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February 28, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
After the last few days of rather negative news about the ongoing negotiations, today Mr. Kibaki and Mr Odinga signed an agreement to form a coalition government. Mr. Odinga will become the prime minister and have quite a bit of authority over parliament and ministerial departments. ODM and PNU will share the cabinet ministries by an even 50-50 split. Overall, it seems that the government made some very significant concessions. The changes are to be put into the constitution through an amendment. Parliament will meet next week to begin the process.
This doesn’t mark the absolute end to the problems in Kenya. Kofi Annan clearly reminded everyone that this agreement only marks the end of agenda item number 3. Tomorrow the negotiating teams will meet again at 10 AM to begin discussing item number 4, which addresses issues of land distribution, economic inequality and ethnic divisions.
We praise God that this agreement has been signed. While it doesn’t guarantee and end to all violence and ethnic hatred, I’d say that if you were planning on a trip to Kenya, please come in confidence.
February 14, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
We continue to thank God that Kenya has remained calm and peaceful for more than a week. Tensions remain high, though somewhat diminished, and some acts of random violence may occur, though they are sporadic and more and more rare.
So far nearly 1,000 people have been killed, more than 350,000 have fled their homes, and over 1,000 women and girls have been raped. More than 250 public transportation buses and matatus have been burnt. Millions of dollars worth of property and buildings have been destroyed. Several areas of Kenya are becoming more and more ethnically homogeneous. The tourism business, which is Kenya’s largest money-maker, is operating at around 10-20%. Other businesses and industries have been severely affected, if not as much as tourism. Possibly, as many as a million people have lost their jobs. It has been, and continues to be, a real tragedy. The progress of the talks, however, has given people hope. Pray for the millions of people who have been touched by this tragedy.
The negotiating team retreated to hotel in a game park on Wednesday for three days, away from the ever-watchful eyes of the media. Kofi Annan has asked the participants to not speak to the media, or leak any information about the talks. A part of the purpose seems to be to prevent negotiations from taking place through the media. Now they are talking about the tough issues, like what to do about the elections, what is the next step forward, how can a power-sharing arrangement be organized, and so forth. The media silence helps negotiators discuss these issues without undue pressure on each step of the process. For now there is little news. Pray that this meeting might result in a plan that all will accept.
Church leaders are publicly acknowledging their failure and repenting of tribalism and ethnocentrism. The National Council of Churches of Kenya called a press conference at which many leaders talked of how they had been participants in the problem more than in the solutions by openly supporting politicians and parties of their own ethnicity during the elections. They also admitted that after the elections they called for peace and justice on the terms presented by ‘their’ politicians and their tribes. I’ve heard similar stories from other church leaders at NIST, where I teach, and through friends and other missionaries. This is another hopeful sign. The church might now be able to speak more prophetically about the situation. We praise God for this development.
However, church leaders are now having difficulty knowing the next step. Many have used all of their available resources to help displaced people. Many multi-ethnic churches find themselves to consist primarily of one ethnic group now. Many have been already preaching forgiveness and reconciliation. What do they do now? Continuing as normal doesn’t seem to be an option. Please pray that church leaders may find a way forward.
If the talks fall through, I fear that Kenya will have few options left. Civil war or government oppression would seem to be the likely results of failure in these talks. Even if the talks succeed, there is much healing to be done. People have been hurt, physically and emotionally. We ask you to continue praying that the talks will succeed. And we ask you to pray that the leaders will be able to convince their people to accept a compromised solution.
February 10, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
We’ve been without internet access for a few days. I had said in my last email that we were at a critical time, so I thought it would be good to say a little about the situation.
It is looking hopeful in Kenya. After two days of very tough negotiations, things are looking up. From reports it looked as if neither side was willing to move on its main positions. The government was claiming that elections were fair, and that ODM had access to the courts if there was a grievance. The opposition was claiming that the elections were rigged and that Mr Kibaki should resign. They’ve said that the courts are not just, so going to court was not an option. However, on Friday afternoon it was announced that both sides desired a political solution and that a power-sharing deal was on the table. For many observers, myself included, this seems like the best possibility for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. So we thank God for these developments.
This coming week the negotiations will center on how to implement a political solution, which will be probably some sort of power-sharing arrangement. Pray that the negotiations go smoothly this week.
February 5, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
The city of Nairobi has been calm and peaceful for several days. People seem to be getting back into their normal routines. The poor neighborhoods, such as Kibera and Mathare, no longer seem to be “no go” zones. Normal crime appears to have increased as police are occupied elsewhere. People are feeling the stress and seriously worrying about the future of their country. Everyone is waiting for the difficult issues to be discussed in the negotiations with Kofi Annan. Please pray that the calm remains, so that difficult discussions over serious issues can be made without additional pressure.
