru Park, site of the cancelled opposition rally. Kenya has long been a magnet for tourists because of its history as one of the most stable democracies in sub-Saharan Africa.

Image: Women from the Kimera slum line up for a World Food Program food handout, in Nairobi, Kenya.
SLIDE SHOW: Kenya in crisis  
"Well," I tried my hand at cheering him up, "Barack Obama won! Do you think anyone here noticed?" Obama’s father, a goat-herder turned economist grew up in Kenya. When the senator from Illinois visited Kenya in August 2006, he was greeted to a hero’s welcome.

"Oh, for sure, if all this unrest weren't happening, people would be on the streets dancing and singing," George replied.  Not – as he was reluctant to say – rioting and looting.

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Comments

The renowned Kenyan academic once posed the question that which of the two countries the US (Barack Obama)or Kenya would be the first to elect a Luo president (Raila Odinga). My answer to him was that the US would elect a Luo president before Kenya did. Interestingly, the demographics of blacks in the US is thirteen percent as his Kenya's population of Luo's. So, what is the problem?

The Kenyan problem is Kikuyu atavism. It says: tribe alone justifies power. The overwhelming majority of Kikuyus will never vote for a Luo whom they derogatively refer to as 'boys' on account of cultural differences- majority of Luos do not circumcise males. Leadership qualities or policies differences do not count.

Kibaki ran a very corrupt and incompetent government and repressive government. Notable members of Kibaki's inner circle were linked to a corruption scandal called Anglo-Leasing, subsequently forcing Kenya's ethics Czar to seek exile in Britain. Other notable members of Kibaki's cabal were alleged to be involved with Armenian international drug traffickers from Dubai. Lastly, Kibaki rendered many innocent Kenyan muslims to Guantanamo Bay to assist Bush in the
"war on terror."

Eric Otiende (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 3:30 PM)

Kenyans voted  on 12.27 for better future. the killings of the innocent and destruction of property  has to stop. the politicians who started it don't seem to care at all.the opposition needs to teach its supporters on how to demonstrate peacefully without getting violent, if only MR Mwai Kibaki - the president did not rig the elections, the terrible situation will not be happening now, we as Kenyans demand a new presidential elections We hope and pray that there will be peace soonest, and the president that Kenyans elected takes over the country. the Electoral Commission of Kenya must step down, now one can trust them again. We need a democratically elected president.

sue k, dallas, texas (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 3:59 PM)

Hi. I just thought you should know that the incumbent president is Mwai Kibaki, not Kibari. Other than that fact, excellent story.

Elliott (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 4:53 PM)

What have you heard about the unrest in Malava, Kakamega and Kisumu?  My daughter was there on a mission trip and just made it out.  

Martha Hamilton, LaGrange, Kentucky (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 6:08 PM)

I love my country Kenya. I never saw a live gun while growing up. That's how peaceful it was growing up. Guns, killing and fighting were in isolated incidents. I lived my first 25 years there and now is in my mid-thirties. I grew up in a regular neighborhood. My classmates through college were from different tribes. I am bleeding for my country. Tribal hatred and power hungry politicians has brought Kenyans to their knees. Promising to take away property from another tribe to give another because they belong to your tribe is abominable. This will only lead to further bloodshed. I do not believe we are on the verge of genocide, yet hundreds of lives lost to bring power to one person is loathe. It is time for a coalition government, I admit. No one tribe should be allowed to threaten another when the president belongs to that party. Democracy should be allowed to reign failure of which the rule of the law should be followed for any grievances. Lives lost cannot be reclaimed after power is gained. Peace to all my dear Kenyans.

Wanjiku, E. Worcester, MA (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 6:31 PM)

Can you tell us how votes are processed in Kenya? Are the votes cast on paper? On computers? How are they counted? Are paper ballots scanned? Do people use touchscreens to vote? Are paper ballots counted by hand?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Lisa Pease (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 6:49 PM)

Kenya, one of the most stable countries in Africa is now in the list of shame because of a clique that think they have to protect their selfish interests at all cost. The result of this self-centered motive has led to over 300 deaths and possible more. Most people in Kenya (many tribes) feel that their call for change was silenced when the ECK (Electoral Commission of Kenya) charged with overseeing the elections succumbed to demands to deny their voice. The situation in Kenya is not caused by tribal rivalry as depicted, but anger and frustration by people who feel that their voices have been hushed.

