As the Clean Elections Campaign takes root in different parts of Kenya, the election date is knocking hard and it is clearer that the message of elections free of violence and tribalism is critically needed by all. People are signing the printed pledge forms and many asking for more to take to their friends.
5 November 2007
As the Clean Elections Campaign takes root in different parts of Kenya, the election date is knocking hard and it is clearer that the message of elections free of violence and tribalism is critically needed by all. People are signing the printed pledge forms and many asking for more to take to their friends.
Many have also visited the website, www.iofc.org/cleanelections and are signing and forwarding the pledge. Many people are really appreciating the campaign and feels that it should get to everyone around the country. ‘You should spread this campaign so fast before people start purchasing weapons!’ said one young man who said he could smell danger ahead in this crucial period.
Tribalism tends to be having lots of pressure in the campaigns and many are really not choosing on the basis of integrity but on tribal lines, which is quite a great concern. That gives us, Clean Election Campaigners, a more difficult and sensitive task to undertake because in the tribalism is a lot of hatred and misunderstandings. ‘I can not vote for leader X (name withheld) even if there was no one else vying for that seat,’ said a young lady ‘I would rather not vote than vote for a person from that tribe.’ she said. Already there are some parts of Kenya which are suffering from the tribal clashes and have left many dead. For sure, we need to take the campaign forward fast just in case there is a person out there who might be touched by our message and stop violence in his/her area. One young man wanted to tick just on a few and specific pledges and leaving open that of violence. ‘I don’t want to pledge that I won’t be involved in violence because I am not sure about it.’
Many think the campaign is too smart for us and just can’t work. ‘We are Africans, we are Blacks and we have black minds. We can’t pledge and commit because we enjoy short cuts..and our leaders are no different. I think this campaign is just unrealistic for us!’ This one young man left me flattened but after showing him the wisdom beyond being Blacks with black minds he was so convinced that the CEC campaign was just the thing that Kenya needed in this period. He signed the pledge and asked for more to take to a group of young people, which he is the leader.
Some people have been promising to support the campaign on condition that you support some particular party, and in this case we have had to stand on our principles of not supporting specific parties or candidates but urge voters to go for leaders of integrity and those who are development conscious.
As we approach the D-day, all we need is prayers for peace.
Ann Njeri
17 December 2007
On the morning of the 1 Dec 2007, our team of four (Mike Mwuikia, Ben Ndogo, Ann Njeri and Carole Khakula) embarked on a ten-day journey that would later sharpen our sense of responsibility for this nation. It is one thing to watch the news and read the dailies as they unfold gruesome stories of ethnic and political violence, and another to live into these stories. The western outreach stationed us face to face with the root of these stories and in some parts of the script, we were victims.
What is our responsibility when our nation is divided along ethnic lines? What choices should citizens make when they are presented with bad choices to choose from?
These are questions that rang deep and clear during, and now after, the Western Kenya Clean Elections Campaign Outreach.
On the morning of the 1 Dec 2007, our team of four (Mike Mwuikia, Ben Ndogo, Ann Njeri and Carole khakula) embarked on a ten-day journey that would later sharpen our sense of responsibility for this nation. It is one thing to watch the news and read the dailies as they unfold gruesome stories of ethnic and political violence, and another to live into these stories. The western outreach stationed us face to face with the root of these stories and in some parts of the script, we were victims.
The political temperatures are at their highest in Kenya as the election date set for the 27 December draws near. The Kenya presidential aspirants are of different tribes. The majority of citizens, having been disappointed in leaders they confidently voted into parliament before, now prefer to elect leaders from their own tribe, regardless of his corruption record. This has clearly divided the country along ethnic lines, and this tribalism has continued to give birth to ethnic and political violence.
In Eldoret, we met Edward who works with a local radio station who was enthusiastic about the work that had come at the right moment and agreed that there was a pressing need to enlighten individuals on how to make an honest vote. 'I will try to speak the same message on air,' he said.
As we spent hours in different towns, speaking to individuals and groups, most people concurred with the call for change! Some even offered to help with the distribution of the pledge forms as they passed on the message. It was encouraging to realize that so many others shared the dream for leadership of integrity and that they were willing to play their part as responsible citizens.
After Bungoma town, we bundled up and scuttled off to Busia, which would expose us to our first violent confrontation. We later realized that we had walked right into the wake of a political rally that had been scheduled for later that day.
As we wandered into the street, as was our daily routine, we realized that people were skeptical about the message, mainly because of our names. Shortly, right before our eyes, skepticism turned into interrogation which turned violent and catapulted to explosive. 'Let’s burn these leaflets! These people have been sent here by party X,' they yelled.
Shaken but fighting to stay collected and calm, we sought to explain and patiently responded to the questions that were spewed forth. They still wouldn’t listen!! Some gave back the leaflets as others tore them up!!
We were rescued from the mayhem by a local chief who led us to a calmer zone where we peacefully completed our outreach.
Disturbing encounters such as that of two teachers we met left a lot to be desired.
'These leaflets that you are giving out will not help solve anything. Nobody is going to read them. This country will never change. Everyone is corrupt and that will never be fixed. Should I be given money as a bribe, I will accept it, and will offer the same for a favour. There is no future for this country and you young people are wasting your time and money,' they maintained, even after a challenging discussion. Are our children safe in the hands of these educators? Are we in the hands of the right leaders, who will guide us in the right path, who will impact integrity and selflessness into this generation?
Upon arrival in Kakamega town, we were welcomed by political fracas in the town. A crowd was demonstrating their support for a political party by setting rubber tyres ablaze in the middle of the street.
These volatile situations prompted us to change our strategy from then henceforth. We chose to work with leaders from various institutions civil, religious and educational. This became the safest way of reaching out to our audience.
The bumpy roads and uncomfortable rides took us to ten towns in total, where we encountered challenges and alarming facts, as we drew from each other’s lives.
We not only reached out to other people, but also to ourselves. Living by the four absolute standards of honesty, love, purity and unselfishness, our lives were transformed. Early mornings begun with an hour of quiet time and sharing. We lived into each other’s life stories in the evenings. There was spiritual growth and evident personal turning points as new friendships were forged.
'For along time I have wanted to give back to society, but I felt empty. In the process of giving during this outreach, I gained so much more that I can now give. I feel fulfilled. I am sure that developed nations, once upon a time in history, went through such deplorable political scenarios which today are alien to them. I am eager to learn from them and understand how they overcame and got to where they are.'
Carole khakula (Nairobi)
There is a dire need for the IOFC values to be deployed extensively in these parts of the country where peace needs to be created. Thankfully, a seed and change of attitude was planted during this outreach. The combination of poverty, corruption and selfishness has given birth to hatred that has, in the recent past, largely manifested itself through ethnic divides. It began with leaders, now citizens are quick to learn from them. The rebirth of such leadership has eaten into the hope of a people who once wanted change and are now giving up or choosing to work with tribalistic measures.
In total we visited ten towns, 22 churches, 13 learning institutions, met several political aspirants, thousands of individuals and one guiding and counselling unit.
Carole Khakula