So far, the negotiations have progressed at an incredibly good pace, and according to reports, with much amicability. They have been discussing issues dealing with the violence, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and taking care of all the displaced people. The restriction on live broadcasting has been lifted. Schools have reopened in the Kisumu area. They must soon enter into discussions concerning the elections and who really won, and what to do next in relationship to power and government. These issues will be much more difficult to resolve.
Some leaders have again been making unhelpful comments. Both sides are negotiating through the media. While this is a frequent occurrence around the world, it doesn’t make for smooth negotiations. There is a lot of distrust on both sides.
Kofi Annan and his team had suggested that Cyril Ramaphosa join the team. It is not certain that Mr. Annan will be consistently available for the length of the negotiations; therefore he suggested that another co-leader of the negotiations be found. Mr. Ramaphosa from South Africa had negotiated a peace deal in North Ireland, as well as at the end of the apartheid government in South Africa. He looked like an excellent choice. However he has been rejected by Kenyans and the reasons given vary considerably. Regardless, he has left Kenya, and they are searching for another co-leader. Pray that they might find a strong and capable negotiator that both sides can accept.
It appears to me that each side has a different strategy, neither of which promotes peace.
I’d mentioned in a previous update that a second MP was killed. The person who shot him was a policeman from a neighboring group. For the past few days, tens of thousands of young men and boys have been fighting, armed with bows and arrows, spears and machetes. They seem to be fighting along the border between two districts. Reports are that 40-50 people have been killed and many more injured.
Some more churches have been burnt down in the Rift Valley. Houses continue to be burnt down, and “outsiders” - people from other tribes - continue to flee this area. The number of people being killed appears to have gone down tremendously. However, the camps of displaced people are overcrowded, understaffed, and insufficiently provisioned for the number people there. Camps in the city of Nairobi are closing because the food is being stolen by thugs before it can be distributed to those in need. Stories are told of men dropping their wives and children off at the camps and returning to the areas they’ve fled in order to fight. More and more areas are becoming more and more ethnically homogeneous.
I’ve heard stories that “oathing” ceremonies are happening among several tribes around Kenya. These ceremonies are generally derived from traditional religious systems, and the intention is to bind the young men to a commitment, or a covenant. In this case, the commitment is one of defending the tribe and killing enemies. Many believe that if they break the oath, ancestors or other spirits will bring harm upon them. It is an act that is spiritual, military, social and political that can have longer term repercussions.
Churches and Christians continue to advocate peace and forgiveness. Christians that I know continue to relate across “enemy” tribal lines. A part-time lecturer at Nairobi International School of Theology, who also has begun to pastor a church in Thika, expressed deep concern that people were being forced out of the area. He had been to Thika and witnessed this himself. He was obviously deeply troubled by it and disturbed by what his people were doing. (Thika is about 20 miles north of Nairobi.) However, most Christians continue to have difficulty believing that their side shares any fault in the situation.
As a family, we are well. I’ve begun teaching. I have new classes that I’ve never taught before, which means that they require a lot of preparation time on my part. Jordan is getting ready for the SATs. Cindy is very busy with EMM work. The present crisis has increased her workload.
February 1, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
Since I wrote the last update, there have been some signs of hope for peace in Kenya.
First, ODM (the opposition political party) and the government each named three people to their respective negotiating teams. These six people will meet with Kofi Annan, Benjamin Mkapa and Graca Machel for negotiations concerning the disputed election and the violence in Kenya. Each side in the dispute has appointed one hard-liner and two more moderate members. On Tuesday negotiations were opened at a formal gathering that included the two major leaders; Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga. They each made a short speech to open the meeting. I was pleased that both Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga refrained from making any “hard-line” sort of comments. Both pledged their commitment to dialogue and finding peace. Mr. Annan also gave a short speech, and in his characteristically genteel manner chided both leaders for not doing more to stop the violence. On Wednesday the negotiations were delayed. Thursday morning the teams met together in serious negotiation for the first time. After this meeting they announced that they would have a plan for peace in place within 7 days. Mr. Annan said that they have made tremendous progress in a short time, and that both sides are agreeable on most of the issues. We praise God for these developments, and pray that they bear real fruit and not simply promises.
Second, a group of 24 MPs (members of parliament) formed an Inter-Parties Parliamentarian Group to go to the six areas of the country most affected by the violence and preach peace and reconciliation. This group consists of 12 MPs from each side of the political divide. Their purpose is to go to these areas and talk to people, encouraging them to live together peacefully and to allow the negotiations to go ahead as those involved search for a solution. Again we praise God for these men and women who are willing to work across ethnic lines to work for peace. We pray that churches, who should have been leading these sorts of efforts, will also come together across ethnic lines to preach the Prince of Peace.
