Cell Phones and Laptops; Bows and Arrows; and Expensive, but Fake Tests

Tomorrow will be a holiday or a great day of mourning in Kenya based on the major news of recent days. Usually we are well informed of the news during American presidential elections, but this year this is THE NEWS! On the back page of today’s Daily Nation there is even an ad for a special sale of cell phones and laptops at an electronics shop entitled OBAMA MANIA. Much of this excitement is explained by the pride felt by most Kenyans that one with a Kenya link is running for US President. But below the surface there is more behind the attention given to American politics, including the need of many Kenyans for good news and for something to be positive in their lives. Many are also attentive simply because they admire the US for their ability to have a free and fair election.

Many are still hurting and fearful after Kenyan’s recent presidential election chaos and hundreds are still displaced. “Families flee as gangs raids camp” in today’s Daily Nation (11/4/08, p.46), shares that “Families that had returned to their farm in Molo fled when about 300 men … armed with blows and arrows attacked their camp. The raiders slashed maize plantations and … destroyed several tents … Molo bore the brunt of the post-poll clashes in which more than 350,000 people were uprooted from their homes.” Prejudice, revenge and a desire for land are some of the reasons for the continued problems. This article lists another factor: “Reports of threats targeting the refugees settled in transitional camps next to their farms, warning of dire consequences should the Waki finding be implemented.”

The release of the Waki “Commission of Inquiry into Post-Election Violence” report in mid-October has led to varied opinions of how to handle the findings which includes the names of those “suspected to have caused the clashes.” Some want the guilty exposed and punished fully. Others are fearful that exposure will lead to more problems and a destabilizing of the current government. Pray that the response to this report will be peaceful and that actions taken will lead to ongoing peace and development for the country.

Pray also for the ongoing Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education testing of Form Four (high school senior) students. “Man held over fake papers” in today’s Daily Nation (p.46) tells of a man caught “with a set of six fake KCSE examination papers … tests scheduled for next week.” The man “intended to sell each set at between Sh15,000 and Sh30,000 (Kenya Shillings 79=$1). Continue praying for the students taking these exams through mid November – they are the future of Kenya, the young men and women who will be tomorrow’s leaders. Pray that the stresses and pressures they are feeling will not prevent them from doing their best as these tests, not any past scores, will determine their opportunities for future studies and their opportunities for serving and leading their country! Bert Yates