We therefore urge our leaders and the international community to instill hope to the people of Kenya that democracy can still be achieved and their voices can still be heard. We can’t change the heinous crimes that have happened so far, but we can stop the situation from getting worse with real democracy.      

Save our beloved county (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 6:59 PM)

As different details come to light about the Kenyan election, and the events thereafter, there is little doubt in my mind that the election was indeed rigged.  It is disturbing that Mr. Kibaki has said an done little to peacefully resolve the issues of his people and his country.  It seems to me that he is a man determined to keep power by any means necessary.  If he is so sure tha he won the election, why not wait for a full recount of the votes or hold a re-election?  Now the members of the Kenyan Electoral Commission have admitted to "discrepancies" or "errors," it is time for the international community to put pressure on Mr. Kibaki to resign and hold re-elections that will be monitored by international observers.  To let such corruption continue unchecked is a disservice to democracy and everything democracy stands for.  Clearly, the Kenyan people are screaming for change.  It's high time for Kibacki to go.  How much blood does this man want on his hands?

Carrie, VA (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 7:01 PM)

Once again Africans have shown the world that "we can't do it right". The Kenya election was adjudged successful by the observers, but the problem started when results were being released and supposedly manupulated. This doesn't warrant the wanton destruction of lives and properties we have witnessed in the last few days since the outbreak of the protests. We should be civil while protesting and not cause more damages while we are trying to solve a problem. My advice is that all parties should calm down and come to a roundtable and make their points and and move the country forward. Let the whole world see us resolve problems proactively for once.

Olawale Ibitoye (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 8:32 PM)

Hello.
I was to go to Kenya to work at the orphanage I fund raise for in the U.S.  I stay at Safari Park Hotel outside of Nairobi.  Wondering how safe it will be.....I will be driven 45 min. from Kenyatta to Safari Park.
Any advice?  I hate to cancel but wondering if I should.

Linda, Monkton, Md. (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 8:46 PM)

Great!  At least your article didn't subject unknowing readers about how protestors are fighting for democracy, etc, etc.  I liked Raila before, but I really question his statesmanship in invoking tribal passions to advance democracy.  His creditials as a democrat were permanently damaged when his supporters resulted to ethnic cleansing of a specific tribe.  

Kwitu (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 9:22 PM)

these greedy politicians should have a way to be prosecuted and pay the price for political selfishness that cause the death, maiming and displacement of the people in any nation. democracy should not be a tool in the hands of the wicked few, but an opportunity in hands of the people to be part of the system that run the nation.  

Sam Ayodele (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 10:23 PM)

All indications leading to the elections were that this was going to be a tight race.  It could have gone either way.  Both parties began to place thier rigging machinery in place determined not to lose at any cost.  It was all or nothing.  There was no way this would have been completed without rigging.  The question was who had the most sophistated machinery not easily detectable to pull it off.  Kibaki had the added advantage of running the show.  What he should be prosecuted for is not having the brains to plan a clean and undetectable rigging plan.  So what if elections are rigged.  It is done everyday all over the world.  Ask Al Gore.  The Odinga group is pissed that they were beaten to the game and are using poor rouge supporters to atempt to force the situation so that they can in turn corrupt their way to more power and more rigging.  They are talking of a new election.  Who wants to go through this again.  The only way I would even consider it is if both Raila and Kibaki are not on the vote.  The are both power hungry egoistic maniacs who protect themselves while the ordinary kenyan suffers.  If they are looking for any type of reprieve, they should first fix the mess kenyans are living through right now, then talk of an election.  Very very angry Kenyan.

Wacuka (Sent Friday, January 04, 2008 10:45 PM)

Are you guys trying to say that because Obama's father is from Kenya, that he is going to be Rash and tyrannical like the government officials in that country. I think that this is subtle Obama bashing. You guys are just like Newsweek, with your negative campaigning disguise as news. Shame shame shame MSNBC. When will you guys understand that America don’t care for your views on who should be president, we can make that decision for ourselves. Just do your job and report the news fair and accrete like you are supposed to.

dave (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 1:30 AM)

The world is been fooled. The violence started on 27th right after the voting. This was hours before the first election results were returned. MSNBC can interview the victims in Eldoret to confirm this. The militia did heinous act and the election impasse gave them cover. Spin doctors on both sides are twisting it to gain sympathy with International community. The victims becomes again since the truth will never be known. Besise these tribal flare up occurs in North rift valley in every election year since 1992. The warlord(s) take advantage to kill,rape and maim. After all this we need to pursue the warlords and bring them to justice. How do you explain 20000 militia group setting up road blocks in 2 days if all these acts were not planned  in advanced? Most Kenyans are peaceful and are shocked by these atrocities. We shall come through this but we need to strengthen our institutions from Presidency,Judiciary,legislative and electoral commission body. Watch calm return next week and we start the long healing process. As for politicians they're a big let down and some may be as guilty as the gangs and that's across the divide. Long live Kenya. I'm proud to be a Kenyan.!!!