Third, since Tuesday there have been several flare-ups of violence. However, the hopeful sign is that it was much less directed toward people than property. Sadly, a few people were killed, but considering what has happened previously it was relatively calm. It seems that many people are trying to be patient and waiting on the negotiations to bear fruit. Pray that this patience may continue despite negative events that will certainly still happen before peace is found.
There have also been some more discouraging signs.
First, on Wednesday there was quite a bit of violence in areas bordering Nairobi. Young men surrounded schools, an orphanage, an agricultural research center and so forth demanding that all “outsiders” leave. Police intervened, but many people left their homes in fear. One group tried to barricade the main highway just a few miles up the road from us. The police intervened also and re-opened the highway. Several were arrested and one was killed by the police. A hopeful sign was that two MPs went to the affected areas and spoke to the rioters urging them to stop. One newspaper reported that many of these young men had been brought into the area on trucks for the purpose of causing problems. While certainly traumatic and frightening for those evicted from their houses, it seems that this recent “ethnic-cleansing” has been less organized and less violent than what had happened in the Rift Valley or in Nakuru and Naivasha. Still we feel for those who were displaced and ask for your continued prayer for those who have been forced from their homes.
Second, landlords of one tribe are demanding that renters from other tribes vacate their apartment buildings. This has begun to happen even outside of slum areas. It is happening here in Nairobi, and these people have no where to go. It is expensive to move the furnishings that they have acquired over the years. A few workers at Nairobi International School of Theology where I teach, have been affected by this. We’ve helped one maintenance worker move his belongings and family back to Nyanza near Lake Victoria. He will move into a room in Nairobi with a friend.
Third, too many church leaders continue to see the crisis from a political and ethnic perspective. The Muslim areas of the country have become peaceful, while many “Christian” areas are embroiled in violence.
Fourth, about 100 MPs said that they would not go to their constituencies to talk to the people and ask them to end the violence until the negotiations produce an acceptable solution. They are understandably concerned about their own safety. MPs are asking the government to provide security for them. They also say that there is no message of peace to give before the negotiations are concluded.
There are other developments that we aren’t certain what to think of.
Government ministers traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for an African Union Summit meeting and tried to prevent the African Union from discussing the problems in Kenya, saying they were minor, internal differences. However, the Kenyan situation was the first item of discussion at the meeting. And Kenya was denied a position on an important committee within the Africa Union because of the current situation.
I watched CNN this morning, and I was very disappointed in their coverage of Kenya. They systematically chose the most negative events, numbers and statements, while ignoring the more positive ones. It was very distorted. They used the highest possible estimates for reporting on violence – higher than I’ve seen in any other reports. They quoted parts of statements by politicians, using only the most inflammatory part. Having heard or read the full statements, I noticed that some quotes were cut off in mid-sentence with the intention of leaving out the more conciliatory part. Remember this as you watch reports of events here.
The U.S. government, France and the European Union have “threatened” to intervene in Kenya if a solution is not found soon. These threats all came as the negotiations were started. The timing of the statements was certainly unfortunate. Why do they make such strong statements now that both sides to the dispute have sat down and begun seeking a solution? These types of statements put both sides on the defensive. No one wants to be seen as “obedient” to foreign governments, especially Western ones considering the history of colonialism in Africa.
We are thankful that negotiations have begun and that they seem to be progressing well. We are also thankful that the violence seems to have lessened over the past few days. We ask you to pray for the thousands of people who have fled their homes; that they might be taken care of and that they might be able to return home and live in peace with their neighbors. We ask to pray for those whose lives have been affected by this violence, who have lost family and loved ones. Pray that they might be comforted, and pray that they might be able to forgive. Without forgiveness Kenya will find no peace. We ask you to pray for those political leaders involved in the negotiating process. And we are thankful that we are safe and comfortable. Please pray for us during this stressful time. I’ve personally not been sleeping well the past several weeks due to the stress. I’m feeling the effects of this lack of sleep. Please pray for me. Alia also shows signs of the stress. She asks when the problems will be over, when people will stop hurting each other. Please pray for her. Cindy and Jordan are also feeling the stress.
January 29, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
For now it is not getting better in Kenya. Around midnight an ODM member of parliament (MP), Mugabe Were, was shot and killed in his car just outside of his house. Concerning the implications, he was not a major political player, so the reaction has not been as bad as it might have been. Having said that, violence has broken out in several parts of the city – concentrated near poor areas as usual. I could hear gunshots, or possibly teargas canisters, from my office. Rumors and speculation are major contributors to the tension and violence. Please pray for calm and careful reactions by the various leaders.
