Riots in Kenya

Many of you will have heard in the news of the crisis in Kenya since the election results were announced in December 2007! The opposition party has challenged the result, which saw the incumbent president Kibaki returned to office. Many independent observers believe the result was rigged.

The demonstrations and rioting that followed have led to the death of several hundred people and much of the killing seems to be tribally motivated. The governing Kikuyu tribe have been targeted by the opposition, which is mainly Luo. The Kikuyu have then retaliated and very quickly chaos has spread.

Slum areas of Nairobi have been badly hit with hundreds of people being evicted, fleeing for their lives, or having their homes burned. Many are now homeless finding shelter at sports stadiums or at the show ground.

The situation remains tense as peace talks broke down on Friday and the opposition has called for more demonstrations this week starting Tuesday until Friday. This is a discouraging development as things had begun to quieten down but the demonstrations could very easily spark more violence. People are already nervous about moving around and the children who were going to return to school this week will no longer do so.

Further information can be found on the BBC News web site.

Pamoja families

We have spoken to Daniel Mathuva (Pamoja Country co-ordinator) this past week. One of the worst areas that experienced violence was the Kawangware slum area. This is one area in which Pamoja works and sponsors children to go to school. We do not know the full extent of the impact on Pamoja families but do know of some families that are homeless. Most shops have remained closed and many have been looted.The food supply chain has been disrupted around the country and as a result food prices have more than tripled. People are coming to the churches looking for help, shelter and food. Many mothers are saying that the only thing they have to feed their children is water.

Kisumu

Kisumu is another area that experienced much rioting. Millicent who runs the Pamoja Care Centre outside Kisumu (in Magina) has sent a message to all the kids at the Centre not to come back after their break with their families and guardians because of the violence in that area and the lack of food.

How can we help?

We have had requests for assistance at this very difficult time. Daniel has visitors to his church everyday looking for help and the church wants to assist, not only with food but with temporary shelter. Some families have have lost all their things so blankets, sheets, cooking pots, stoves, utensils are all needed to help these people to become independent again.

Please consider helping our brothers and sisters in Kenya at this time!

Please PRAY:

• for peace and a resolution to the fighting
• for a just resolution of the crisis
• for churches as they seek to help those around them
• for those affected - that they can piece their lives together again quickly
• for the children who have witnessed atrocities during this time of unrest

God commands us in the Bible to take care of the poor, the widow and the orphans.

If you feel able, please DONATE:

• you can now donate directly on line via the charity choice web site
• or send your cheques made payable to "Pamoja" to P O Box 341, Eastleigh, Hampshire, SO53 2RJ
• gift aid forms are available on the giving money page

Thank you for your support!
100% of any gift you give will go to Kenya