Mzalendo, Dallas Texas (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 2:34 AM)

Kenya the most stable of democracies is a first class hog wash. Better word is most corrupt and since 1978 a country that has literally turned to dog eat dog. Arap Moi and his cohorts were the worst ever who bilked the country in billions at the expense of the poor, ignorant, diseased ravaged, illiterate, over five million of them living in filty shanty town slums with son santitation, running water and basic shetler. In fact Arap Moi and his Vice President Kibaki who took over 4 years ago are worst ever megalomaniac, compulsive-obsesssive socipaths that corrupted every sector of the Government.

All this while UK and US have been too busy with their propaganda of terror hype, fomentation of hate, fear and patriotic feeding frenzy to control the hearts and minds of the misled and the gullible.  Kibaki not only controls the Government, but the Judicial process, the military and the law enforcement.

Tribal animosities are inherent and traditional but calling it ethnic cleansing nothing but propaganda. No doubt as all this misery despair on account of the indifference has created murderous gangs, thugs and hooligans. However the lawlessness at the top is the bigger issue and problems.

After the Colonial British left, the new African masters turned out to be worst and the resentment against the establisment has finally exploted. All this suggestion of sharing power at the meddling of external forces will resolve nothing. US, UK and the world knows dam well that Kibaki and his self serving gang of crooks and cohorts are the problem and yet they pander to the indifference and the corruption with token aid, military hardware and the like.

The solution is to freeze the assets of these corrupt SOBs and let the country have transparent and fair elections under the UN auspices and vote counting. In fact the UN should set up a permanent body and system that set up election process in all countries where there such inherent problems. Its hould be a mandatory obligation as a part of UN membership.

In case any body is wondering, I speak form personal experience, having been born, bred and raised in Kenya.  



Chui, Atlanta, USA (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 11:20 AM)

We as kenyans are praying for a quick solution to the current situation in our beloved nation, we want democracy back in our country. We ask for a recount of presidential votes or new presidential elections.

Susan, Dallas, tx (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 12:01 PM)

Kenyans should be extremely proud that on election day, they did their country proud. The Government and the Electoral Commission of Kenya miserably failed the Kenyan people. Hating a specific tribe because of a few selfish elements will not get Kenyans anywhere. If you persecute one tribe now because of the sins of a few, ten years down the road it will be you who will suffer. We as Kenyans have to embrace our differences and continue to live together in peace.

Celestine, Lusaka, Zambia (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 1:02 PM)

Kenya will do fine once the greedy have covered up their corruption. Raila being a statesman will use the law to take back what is rightfully for Kenyans. Kibaki will remain an embarassment until he expires like Moi. Kenya will remain the the best destination because that is my home so I BELIEVE.

Daniel Omusinde (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 1:50 PM)

I read these stories on Kenya with especial interest.
In 1976 I was in Tanzania and Kenya for one month.  The animals are still my number one (#1) when asked about the things I have seen on five continents when visiting.  While typing this I can look up and see small statues of people and animals which I brougt back as souviniers.  Flashbacks of my few days in peaceful Nairobi, beautiful goverment buildings, new at the time. We met people from many other countries, touring and working for churches.  All spoke English so we could talk with them.  A night at the Tree Top Lodge where Elizabeth was when her father, the King, had died.  And since I am the world's fusiest eater, a Kentucky Fried Chicken which I was happy to walk over to on a couple of occasions.  It worries me to see this tension in Kenya.  My first thought is why do they not get a satisfactory vote count? And accept it. All this when we have a Kenyan-American contesting peacefully the American President. Then I remember that there were people in the United States who were ready to do battle over our last two election results.  Choosing sides to do battle isn't only among youngsters having neighborhood fun.  