Jordan’s school, Rosslyn Academy, has closed early so that students could be taken home. There are no problems near the school, but school buses take students throughout the city. We are all safe, but perhaps a little shaken or worried. We didn’t send Alia to school today after receiving a text message about the murder. Pray that we can remain calm, not panic, and think clearly about the situation.
There is still heavy fighting in Naivasha, which is about 50 miles northwest of Nairobi. People are armed with machetes, clubs, axes, and bows and arrows. Reports say that thousands of mostly young men have gathered to fight. The army is involved in restoring security, even using helicopters. While Naivasha is not far from Nairobi, it seems very unlikely that violence from there can advance towards Nairobi. Naivasha is the center of Kenya’s flower industry and an important tourist area. We spent a few days there this summer on holiday.
In addition to the political, inter-ethnic violence, criminal activity is on the rise around the country since the police are busy dealing with the other. Also, schools are closed or running at very reduced capacity in most places. Kenya’s biggest economic sectors are all suffering greatly. Tourists, of course, are not coming. Naivasha, the flower capital, is enmeshed in violence. Many of the tea-producing areas are isolated due to violence. The port in Mombasa is backed-up and goods are not being transported to Uganda and southern Sudan, which are also suffering economic repercussions. So, while violence has been happening in only certain, rather extensive, areas, the whole of Kenya and most Kenyans are feeling the effects of the crisis.
In all of this we should remember that the majority of people from each tribe, or ethnic group, are not committing these acts of violence. Most people are worried, frightened, and praying and hoping for peace. Many people continue to relate with people of supposedly ‘enemy tribes’, often as friends. Churches are helping those who have lost homes, most often those of their own ethnic group, but many also are helping those of the other ‘tribes’. Christians are praying for peace. While major parts of Kenya are experiencing violence, most areas are not experiencing any at all, or very little. Kofi Annan and his team begin negotiations today as I write with members of each party. Reasons for hope remain. Please continue to pray for the negotiations and the political leaders.
We and all EMM missionaries in Kenya are doing well. We are experiencing more stress than usual, but we are not in any danger. Life goes on, more or less as normal, though we watch the news more frequently and stay home a bit more. We’ve been watching Mary Poppins with Alia. Friends from Tanzania have come to Nairobi for medical reasons and we’ve visited with them. Please don’t worry about us.
January 28, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
Greetings from peaceful Westlands,
As I write about the violence that is increasing in Kenya, I’m once again sitting near the window overlooking a beautiful garden full flowers and birdsong. It is a strange feeling. I go to work everyday driving through the usual heavy, and frustrating, traffic. The children go to school and receive homework assignments. Yet we wonder if we will be here in a month’s time. I think we will, but it is difficult to know.
Our boss, Clair Good, and his wife, Beth, were here for two weeks helping the mission workers and churches in dealing with the present crisis. As a mission we looked over contingency plans for evacuating from Kenya should the need arise. While this is normal procedure in our present situation, it certainly casts a sobering shadow over things. We, the mission workers, are feeling stress, but local Christians are hurting much more. Please pray for our mental and spiritual well-being. Pray also for the church.
This past week has seen incredible violence in the Rift Valley. More than a hundred people have been killed and thousands have fled their homes. Some villages have been completely destroyed, every house burnt to the ground. Rumors are that various groups have begun collecting money to buy automatic weapons. When guns enter the situation then it will be extremely difficult to bring under control. The death toll since the elections is now over 800 people.
In a previous update, I’d said that ethnic-cleansing is not happening in Kenya, now I am not so certain. It is a scary situation. It seems to me that the violence must be contained and stopped if Kenya is to find a way out of its current crisis. Please pray for the security forces and their officers, that they may have wisdom and desire to deal with this violence without contributing to it.
The message of the Prince of Peace is not getting much notice. Peace seems to be understood primarily as victory for my side. Please pray that more church leaders will speak out with truth and courage. The church has a very prominent position in society and their voice could be very influential. Some churches are addressing the issues in non-partisan ways. Pray that their witness may be heard.
Kofi Annan and his team are still in Kenya. They’ve gone to some of the areas hurt by violence. They’ve been gathering information from business leaders and civil servants and politicians on both sides. People still remain hopeful that Kofi Annan and his team can help negotiate a compromise that satisfies everyone. They have already prepared a document outlining the manner in which negotiations need to be handled. Each side of the conflict has received these guidelines. They have met again with Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki, and seems that negotiations will continue. On Thursday both men met and shook hands. Please pray for this team (Annan, Mkapa, Machel) as they try to help Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki negotiate a compromise.
