Here's the latest update from Kenya and former Demon basketball assistant coach Joe Peterson (1999-2001):
"It feels like an addiction. Every day, watching the news on television, listening to the radio and checking on-line for some sign of an end to the stalemate. I am always thinking the end is near…After the rally, we will know more or there will be a resolution. The President is holding a press conference; maybe something will happen then. Certain foreign diplomats are coming to mediate so that will change things. The chairmen of the Electoral Commission is admitting he doesn't know who won the election and the attorney general has come out to say there should be an independent inquiry into the vote counting and vote tallying. Always thinking that one side will back down or that an event will occur to bring an end to the violence and settle the dispute between the two presidential candidates. Nothing has helped. We are praying for a miracle from God.
Both President Kibaki and Opposition Leader Raila Odinga are unwavering and stubborn. Kibaki claims that the election was fair and that he is the President and he will not step down. If any one disputes that, then he should take his evidence to court. The opposition claims that the election was rigged and that Raila is the winner. They are saying that they will continue to protest until the President steps down. I personally do not see either side giving up an inch. Many outside observers are saying that they need to come up with a power sharing structure, but in my opinion, I don't see how that can work. Raila helped to get Kibaki elected five years ago and was a minister in his cabinet for two years, but they had many disputes and Raila was eventually sacked from his cabinet post. The divisions and hatred is deep, going back over 40 years ago. Also, in Kenya there really isn't a way to share power because the President has all the power and everyone else is under him.
The opposition attempted to hold a million man rally on Thursday, but the police were out in force to impose the ban on public rallies. They doused people with water bombs and tear gas to disperse any crowds gathering on the roads in Naiorbi. There were on-going battles throughout the day with protestors and the police across the country. Another church was set on fire Thursday. Kenya is very fortunate that the common man does not own firearms; otherwise these protests would be unimaginable. After reaching the destination for the rally, the opposition leaders discussed with the police and peacefully agreed to turn around. They have vowed to continue trying every day until they are allowed to hold a peaceful rally.
Some media reports are trying to make it look like it is only Raila's Luo Tribe vs. Kibai's Kikuyu Tribe. While it is true that those two tribes are against each other, it is oversimplifying the problem. There are over 40 tribes in Kenya and most of them have thrown their support behind one of the two candidates. The violence and killing is not limited to only two tribes. It has affected everyone and there are many passionate people from various tribes on both sides of the equation. Also, it is wrong for people to say that the violence and problems are limited to only one area. It is widespread from the coast of Mombasa, through the streets of Nairobi, into Kisumu and Eldoret in western Kenya and in many smaller towns throughout the country. That is why it is too dangerous for anyone to travel the roads between towns.
In Mbita yesterday, there were over a thousand people protesting. Some had walked for over 30 kilometers to join the protests. The mob was walking up and down the roads carrying tree branches to symbolize peace while singing and chanting from the early morning hours until evening time when they were dispersed by gun shots from the police. Similar protests were carried out country wide.
The children and staff of CGA are all safe as far as we know. The government has postponed the opening of schools for another week. Our leadership team will meet today to discuss our course of action. Please pray for wisdom.
It is not a simple problem. There is no easy solution. It seems like it could be a long time before things return to normal in Kenya. We are not far from a civil war. We need God to intervene at this time
JOe Peterson"
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