Elwin Anderson (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 1:52 PM)

Adrienne,
Thanks for bringing attention to the situation in Kenya. Kenyans voted for change in this election.That is why virtually the whole of Kibaki's cabinet lost their seats in parliament. Kenyans relied on Kibaki to play by the rules and he did not. I do not see an end to this, because criminal elements are beginning to take advantage of the situation. The police are staying at their stations to protect members of the president's tribe who's houses have been burnt to the ground. Nobody is protecting the public from criminal elements. Groups of hungry people are attacking anybody they think has food. All because somebody will not accept defeat. My mother, who is living in the relative safety of her own tribal boundaries is worried that if there is no resolution within a weeks time things will escalate. Imagine having no electricity, no running water, no health services, no gas, and then no food. There will be more bloodshed as people try to survive. The trust has been broken and africans are big on trust. My mother says Kenya will soon be like Rwanda during the genocide era. This is all so disturbing and should be resolved quickly.

Martin, Houston TX (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 1:59 PM)

I spent most of October in Kenya, Nakuru and its slum Barut. I met so many kind, honest people. Yes, most of them were young--30 and under. They had such hope, such endurance. I spent much time at Hopewell Schools in Barut and took 14 students to Nakuru National Park. It was the highlight of my stay there. Today, I finally heard that Nelly was safe. She is a Kikuya. Vitalice, the other founder of Hopewell School, is a Lao. They set a fine example for the 600 young people who attend Hopewell. I pray that corruption (which is rampant I'm told) and tribal animosity can be curtailed and that Kenya becomes a strong financial center in East Africa where all children eat every day. The literacy rate is soaring. So, I have hope that Kenya will survive this unrest, this rioting. I think the future of Kenya rests with the young people. If anyone wants to know about Soar-Kenya, the Wisconsin not-for-profit organziation founded by a former Peace Corp worker to Kenya, please go to Soar-Kenya.com. We need donations. School will not begin for another week. Many of the students eat once a day--the lunch prepared by three local women at the school. I wonder where they have found something to eat during this unrest. Reports are that Barut has been the scene of terrible violence. We hope for the best for the students, the school, and for Kenya. It's a beautiful country full of many people who have beautiful hearts and souls.

Mary Anne Hoff, Burlington, WI (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 2:13 PM)

Hmm that kikuyu tribe, were they not responsible for the Mau Mau rebellion in the early 1950's where the white British and european settlers were murdered and their land taken. Was small scale compared to the Rwanda gemocide, but the same idea. They used machettes too.
This country is falling back to its barbaric history. Democracy was only superficial.
Its not over yet. Civil war may follow, and watch what the Kikuyu bring on in this land.

Charles Indianapolis Indiana (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 2:38 PM)

Thank you Andrienne for a very positive message of hope. Many tourists are scared to go to Nairobi. In Kenya, there no permanent crisess'. We have worn  down many adversities and catastrophes Watch the current one fade into the antiuities of history. We stand strong because we have faith in God and prayer. "if God be for us, who can be against us!"

Thank you for being an agent of hope. It's cheerful.

Joe Mwangi Symmon (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 3:06 PM)

I am sadden by the deaths that have resulted in Kenya.  However, I applaud the people who are willing to fight and die for democracy.  They are demonstrating to the government that corruptions in elections is not acceptable.  Kenya and all African countries must have fair and transparent election processes if democracy stands a viable chance.

Dian Ferguson, Seattle, WA (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 3:36 PM)

PEOPLE START HATERED PEOPLE CAN STOP IT! THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ONE PURE RACE! PEOPLE SHOULD FALL IN LOVE, AND MARRY EACH OTHER, FOR WHAT THEY ARE ON THE INSIDE! AND FORGET ABOUT THE OUTSIDE!

Alice Edmondson, Haddonfield, New Jersey 08033 (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 3:50 PM)

I visited Kenya for three weeks last August.  Loved the people, the food, the wildlife.  But the poverty is heartbreaking.  It was shocking to learn that the richest people in the country are politicians.  They receive ridiculously high salaries for a poor country and the Kenyans pay the highest taxes in Africa.  When asked what they would like to be when they grow up, they say "a politician."  (Politicians in many countries of course are rich, but usually they have made their money in business or professional life.  In Kenya, politicans GET RICH after getting into government.  This is absurd.  The locals refer to the politicans as "baboons."  "They are fat and steal from people," just like the many tribes of baboons that roam the countryside.  One hopes and prays that Kenyans will finally have a corruption-free government by holding a new election.

Paul Mitchell, Morristown, NJ (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 4:02 PM)

Apparently people don't know history and don't read.
How long will you allow tribal differences and former past injustices keep you from uniting and going forward in the 21st century. That is one thing of many that Jesus taught us in His life and the Apostle Paul taught about denying the lust of the flesh and the pride of life, put it under subjection. Help each other and become the great nation that you potentially are!! The Europeans used division as a way of stealing wealth from cultures. I being a from the Cherokee Nation of the USA can attest and be a witness about divide and conquer.