January 21, 2008
Special appeal for Kenya crisis
NAIROBI, Kenya – As the political impasse over a disputed presidential election continues, last week’s banned protest rallies deteriorated into running battles and numerous people were shot. More protests are being called for this week.
Clair Good, EMM’s representative to Africa, is sending an urgent call for $100,000 in relief funds to buy food and other necessities for the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons across the country, many of whom are children.
“The situation is dire,” Good said. “We must stand with our Mennonite and other church partners here, who are reaching out with compassion to their communities and ‘enemy’ tribes. It is important that relief aid is distributed fairly and not according to tribal alliances.”
Good and his wife Beth arrived in Kenya last week to assess the situation and show solidarity with national church leaders and EMM workers during this crisis. Beth Good reported today from Nairobi:
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What is an IDP (internally displaced person)?
Internally displaced persons are those who have been forced to leave their homes, particularly as a result of (or in order to avoid the effects of) armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights, or natural or human-made disasters – and who have not crossed an internationally recognized State border (wikipedia.org). |
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We have just returned from Olepolos. There are 1260 people in the IDP camp in Ololulunga town, with over half of these children. Various tribes are included in those displaced, all “outsiders” of this particular area.
As we were taken through the camp I was just appalled at the conditions: two temporary pit latrines for 1200 people, hastily framed tents – and looming overhead, dark clouds threatening to unleash the first torrents of the rainy season. When we asked what some of the greatest needs are, they mentioned fuel for the small fires they are using to cook and to keep warm at night.
My biggest fear is for the children and pregnant and nursing moms. Only one infectious disease needs to break out, and it will spread like wildfire. With the coming of the rains, the risk is even greater.
As we drove away from Narok this afternoon, we passed truckload after truckload of people relocating, all their worldly goods piled high.
Clair Good said, “Mennonite leaders are discussing ways in which they can learn from this disaster and teach the members how to respond in times of violence and hatred.”
So far EMM has released limited emergency funding, which is being distributed through partner churches to supply the emergency needs of displaced persons, but Good says, “The needs are great. We are talking with national church leaders about how to respond further to this catastrophe as more funds become available.”
Visit emm.org/kenyacrisis for continued updates from Kenya.
Checks or online donations to EMM for emergency assistance to Kenya should be designated “Kenya relief”; any funds received in excess of the need in Kenya will be used for similar purposes elsewhere. Please continue to pray for peace and justice in Kenya.
-Jewel Showalter and other EMM staff
January 21, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
The situation in Kenya remains rather depressing, with a few signs of hope here and there.
The opposition, ODM, held three days of demonstrations, from Wednesday to Friday. There was not much in the way of peace. In a few, more isolated towns, cooperation between protestors and police allowed for more limited and peaceful demonstrations. But around the country police shot and killed more than 50 people in ‘running battles’ with demonstrators. Many more of course were injured. At least one policeman was killed by demonstrators. A 2-kilometer (more than ½ mile) section of railroad track was torn up in the Kibera slums by ODM supporters. This railway supplies western Kenya and Uganda.
In many parts of the country ethnic clashes began again, if they had every really stopped. Bows and arrows, spears and machetes are now being used. The appearance of tribal-based armed ‘militia groups’ is a discouraging sign.
In many parts of the city, people have been staying in their houses almost continuously for three weeks. Road blocks, manned by young men, are set up to prevent people from the ‘wrong’ tribe from entering a neighborhood. Food prices have gone up dramatically, and just going to a shop has become difficult and risky. Some employers have demanded that employees show up for work, and they are forced to cross ‘enemy’ territory on the way to work. Pray for people living in these poorer areas of Nairobi.
Yesterday, we attended Mamlaka Hill Chapel for the first time. A young man performed a powerful skit about tribalism and the problems in Kenya. He seriously addressed some of the prejudices and atrocities that have happened. Pastor Nyachae said that the current crisis had exposed the deeper problem of tribal prejudice in Kenya. He said that it was no longer simply a political problem between ODM and PNU. He indicated that Kenyans must face the truth of their own tribal prejudices if a solution is to be found. He also said that Kenyans had stopped praying as Christians, but had begun praying as politicians. People were now praying for ODM to stop mass action (if they supported Kibaki), or for Kibaki to step down, etc. Kenyans, including Christians, were looking toward political leaders for salvation, rather than toward God. It was a powerful message, which seemed to have an effect on much of the congregation.
