Somalis
The Somali community in Eastleigh has remained relatively stable throughout the rioting and unrest which followed Kenya's national election. One of the apartment buildings was set ablaze in the immediate aftermath, but since then the trouble in that area was focused more within Mathare Valley Slum which lies just North of Eastleigh across Juja Road. We have heard of very little response to the election from the Somali Community in Northeastern Province. In fact, our Somali friends in Northeastern have expressed great concern for us living here in Nairobi. We are considering a trip into Northeastern to visit our partners in Garissa this week, but our plans are still not confirmed. Last night, Paul and Kelly Carline's nephew Kengi arrived to spend three months of volunteering in the schools in Dadaab. Please be praying for him as he and our colleague Yattani plan on traveling this week.
In answer to a question from Mr. Hayward's social studies class: our students in Eastleigh are not back in classes yet. We taught English to Somali refugees living there from ages 15 to 50, but most of our students were in their early twenties. Presently, we are not teaching in Eastleigh, but still keep in close contact with some of our students. Erica has had a group of women meet in our apartment, but they haven't been to visit us since Christmas.
For our own children, Tristan and Emma will be returning to school on January 14th, as their school has postponed it's opening by one week. Thanks for the question!
posted by four_kennys @ Wednesday, January 09, 2008
4 comments
4 Comments:
Jambo four_kennys,
Blog wanaagsan! Magacaygu waa Xaamid; Maryland baan degenahay. Waxaan saaxiibo hore ahaan jirney Paul.
Aad baan ugu faraxsanahay in Somalida ay ka nabad qabaan rabshadaha Nairobi.
Barasho wanaagsan Xaamid!
Haah waa nabad.
Mahadsanid!
Aaron and Erica,
We were having a discussion this morning about a story I heard on CNN and the possibility that there may be more violent riots in the comming weeks. We were hopeful that things were settling down in Kenya but from the news we've been hearing lately it doesn't appear so anymore. My students were wondering if the violence is indisciminatory or is it still mainly split along tribal lines? Also, they were wondering if you feel safe where you are and do you feel like you might have to leave there?
Thank you,
Stuents at Miramichi Rural
Dear Students at Miramichi Rural,
Thanks for the great question. Sadly, you are right in that it is feared that protests, rioting and violence may soon return. We do not plan to move from where we are, but in the terrible event of evacuation, we do have a plan.
Concerning the violence, in many areas anger against the Kikuyu tribe has lead to attacks against Kikuyu property across Kenya and against Kikuyu people living in mixed tribal communities.
With a Kamba selected as the vice president, it is feared that Kamba communities may be targeted. But this has not happened so far.
In other areas, rioting has led to indiscriminant looting that effects all tribes. Also there has been injury and death resulting from police conflict with riots and protests. Many tribes have been affected by this and the Luos in particular have attacked the government as attacking them.
Finally, in the wake of the coming return of parliament, many tribes living in predominant Kikuyu areas are fearful of attack from thier Kikuyu neighbours. This is certainly the case in areas near the Rift Valley.
Thanks again for such a great question!!
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