NEWS

DAY 12

 

Sorry to leave you all wondering how we are over the last three days.      Things had quietened on Saturday, and have continued to be quiet here in Eldoret.    Basically also quiet thoughout the State.     

For us Sunday passed with little or no suggestion that trouble was still hovering over us all.     The 60+ 'refugees' from around about us, staying with us, joined us for Church and it was heartwarming to hear from so many of the sustaining power and protection of the Lord that they had experienced in these days.     

 

TODAY,  TUESDAY 8th January, they have mostly left us and returned to their homes, or what is left of them - the general quiet continuing, and they feeling safe to return.

BUT people are STILL leaving the Town.    Upwards of 300.000 are now displaced officially , but we think that this is a low figure.     As I mentioned last time it looks as if about 200,000 have left Eldoret 'minimally' alone.           The newspapers are also citing Eldoret as the WORST hit in this time of trouble - mainly because it is from here that the MOST people have been forced to flee.     The Headline reads 'ELDORET bears brunt of chaos. - Analysts say the town is on the brink of economic collapse as businesses close.'      This is a just comment indeed.    A further subtitle reads - 'We are leaving never to return say investors'.         Mainly these are the Kikuyu Business and professional people many of whom have had their homes burned down, and others who feel insecure and without trust in the political situation to give them a sense of ongoing security.    One business man has estimated the loss in the West part of the down (we are in the East) may be in excess of  several billions of shilllings (approx £14m)

 

The animosity in Kenya for the Kikuyu is very similar to the animosity one finds against the Jews and perhaps for similary reasons - they are successful at whatever they do, and many see them as a threat although in the main they are instead a boost to the fabric of any society.          

Prices continue to soar, and it is beyond us to consider the cost of anything seriously - I mean if we did we might faint!!      Rather we continue to face each day as it comes and to trust we shall find the provision needed - no matter how costly it becomes.  God has no limits of course, and we believe that He really DOES underwrite all our need.

 

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Mediators and Councellors continue to drop in from all over the place to try and find a solution - it appears we are unable to do it for ourselves alone, which does not say much for the political or moral acumen of any of us.

The 'President' has called for a Government of National Unity.

Mr. Odinga, leader of the opposition, has refused to consider it, continuing to rail agains the Election results..

 

To me both sides have revealed themselves as those who put themselves in front of the Country, and thus in many ways have disenchanted the man in the street.   Perhaps if a new election were to be held today neither side would be voted in.       BUT the bloodshed, hatred, and purge of the Kikuyu and others might very well, as I have said before, still have happened, and would happen, and may yet continue to happen no matter who leads the Country.      Eldoret is quiet, but it is doubtful if any of us can say that we are SAFE, or that the ethnic mischief stirred up can be quickly dispersed or ended.

 

HOW SAFE ARE WE?

This is still difficult to assess.    We wait on events at the present time.

Parliament has been called to Open on the 15th January.

There is still no 'Agreement' between the political contenders.    The Country still reeling from the blows it has received.  

We hope to open School on the same date........?

 

I will continue to post news as it occurs, but it may not now be so frequent.

Keep up your prayers, for us and for the people of this town, many of whom continue to suffer and many destitute of human needs.      

 

John and Estgher