In our prayers, we are not praying that one side or the other prevails, but that peace might be found. Then the problems of tribal prejudice and inequality might be addressed by the church and the society. I am worried that if the current inter-ethnic violence continues then Kenya may descend into all out civil war, as reprisals, and reprisals against reprisals, begin to occur. Please pray that ALL of these political leaders will put their nation and the people of Kenya before their own cravings for power.
Mike and Cindy Brislen, with Jordan and Alia, are EMM workers in Nairobi. The Brislens' oldest child, Jessica, is in the U.S.
January 18, 2008
Update from Mike Brislen in Nairobi
Our family was feeling rather closed in, staying at home quite a lot the past several days. So I took Alia and Jordan to see a film at a newly opened, and rather opulent, mall not far from our house. In many ways it was a revealing experience. Though the numbers may have been less than normal, many people were still out shopping, eating in restaurants, and entertaining themselves – as confrontations between police and protestors took place in the Kibera and Mathare slums of Nairobi.
What was even more enlightening was the realization that these Kenyans, shopping and eating together in the mall, were from the same ethnic groups fighting each other in the slums. A political battle between the wealthy is being fought in blood among the poor in the slums. It is sad.
The events of today have not been encouraging. Most reports indicate that fewer people were involved in the protests today. However, both the police and the protestors seem to have become more violent. Each side accuses the other of being the cause of this increased violence.
From the various news reports it seems that several people died from gun shots by the police. Several more people were killed by police in Kisumu. Police surrounded Kibera, said to be the world’s largest slum, and made a virtual prison of it. Anyone coming or going was questioned by police. Protestors near a railroad track in Kibera stopped a freight train headed for Uganda and looted it. On the local TV news we saw protestors throwing rocks, often using slings, and burning tires in the roads. Even a pro-government demonstration in another part of Nairobi was broken up by police, and some protestors were beaten. An opposition leader’s daughter was injured in Narok by shrapnel from a tear gas canister.
The situation is looking more chaotic, though large sections of the country are not experiencing this sort of violence. Please pray that the security forces will not use such violence and the protestors might remain peaceful. There have been some reports that in a few areas, police and protestors cooperated in allowing peaceful demonstrations.
The local media have been doing a very good job of covering events here. Both the newspapers and the television news have presented issues fairly, and shown and reported on the violence. You can notice that a certain paper and TV station is more sympathetic to ODM (the opposition) and another more so toward the government, but even within these sympathies, there is criticism of each side. The government did impose a ban on live coverage of politically-related events. However, these events can be shown later. Whatever one might think of this ban, the media appears to me to be doing a very good job. Praise God that the media is taking its role seriously.
Mike and Cindy Brislen, with Jordan and Alia, are EMM workers in Nairobi. The Brislens' oldest child, Jessica, is in the U.S.
January 17, 2008
Escalating crisis in Kenya
NAIROBI, Kenya – As the political impasse over a disputed presidential election continues, banned protest rallies deteriorated into running battles. Numerous people have been shot and the scheduled opening of school has been postponed indefinitely.
Clair Good, EMM’s representative to Africa, and his wife Beth arrived in Kenya this week to assess the situation and show solidarity with national church leaders and EMM workers during this crisis.
The Goods have met with all EMM workers in Nairobi, Kenya, including Nevin and Barbara Kraybill at the Mennonite Guest House, Brent and Katrina Siegrist at Rosslyn Academy, Mike and Cindy Brislen, involved in Somali ministries and at Nairobi International School of Theology, and a Youth Evangelism Service team, Ben Yutzy, Melissa Eby, Monica Stoltzfus, and Becky Jordan. All EMM missionaries in Kenya are safe.
Good is sending an urgent call for relief funds to buy food and other necessities for the up to 500,000 internally displaced persons across the country, many of whom are children.
“The situation is dire. We could use $100,000 in emergency funding and it would still be a drop in the bucket,” Good said. “We must stand with our Mennonite and other church partners here, who are reaching out with compassion to their communities and ‘enemy’ tribes. It is important that relief aid is distributed fairly and not according to tribal alliances.
“Church members are finding it hard to find food as employment has stopped for many, and the price of food, if available, has increased drastically.
“Mennonite leaders are discussing ways in which they can learn from this disaster and teach the members how to respond in times of violence and hatred.”
David Shunkur, a Mennonite leader in Olepolos, west of Nairobi, reported that the camp for displaced persons in their community is struggling because of sickness and heavy rains. There’s a sense of despair and confusion. In the same community, a protestor was shot, which enraged the community; a local church helped leaders appease the people to avoid further violence.
Mennonite Bishop Joash Osiro told Good that violence forced him and his family to move from their home in Nairobi three times. They are now living with his in-laws. They are thankful to be alive, but left all their belongings in Nairobi.
