Sun, 3 Feb 2008 04:20:45 -0800 (PST)


Does Kenya as a sovereign Nation need outside help to solve her current standoff?

We all know that there are certain cases that each family, community, and country should and must solve by themselves. However, there are others that call upon outsiders to assist, not so much because of weakness but rather because of its complexity.

Kenya finds herself in a very awkward situation due to the following reasons.

• Both presidential candidates continue to claim that they won despise the many questions and observations by those who were entrusted with the exercise but miserably failed us.
• Both parties continue to wash their dirty linen before the international communities.
• Unfortunately, the police image has been tainted for ever. That it's alleged that they too have taken sides only underlies the hopeless situation in which Kenya finds herself.
• The ECK is one body that has led Kenya down and took us many years back. Sadly, whether fairly or not, they are perceived as being pro-Government.
• The Government's view that ODM channel their grievances through the Judicial system makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately, this system too has been perceived as pro-Government.
• The dead of the two law makers has been understood, perceived, and interpreted differently.

In all these, the key word is "perception." It is extremely hard to change or alter perception.

I stand to be corrected, but by the look of things,without any prejudice whatsoever, the opposition seem to have a case.

If I were the Government, I would have at least did the following:

• Allow the process to continue
• Avoid being perceived as caring less about the on going crisis
• Avoid making statements that continue to annoy.
• Avoid stating that the situation is under control when life has become unbearable.

As I write, my family has been affected forever. I have the all tribe in Borabu. I went to school at Isoge. My brother and his family's lives are in danger. A secondary teacher in Nandi for many years, he married a Kalenjin lady and bought property there. He lost everything. For several days now,he has wanted to return to Kisii but the roads are impassable. I continue to cry to God to spare them.

Kenya has already suffered enough. To avoid more damage, let us humble ourselves and accept help for it's good to accept help than to have the entire country destroyed.

Just a thought.

My prayers and thoughts are with all Kenyans.

        - Pr Birai