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A trek looms for Kenya's refugees
Written by: Martin Adhola
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Martin Adhola meets some of the thousands of people displaced by Kenya's post-election violence. With solutions to the current political impasse way out of sight, families sitting in various camps are getting tired and wishing they could go back home. Today I visited Tigoni Police Station, on the outskirts of Nairobi, where close to 600 families are camped, having been displaced from their houses in Limuru town. Most of the women and men I talked with said they could not see an end to the political stalemate soon, and the only logical thing they could do was to return to their homes in the rural areas. They told me that conditions at the police station were not good as they were exposed to the cold weather at night. The tents available are few and most of them are used by women and children. A young man told me that he was sleeping in a wrecked car that has been left at the police station after an accident. He told me they had no food and no warm clothes to shield them from the cold. Most of them told me life in the camp was unbearable as they were confined in an outdoor space and they couldn't move out of the police station for fear of attacks. Although they want to leave for rural areas, they told me life would be hard as most of them were going to forgo their jobs to start afresh in the countryside where poverty and unemployment are high. Tensions remain high in the area. The internally displaced people at the camp say they hear rumours every day that they are going to be attacked if they do not leave the camps.
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5 responses to “A trek looms for Kenya's refugees”
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14 Jan 2008 12:47:31 GMT
I wrote on my blog (http://www.globalhealthconnect.blogspot.com ) several days ago that I am very concerned for the health of these people. Refugee camps are not really a place of refuge. They are places of misery characterized by malnutrition, disease, depression, and anxiety. Thank you for being a witness to this terrible situation and sharing your observations with the world.
28 Jan 2008 14:34:55 GMT
am searching for Brother Fynbar Murphy, De La Salle Catholic Order, Christ the King College, outskirts of Nairobi in a slum area (cannot remember its name). He was working as an educator of teachers. Would greatly appreciate news of his safety/whereabouts.
Kind regards.30 Jan 2008 16:50:52 GMT
We are given the ministry of reconciliation. All Kenyans big and small need to shoulder this responsiblity: Be ambassadors of Peace and harmony. Apostle Paul could as well have been writing about Kenyans when he stated, "And even if our Gospel(Glad tidings) be hidden, it is hidden from those who are perishing: In whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of them who do not believe, so that they might not see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 2 Corinthians4:3-11. Majestic God open the eyes of us Kenyans so we may see clearly and love one another. Love all tribes as your own idea and creation.God of all comfort, comfort all Kenyans,facing uncertain future. Shalom.
05 Mar 2008 08:35:52 GMT
very good artical
06 Mar 2008 12:14:14 GMT
All the Glory be to GOD. Thanks be to God for great mercies on Beloved Motherland Kenya. Thanks to Annan, Machel, Mkapa & Kikwete and everyone who was used as an instrument of peace in a volatile Kenyan situation. The Kenyan politicians has done Kenya proud & deserve congratulations by Kenyan standards (at least by stopping the Kenyan fires). For choosing to step back from the brinks of total disaster and destruction, we will forever be grateful that they chose to use their hearts and senses. Let them now forever wake up and be alert. We are in the 21st Century not 18th Century or the Stone Age. Beloved Kenyans, we are in 21st Century and the Politicians have fallen short of servant leadership standards and principles. Politicians in order to damage control their dented image, must join hands and prepare the next generation of servant leadership to lead Kenya into peace & prosperity. PEACE TO ALL. SHALOM!