Mike Brislen, an EMM worker who teaches at Nairobi International School of Theology (NIST) said that rumors are rampant and as tension rises, people become very hardened in their views and begin to echo their respective party lines.
In western Kenya, the heartland of the 7,000-member Mennonite church, many people from groups supporting incumbent President Kibaki have taken refuge in police compounds; some opposition party members threatened to storm the compounds and kill everyone inside. Many of these people are fleeing to Uganda, or trying to return to tribal heartlands they left generations ago in search of farmland and business opportunities across Kenya. There are severe fuel and food shortages.
Brislen said that in Nairobi, after the election of the speaker of parliament this week, some opposition party supporters celebrated by burning down an African Inland Church in the Mathare slums. The pastor of the church is a student at NIST, where Brislen teaches.
Brislen said that on Sunday, January 13, Ibrahim Omondi, pastor of Dove Fellowship in Nairobi, where they attend, spoke of the need for repentance and peace, as did many other pastors in Kenya.
“Representatives of five ethnic groups confessed the sins of their people and prayed for peace and reconciliation,” Brislen said. “I was asked to confess and pray on behalf of the Wazungu (White people).
“I confessed the White/Western sin of arrogance, thinking that we have all the answers to Africa’s problems. I also confessed the sin of Western governments who have sent ‘mediators’ to Kenya without invitation, and then dictated what Kenyans should do, and issued warnings, without truly listening to either side.
“It was hopeful to see and hear people from the different tribes involved in the conflict stand in front of the church, make these confessions, and pray for reconciliation.”
He noted that while the situation in Kenya has been serious, claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing, seem to be exaggerated. But without compromise from the two political leaders and their parties, the potential for chaos and civil war are present, and hope is dimming that a peaceful solution will be found.
From other parts of the country stories from EMM partner churches trickle in.
Pastor Caleb Owuonda reported that when members of Mathare Mennonite Church in the Nairobi slums gathered for worship, January 6, a gang of armed thugs that had been burning homes and businesses in the Mathare slum terrorized the church demanding 1,500 Kenyan shillings. The church gave all it had – a meager 500 shillings collected in the morning offering, and were grateful the church was spared another day.
From the Happy Church in Nakuru, Bishop Joseph Kamau shared the story of a distraught young mother who came to him with her newborn, January 13.
Kamau said, “After praying for her I learned that civil unrest had driven her from her home. Without anywhere to go she had decided to abandon her newborn child under a culvert. A member of Happy Church saw her and took her into her own home even though she was from an ‘enemy’ tribe. I was moved by this gesture of hospitality. Our church is now giving aid to this woman and her child.”
So far EMM has released $3,000 in emergency funding, which is being distributed through partner churches to supply the emergency needs of displaced persons, but Good says, “The needs are great. We are talking with national church leaders about how to respond further to this catastrophe as more funds become available.”
Checks or online donations to EMM for emergency assistance to Kenya should be designated “Kenya Relief”; please continue to pray for peace and justice in Kenya.
- Jewel Showalter is an EMM staff writer.
January 7, 2008
Kenyan church leaders request assistance with refugee crisis
KISUMU, Kenya – Following a week of post-election violence, leaders in this western region of Kenya report that hundreds are dead in Kisumu alone, and international news reports indicate more than 300,000 people have been displaced across Kenya.
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| YES team members Ben Yutzy, Monica Stoltzfus, and Becky Jordan interact with the leaders of the refugee group seeking safety in Songhor, Kisumu East Diocese. Photos by Kenya YES team. |
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Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city, has been the center of much of the violence and many major businesses are totally gutted. Eastern Mennonite Missions is working collaboratively with Mennonite Central Committee and Kenyan partners to provide relief in the region.
“We have released initial emergency funds to purchase food, blankets, and tarps for displaced people in the Kisumu and Olepolos regions,” said Clair Good, representative to Africa at Eastern Mennonite Missions (EMM). “But we hope to send more aid to other regions as funds become available.” EMM requests immediate donations for emergency assistance to Kenya.
In Songhor, the Kisumu East Diocese, Mennonite bishop Clyde Agola said that over 1,500 refugees from Kisumu region are camped at the local police station for protection. Around 700 of the refugees are children and all are in desperate need of water, food, shelter, and medicine.
The EMM Kenya Youth Evangelism Service (YES) team based in Songhor (Ben Yutzy, Melissa Eby, Monica Stoltzfus, and Becky Jordan) bought all available maize and water treatment supplies to share with the refugee leaders before departing for Nairobi on January 6.
