The latest from erstwhile NSU assistant basketball coach (1999-2001) Joe Peterson, a missionary and teacher in the turbulent country of Kenya:
"Schools are back open in Mbita now. The opposition party (ODM) had announced this past week that students should return to school. Since this part of the country is viewing ODM as the government, people obeyed. Christ's Gift Academy had a staff in-service day on Monday and our kids reported on Tuesday, three weeks later than the original opening date. Everyone is excited to finally be back in school on a daily basis.
As former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan continues his mediation efforts to bring a long-term solution, much of the country is still dealing with outbreaks of violence. It is obvious that what is happening now did not originate from the election, but goes way back to the days of independence. Similar to many countries in Africa, leaders in Kenya have not distributed land and prominent positions on an equitable basis. Many of the violent outbreaks are people seeking revenge for what they feel are gross injustices to their families or their tribes throughout the over 40 years of independence.
Immediately following the election results many tribes throughout the country were directing their attacks against President Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe. They were chasing them from their homes, burning their farms, businesses and homes and in some cases killing them. Much of what has been happening recently in Nakuru and Naivasha has been cases of their tribe organizing and planning revenge attacks against some of the other tribes. Armed youths will block the road and make every vehicle stop. They insist on seeing every passengers' identity card and then take out their revenge on people from other tribes. They will also organize attacks on homes of specific tribes. It is very bitter and tearing this country apart. I was sick to my stomach tonight watching the graphic videos of what is happening in what used to be a peaceful country. It was even worse than the movie Hotel Rwanda. People were being pulled from buses and being hacked to death, lynched or stoned. In Naivasha Sunday, 16 Luos had fled from the mob and locked themselves in a house. They were burnt to death in the house they had gone to for refuge. Following that outbreak Sunday, Luos in Kisumu and Homa Bay erupted in violence. This is a country teetering dangerously on the verge of a full-scale civil war.
Mbita remains one of the safest places in the country. It is very rural, tucked away deep in Luo land. No one passes through Mbita on their way to anywhere else. It is at the edge of the country sitting on Lake Victoria. It is almost exclusively Luo, except a few from friendly neighboring tribes. We are thankful for the safety here, but our prayers go out to the many others throughout the country that are facing tension and uncertainty on a daily basis.
I just finished reading a great book about the Christian heritage of the United States. We are so fortunate that our founding fathers placed our country on a firm and Godly foundation. They understood the sinfulness of man and how corrupt a man can be when he is given power. The checks and balances put into our constitution have been a key to the success of our country. The mistakes made in Kenya and many African countries at the time of Independence have cost them dearly. It is not easy to fix after the fact. We are praying for a miracle. "
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