Crisis in Kenya - January 3, 2008

Kenya update January 3, 2008

We are still very safe. Leaders now from around the world are calling for
peace. President Kibaki and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, have
agreed to meet, although President Kibaki said he will meet only once the
violence has ended. The media here have joined forces calling for leaders
to "save our beloved Kenya".

We've heard all the banks are closed as well as grocers. Violence has
rocked many parts of the country. The police are showing a strong
presence. Most are still staying inside if it is possible – many homes
have been burned as well as businesses. Theft and rape is also occurring.
It's heart-wrenching to see mothers on TV weeping for their children. Over
300 have been killed; over 70,000 have been displaced from their homes. On
the west side of Kenya, some are escaping into Uganda.

In Eldoret, women and children are taking refuge at police stations. The
Kenyan Red Cross is trying to help with food in the most crisis-hit areas.

Mama Methenge heard from her adult children just outside Nairobi city
center. The older men in their estate gathered all the men and boys over
the age of 15 and stood around their neighborhood to protect the lives of
women and children as well as property for the whole night. Even her
daughter and granddaughter kept large knives next to them inside their
home. She heard that two would-be attackers were killed last night. The
large group of attackers has vowed to return tonight.

Pastor Margaret, a friend in Soweto slums, says the Mungiki distributed
letters two days ago saying they were coming to kill. The Mungiki are a
violent religious cult with tribal origins. Don and I prayed for many
hours. Last night, she reports hearing screams, cries, and people running
all last night. She said people were killed and raped, but she doesn't
know how many. The Mungiki have vowed to return tonight.

Per BBC News, the today's planned opposition rally in Nairobi was
postponed until Tuesday. The para-military units arrived early and
surrounded the Uhuru Park, preventing anyone from entering. Also, units
were sent to Kibera slums, where many opposition supporters live, and
prevented anyone from leaving. There, the police used tear gas and water
cannons to contain the crowd.

Our hearts are so heavy. People have lost family members and they've lost
their livelihood (and there is no insurance to re-build). A friend in
western Kenya has called telling us they've run out of food and phone
credits. "We have phones and we have money, but we can't use them. There's
no food and there's no phone credit."

We thank you for continuing to pray. We remain in this world, but not of
it. As one Catholic bishop said, "We [as Christians] are prisoners of
hope," and so our hearts steadfast by the knowledge that Christ reigns
eternally supreme despite these temporal concerns.