Other EMM workers in Kenya are all based in Nairobi and include Nevin and Barbara Kraybill at the Mennonite Guest House, Brent and Katrina Siegrist at Rosslyn Academy, and Mike and Cindy Brislen.
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| Refugees displaced by the crisis fled to Songhor for protection and safety. |
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In Kisumu West, Mennonite bishop Dominic Opondo is working with 2,000 refugees. The Olepolos Mennonite Church, about 100 miles west of Nairobi, is caring for the needs of over 1,000 refugees in Ololulunga. Over half of them are children.
In a January 7 phone call to Good, Bishop Philip Okeyo, general secretary of Kenya Mennonite Church, reported that people all over the country are in dire need of assistance. The churches are responding with their limited resources, working to supply blankets, tarps, and potable water, but they do not have the financial capacity to meet the overwhelming needs. Church members are risking their lives to shelter refugees, minister to those affected by the fighting, and work for peace and reconciliation.
Ibrahim and Diane Omondi, leaders of Dove Kenya and EMM advisors, reported that Christians from many churches gathered at the downtown Anglican cathedral in Nairobi, January 6, to repent before one another and pray for healing.
“It was a precious time when tribal conflicts were openly acknowledged in an attitude of repentance,” Omondis said. “But any lasting solution must put in place a process that will bring out the truth, and emphasize repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
In this relief effort EMM will be collaborating with EMM partner churches from various tribes across Kenya. Checks or online donations to EMM should be designated for “Kenya Relief.”
- Jewel Showalter/Nita Landis
January 3, 2008
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Brent and Katrina Siegrist with daughters Anneka and Abigail.
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An urgent call to prayer for peace in Kenya
Nairobi, KENYA – One week after post-election chaos erupted in Kenya, EMM workers Brent and Katrina Siegrist sent the following update:
“Praise God for peace in Kenya! Not the political peace for which we long (the death toll and refugee count are probably even higher than we're hearing), but the Peace that prompts compassion and courage in the hearts of believers.
Praise the Lord for the church members in Eldoret who risked their lives to shelter refugees! How many of us would be willing to let 400 people sleep in our church, even if they were not being hunted by a murderous mob?
Praise the Lord for the Luos who are opening their homes to Kikuyus, and for Kikuyus who are opening their homes to Luos.
Praise the Lord for church leaders who are talking with politicians, and for drivers who are ferrying refugees.
Praise the Lord for all of the fathers and mothers, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters, grandparents, cousins, and neighbors who are caring for the children of Kenya – even if they lack food or must sleep in the forest.
Praise the Lord for the tribally mixed villages who are not fighting – even if they are few.
Praise the Lord for the people all over the world who are praying for Kenya.
We are safe but a bit depressed by the news. We have friends in danger, and the news doesn't sound hopeful. At the moment, our houseworker's family is moving out of the village where her husband serves as the pastor of a vibrant church. An earlier peace agreement between the tribes of that village seems to be breaking down. A small orphanage to which we relate has also sought refuge. The children are fasting and praying for their country. One of my former YES teammates has been hiding in the forest with her four-year-old daughter for five days without food. ”
Other EMM workers in the country include Nevin and Barbara Kraybill at the Mennonite Guest House in Nairobi, and a four-member Youth Evangelism Service team: Ben Yutzy, Melissa Eby, Monica Stoltzfus, and Becky Jordan in Kisumu. Michael and Cindy Brislen and family, also EMM workers in Nairobi, were in Djibouti when the crisis erupted; they have remained there.
In addition to the mission team, Clair Good, representative to Africa for EMM, has been in close contact with Kenyan church leaders from a variety of tribes: Philip Okeyo (general secretary of Kenya Mennonite Church) in Migori, Ibrahim Omondi (pastor of Dove Kenya) in Nairobi, Joseph Kamau (pastor of Happy Church) in Nakuru, David Shunkur (leader in the Olepolos Mennonite Church), and Clyde Agola, a Mennonite pastor in Kisumu where the YES team is serving.
“The Kenyan leaders all say they have never seen such turmoil, and request our earnest prayers for peace,” Good said. “All these EMM partners are actively working for peace and reconciliation in their communities. Some are risking their own safety as they shelter refugees from ‘enemy’ tribes.”
In closing their letter, the Siegrists quoted South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu: "Goodness is stronger than evil. Love is stronger than hate. Light is stronger than darkness. Victory is ours through him who loves us." Tutu has flown to Kenya to mediate in the crisis, which was triggered by claims of vote rigging in the December 27 presidential election.
Brent and Katrina Siegrist serve on the staff of Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi.
- Jewel Showalter is an EMM staff writer.
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