Katelyn Unger

Hi folks! This being the first global perspective in a while I wanted to do it on something that I am passionate about. Within the last few months there has been an uprising in the african country of Kenya. This issue is dear to my heart and I feel torn at what is happening there. This article will give a summery on what’s been happening the past while in Kenya.
I do not know how many of you are familiar with the events there, so I’ll first give a recap of what started it all. On December 27, 2007 Mwai Kibaki won the presidency against opposing leader Raila Odinga. Kibaki was accused of cheating at the polls to put him in the lead which eventually led to his election. The problem lies not only in the accused cheating, but in the tribal warfare that has been going on. Kibaki is from the Kikuyu tribe while Odinga is from the Luo tribe. The Kikuyu are the largest tribe in Kenya and hold a lot of power within the country. The rivalry between the two groups escalated upon the election of the new president.
The violence first started in Kenyan slums and a city known as Kisumu. This happens to be Odinga’s hometown. The violence between the two tribes has spread throughout the country. Currently there are more than 1000 people dead because of the violence (since the election). 300 000 people have lost their homes and have taken shelter in camps or on the streets. There have been several countries attempting to aid these people, including the UN. These attempts have mostly been unsuccessful because of the violence. It is not safe for anyone to enter into the warzone. Emergency help of any sort has been limited and many left to suffer without aid.
There have been several meetings between the two rivals, but none have allowed for an agreement. The closest thing that has happened so far was just announced. The president has offered to make the rival leader Odinga Prime Minister. Odinga has refused similar offers before and this newest offer is still up in the air. There was going to be a possible reelection, but after a large discussion it was decided that that the presidency would remain the same for two years.
It has been strongly recommended by the government that this issue be resolved quickly seeing that each day it continues, more deaths occur around the country because of it.
These events may seem a world away from you, but I wanted to share a part of what is going on. There are people dying because of a government’s decision and it is unfair to both sides. As a Christian, I would ask, no I would plead with you to pray that the violence be stopped and that the government can come to an agreement.