Yimeyahu, Macon,Ga. (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 4:17 PM)

The elections in Kenya were openly rigged and all Kenyans of different ethnicities know this. The “sworn in” president is occupying this role illegally and has to plan for transition. The Kenya people voted for change and this is not what they received. Today, they are not politically naive and understand that the right to choose leadership is inalienable in today’s global democratic model regardless of geography. Pray for this country.

TIMOTHY, SAN DIEGO, CA (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 5:08 PM)

Until the people join together in unity and not by tribes, they deserve whatever happens to their country.In America we fought for a free and democratic society, so we enjoy these rights. If you don't change your country then your probably better off having another nation to take over your govt, but don't bother asking the USA because your problems are the result of other countries policy (Ahem-Belgium or some other Eurapean nation. Were stuck in S.Korea because they won't defend themselves without the US spilling our soldiers blood or propping up the country with American money.

Bob D (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 5:38 PM)

srf1802,.illinois..kenya sounds like obama
needs no help to unite the states he does not own
my inumerable assets to claim further incrimination.
stay away fiend.barakObama....

Peninnah Hundinlieb,Cleveland,Ohio (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 6:04 PM)

Our leaders need to teach INTEGRITY and what it means.  I believe that trait will take care of the world.

Jeff Poitevint, Augusta, Ga, (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 7:33 PM)

This article has got nothing to do with Kenyans.  It's all about a foreigner's superficial experience.  Kenyans are faced with a very serious crisis. I find your caption and ensuing meaningless article very insulting.

Susan, Washington DC (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 8:25 PM)

Beinh a refugee is not a joke and I feel bitter every time I read Kenyan negative news. It hurts so much to see Africa deteroriating as years go by. When will corruption end? Why cannot African leaders sympathize with their own citizens? Why cannot leaders realize that more people are now educated and know what is wrong and right? When will any African have a life? We live in foreign countries but whatever we make goes back home to feed our relatives whose jobs have been retrenched because the corruption of our African leaders or whose jobs are given in the tribal libe because they do not belong to the ethnic group of the rulling president. When will we have a life, and how long will we suffer of stress. I am a student and everytime I think of the negative things in Africa which are just created by our leaders, I feel horrible, hurt and bitter. Why is Kenya fighting? It is because of one corrupt power hungry individual and corrupt Government leaders like Kivuitu who could not say NO because of self love? Why did you say YES and knew for sure that it was not TRUE. Why didn't you sacrifice yourself for the many who have died because of your LIES. You were threatened, YES, you feared for your life but never cared for the lives of many innocent citizens of Kenya, of many Kikuyus who were welcomed in all corners of Kenya to do business, Kikuyus who have nowhere to go back to and young Luo and other tribes who have suffered poverty in the hands of all the presidents and face poverty more than anybody else? Will Kenya really be the same again? Kibaki please we beg you, save the lives of many hungry Kenyans who have survived this far. You are so blessed, you are rich, old and should die in peace, do not bring stress to your life. Please save Kenya. I am a refugee immigrant and I know what it is to be a refugee. I love Kenya and I will miss Kenya forever.

ATIENO, UNITED STATES. (Sent Saturday, January 05, 2008 10:18 PM)

This is a lesson for all in the world and especially for CNN with its Lou Dobb's hate spreading program; that history has demonstrate that the same causes often produce the same effects no matter which region of the world and no matter how well developed one's country is.
The matter of race, religion and national origine are very dangerous; and anyone who has such a great influence on the masses must have a responsibility of what they spray out there.
The noose hanging wave is just another consequence of a climat that reflect the irresponsible media broadcasting such as cnn's Lou Dobb, Fox's Hannity and col...
Also everybody should not forget Hitler, Rwanda were a small radio called "Radio des milles collines" had played the same role in instigating the famous rwandan genicide, and many other tragedies that I cannot enumerate...
Therefore, autorities everywhere must set a limite to the freedom of expression  of the media especially when it is about race and so on...


Rokambro, ct (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 1:28 AM)

I am truly disappointed by the turn of events in Kenya. I hope that a country that has been a beacon of hope for multi-ethnic cooperation can close this chapter for ever. I had hoped that Kenya would avoid the terrible turmoil that is tearing our little planet apart. Thaai - thathaiya -Ngai!

