Despite many news reports that Kenya’s situation is improving, native missionaries write of terrible and increasing suffering from violence.
According to the following reports sent to Christian Aid from native Kenyan missionaries, tribal clashes continue, and the need for food, clothing, medicine and blankets remains great.
A letter to Christian Aid from Winnie Owiti of Ebenezer Life Center, Kenya
We were finally able to contact the Red Cross today to assist our church members in Naivasha (a town outside of Nairobi), but they say they cannot help. These believers have experienced terrible violence--15 people were burnt alive in a house and 24 others were killed. Four people were shot to death.
The targeted Luo tribe has been displaced in Naivasha and their property burnt to dust. They are in three different camps there including a police station and a prison. They have been several days without food or drink. Read the full letter.
Report from Sylvester Okang’o -- Kenya Evangelism Team
"No Place in Kenya is Safe" - The Need in Still Huge and Growing Daily Bishop Sylvester Okang’o, leader of Kenya Evangelism Team, writes, "We are still in huge need in our ministry and country, as the post-election violence has claimed hundreds of lives and thousands of homes and churches.
"In Mt. Elgon there have been many killings, and the town of Gitwamba was totally burnt down. All of our KET churches were destroyed and all members ran away. Our two churches in Eldoret and 15 churches in Mount Elgon are severely affected, and members of those churches are homeless. We are trying to help with our little resources, but we need more support to help. Read the full report.
Report from Winnie Owiti—Ebenezer Life Center
"It has been days since we were locked in our house in Ahero a few miles from Kisumu, a main center of recent violence after the general elections, which included civic elections, parliamentary elections and presidential elections," reports Winnie Owiti, leader of Ebenezer Life Center.
Describing the recent election, Winnie Owiti writes, "The process was peaceful and we, as Kenyans, were very proud of ourselves. The counting of votes in the constituencies went very well. There was no problem until the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) started delaying the announcements that were coming through the media directly and informing the public of what was going on. Read the full report.
A letter to Christian Aid from Christian Aid Field Rep, John Rono
The situation here is getting worse. Two of Raila Odinga’s legislators have been shot dead. Violence is getting more organized and everything is difficult. I have been in my house for days, you have to walk if you must go to town. There’s no driving, which means no public transportation.
Everything is so expensive, if you are even able to get it, especially food. We are in a mess. There are several people in camps without anything to eat or drink. At times I have 20 people in the house who need a place to stay, since their houses were destroyed.
Read the full letter.
A letter to Christian Aid from Winnie Owiti of Ebenezer Life Center, Kenya
people who have been displaced by post election violence and were staying at a police station in Kisumu for the past three weeks.
We want to organize transportation for 88 Kikuyus remaining in Kisumu tomorrow.
The group that came today was overjoyed as they left Kisumu, following the last two days of demonstrations there, where the rowdy youth were looking for any Kikuyu to kill.
Read the full letter.
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