NEWS

THURSDAY 17th JANUARY

 

 Greetings from ELDORET, Kenya once again.

The night here passed peacefully, thank God, and we had a completely untroubled night.     This morning things continued to be peaceful although the town was practically empty.     But about midday there was more shooting heard, and this continued sporadically until about 3p.m. but not on the scale of yesterday.  Things may be petering out a little.

 

I saw an interview early morning given by the Leader of our Opposition, Hon. Raila Odinga.     He was explaining why he thought it necessary to continue organising his so called 'Peace' Demonstrations throughout Kenya.     He is of course quite sure that the President hijacked the election and had himself Sworn in as President for a 2nd term illegally.      In the face of this he feels justified to continue his campaign to force the issue and have everything overturned in his favour, believing also that he is the People's Choice - however he only has 50% of the vote - about 5 million out or about 10 million on the Electoral Register (approx)   The Nation has some 37 million all told, but the rest are too young to vote!     

The Electoral Commission has confirmed that even after investigation President Kibaki was legally elected with a majority.      This is still contested however by Raila's followers.

 

Legally this can all be sorted out according to the law as it is laid down here, by going to the High Court.     Raila will no doubt do this, but has not the patience to WAIT for the result and save the Country from general paralysis caused by fear and confusion.

His current behaviour and plan to disturb the Government, has even more disturbed the whole Nation - his mass rallies assisting panic, destruction of property, unemployment through related job losses, economic decline due to disruption of business, trade, and international mistrust.        If Kinaki has erred, then Raila has and IS erring even more in encouraging action that will set the Nation and the People back decades.    Even if he were somehow to now become President himself, it is unlikely that he could repair or even reverse the damage done.

The extraordinary thing is that nobody seems to blame him for anything - his own people continue to adore him, and those who one would expect to support the government seem willing to blame them for the present crisis - purely on a political basis.

 

Today the President, Hon. Moi Kibake prorogued the 1st Sitting of the 10th Parliament and stated it would not re-open until March.       It is uncertain what will now actually happen.   This does not help to promote calm and normality.    Colleges and Universities remain closed.        BUT our local resident District Commissioner, has stated that normality WILL be restored soon, though without saying exactly how.  

 

We are thankful that none of this upset has 'come near us'.   We have remained untouched by direct contact with the violence - although we ARE touched by the result of this violence and terror as we are affected by galloping inflation and food shortages AND the helpless discomfort of so many of our own staff who live in the midst of it all.

 

Elisabeth our daughter still unaffected and safe in Nairobi.   She will fly out about 4p.m. our time tomorrow on her way back to the UK.

 

An interesting happening - TODAY I was invited to apply for Kenyan Citizenship and to collect forms of Application from the Department of Immigration!      I had been considering such a move, but perhaps not just now...???

 

OTHERWISE everything is continuing as usual with the children and the Homes apart from the fact that the school holiday has been extended.      We have continued to pray for our 'daily bread' during a period when daily income virtually ceased and our outgoings grew.      By yesterday we were looking at a an accrued and aggravated debt.      We had no human promise of immediate relief.    Once again we had only to share the details of this with Father.      Today we were made aware that MORE than our NEED has been sent to us though perhaps not arriving quite immediately.     BEFORE we asked HE was gathering for us, and we are rescued from financial anxiety as we now also may be permitted to assist many of those suffering on our doorstep.    We Praise the LORD, and we thank YOU all for praying for and with us to make this continuation of MIRACLE possible.

 

Good night, and God Bless you.  - JOHN and ESTHER