James Nyoike Hinga, Houston, Texas (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 3:04 PM)

All I PRAY is to get my fiances family friends out of there, now. They are buring homes and looting + killing

Sarah, Elkton, Maryland (Sent Sunday, January 06, 2008 4:23 PM)

With the backdrop of human atrocities happening under his nose, how does Kibaki find reason to squeeze such a pretentious smile in his photo-up with a US diplomat? One life lost to keep his grip on power is one life too many.

As a leader of one of Africa's foremost nations against colonialism, with national and international observers expressing electoral rigging, Kibaki needs to step down and sacrifice his insatiable ambition for the sake of peace and spare Kenya of this shameful image.

If African leaders such as Kibaki and others of his ilk lack patriotic and nationalistic qualities and will only perpetuate tribalism or division of any kind, they are fraud, they do not care for fellow Kenyans and must be exposed.

For the sacrifice of all Mao Mao Freedom Fighters under the leadership of Jomo Kenyatta and numerous others who fought for independence, we Africans need to stop seeing tribe even where they do exist. The old colonialist mentality of divide and conquer been borrowed by some backward thinking African leaders like Kibaki has no place in Africa's progress.

If the State of Iowa with 90 percent white population can nominate Barack Obama, the grandson of a Kenyan goat header, as the next president of United States, when will we as African's start recognizing virtues and good leadership characters over tribe and similar artificial shortsighted barriers clogging the wheels of Africa's progress?

It is about time we extend brotherhood, sisterhood and kinship beyond colonial tribal boundaries throughout the continent and see us foremost as Africans.

Dear Africans, let's begin a mental revolution to re-educate our people to enhance human dignity.

Irrespective of geographic locations and linguistic differences, let’s cherish our diversities and promote inclusiveness in our governments to care for the aspiration and well being of all Africans. If discrimination of any tribe is no less than slavery, why do we do it to our fellow Africans?

Kikuyu or Lou let us lay down the weapons and dialogue. Let’s choose a leader void of misguided motives who cares for all the children of Kenya.

God Bless Africa.

Jeje Lado (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 3:17 AM)

we really need all the support we can get from the international community.Kenya and her people have always been there to help those in distress being a very politically stable state. Kenyans, let us come together and stop this. We are and will always be one nation, one people.

Maureen Maina, Nairobi, Kenya (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 3:47 AM)

i dont know really what to comment on the above but at its good to hear that tourist are stilol relatively safe to bring a much needed forex to kenyas economy! im a Tanzanian and have many friends in kenya and more or less we consider ourselves the same people! many things come to mind - what will happen to the east african community that we are in the process of integrating? if this can happen to kenya what about us (Tanzania) especially with the newly discovered gas wells and most definately oil will we have such a crisis soon? we should support the kenyan people and help them in these times of trouble and also learn from this incident so we may not have the same here! God bless africa and may the violence in kenya end asap and politics resume to the table

mwisho mwampamba (Sent Monday, January 07, 2008 4:43 AM)

The ex-president steals the election by massive vote fraud and rigging and then appoints himself president immediately once his hen-pecked electoral commission announces the winner and then wants to say lets power share - this is ridiculous and the Americans look even more stupider for encouraging this behaviour in the name of democracy. The only thing the new president needs a kick in the pants so he and his cronies made up of the previous regime and his hand picked successor the son of the founding father can go back to their coffee farms or whatever they have amassed and let the new leaders in to do what they want - surely it can't be any worse then the raping of the country that has happened throughout the Moi rule and now the Kibaki rule. Who is Kibaki fooling -the Ugandans? Not even his benefactors - the Americans can accept his victory. He needs to go back to his Muthaiga home and count his chickens and play golf at his country club. Let the people bring their real leaders in - for better or worse. Kibabki and his cronies, including Moi and Kenyatta are the ones bringing this country to its knees - they are the murderers - who killed all the people who died in the election viloence. Where is justice - do we send them to a tennis camp so thay cn enjoy their spoils while they sat back and raped the country and its people. Kick them out of their thrones so that a true democracy is created. The Americans are recreating what they did in South America, Phillipines and the rest of thw world where they propped up dictators in the name of democracy - which we know years later was just a show for control and pillage.

Gold Creek, Seattle, Washington (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 12:06 AM)

The essential thing required for prosperity is peace.
People should trust each other and hard work peacefully in countires like Kenya who is intersted in their mother land

N.Nagasubramanian (Sent Tuesday, January 08, 2008 8:29 AM)



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