Kenya Update

From Jo Wakia in Nairobi

5th March 2008

“Finally we seem to be making progress in Kenya, a power-sharing deal has been signed and the country feels a lot less tense. On the day the deal was signed we watched the evening news and for once it was all good news - the leading stories were the deal and the announcement of A Level results. There were lots of pictures of happy people, it was great! We know we're still in a fragile situation and there are a lot of issues to work through, but it feels like a fresh start.

“RETRAK's partner, the Caleb Project in Eldoret, one of the towns worst affected by the post-election violence, is still struggling to get back on its feet. Our team of three dedicated guys and their families were all displaced from their homes, some spending time hiding out in schools and police stations. Thankfully, calm has returned to Eldoret in the past few weeks and life is beginning to return to normal. Our team are all now back together and although some have not been able to return to their old homes, they have found new places to stay. Last week they were able to invite some of the street children to the stadium for football and lunch. Over 200 children came, many of whom are new on the streets since the elections. The team spent time playing, eating and talking together with the children, hearing their stories and building relationships. Hopefully this will be a fresh start for the Caleb Project and chance to impact many young lives which have been so badly affected.

“Please continue to pray for the Caleb Project team - that they themselves will overcome their experiences in the past two months and that they will be able to help the many children on the streets of Eldoret to move on with a new hope. Pray especially for those new to the street that it will be possible to trace their families, who have probably been displaced, so that they can move on before they experience more trauma on the street”.

 
From the team in Eldoret (08/02/08)

They cannot return home and are moving around the city as people are still threatening different tribes. It seems each tribe will have to take a section of the town and stay together as a group.  The team has visited some of the boys in hospital but there are very few on the streets and many have run away.  'D's' wife is in Naivasha but is safe despite the ongoing violence there.

29/01/08 

The situation in Eldoret is volatile.  Fighting and road blocks make it unsafe to venture out although today people are moving around a bit more.  Our team remain in hiding in a church with over a hundred others - unable to return to their homes, which are in an area where many have been burned.  Families are being divided and some may need to move to areas regarded safe for their tribe.  The team have contacted some of the children linked to the Caleb Project.  At least four have died including one who was burned inside a house.  They were able to take some for food but anything on a bigger scale is impossible.  They pass on thanks for prayer and ongoing support from RETRAK although we feel fairly powerless to really help.

22/01/08
RETRAK Nairobi Staff

All RETRAK staff in Nairobi are safe and well.

The RETRAK office in Nairobi is open


Eldoret Staff (Caleb Project)

‘F’ and family, ‘D’ and ‘K’ are safe in locations around Eldoret but, for security reasons, are still unable to return to their homes.


Latest news from Eldoret via Jo in Nairobi (18/01/08)

“Last I heard from Eldoret was during the protests people were trying to force F to join in, it's a common thing, heard of lots of others, who have been told they must protest. “F managed to visit the street children on Friday, he says "they are in bad shape, they cannot find food as the hotels are not functioning so there are no leftovers”. It seems food is very expensive and they are all struggling. But the highway is getting better so more food should be getting through now. “D said "the Lord has protected us, our area has been badly hit, but we have faith to overcome"”

8/1/08

Violence in Kenya affects RETRAK’s work

Background to the current situation.

The announcement that President Kibaki was the winner of the December 27 election touched off deadly riots and tribal violence across Kenya. Mr Odinga's opposition ‘Orange Democratic Movement’ accused Kibaki of vote rigging. The violence has caused 250,000 people to flee their homes and cost almost 500 lives. Intense diplomatic efforts have resulted in an announcement that talks will take place between Kibaki and Odinga. The capital, Nairobi is now quiet and businesses are opening again. However, in Eldoret, which has seen some of the worst violence, the situation remains tense. Thousands who fled their homes are still sheltering in schools and police stations.

RETRAK’s staff

RETRAK’s international staff are all based in Nairobi and are safe. The RETRAK office has reopened. Andy and Katina Williams were due to take holiday after new year on the Kenyan coast but flew to Zanzibar instead. They return Jan 9. Jo and her husband Ken stayed at home on the outskirts of Nairobi and are safe. Paul also stayed at home but reopened the RETRAK office on Jan 6.

Kenyan Staff - Caleb Project

However, the situation for the Kenyan staff of the Caleb Project, RETRAK’s partner organisation in Eldoret, is very different. ‘F’ the Director and his wife and family have been sheltering with many others in a school having fled their home when a mob attempted to set it alight. They are running out of food and there is no sanitation so disease is a real possibility. We are able to contact him by mobile phone.‘D’ one of the social workers, took shelter in a police station with thousands of others and is in a similar situation. His family is safely outside Eldoret. The other social worker ‘K’ is also safe after escaping from Eldoret to stay with family far away.
We will not know the circumstances of the street children attached to the Caleb Project until the security situation in Eldoret improves to a level where the staff are able to come out of hiding.

Political situation

At the time of writing, the opposition has called off mass rallies which could have caused more violence. Talks between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga look very possible as John Kufuor, Ghana's president, offers to mediate at those talks.

Prayer for:
•    a just and peaceful settlement to the political unrest
•    the safety of ‘F’, his family and ‘D’ who are remain in real danger.
•    an improvement in the security situation in Eldoret so that people can return to their homes.
•    the safekeeping of the street children attached to the Caleb Project

Who can be contacted in case of any questions?
Dave Mann    This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it     +44 (0)870 874 7471

January 1st '08 

Due to the worsening security situation in Kenya, the RETRAK Nairobi office remains closed following the Christmas holidays. The UK Chair of the Board of Trustees and the HR manager are in daily contact with Andy Williams. We are doing all we can to ensure the safety of RETRAK staff and to support the staff of our partner project in Eldoret, who are in grave danger. Please pray for peace in Kenya and particularly for the safety of street children. We will keep the website updated as changes occur.

 "I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord". Ps 121 

For more information on RETRAK's work in Kenya, click here