I can't believe that there is nothing on here about what's happening in Kenya.

[Hecate]

I am so surprised.

here

here

here

here

here

and here too

I can't watch it. Or listen to it.

It's been talked about a bit here.

For some of us its all we can think about at the moment

Is mytwopenceworth about? Her dh's family is from Nairobi I'd like to know how they are.

I have been listening to the news hourly to keep up with what is happening, it is so, so sad. I know feck all about the political situation there and apart from the fact that the election was rigged and that the opposition supporters have killed members of the falsely re-elected prime ministers tribe, I have no idea about it.
I did have to turn off the news yesterday when the report of the baby being thrown back into the fire was on

I am mytwopenceworth! It's close to my heart, which is why I have been wondering why it appears that nobody cares, when they care about lesser stuff that happens in other countries.

Yes, we have run up a massive bill talking to everyone. Family and friends are all fine. Scared and horrified, but fine.

oh phew H, I have been wondering and worrying, but have not had too much time to post being stuck at my ILs with bags packed and ready to go.

Its such depressing news both for the people of Kenya in terms of their hopes of finally being able to vote in a truly democratic election and for the economy which has been so stable and growing well.

H, have dh's family been able to get around much or are they stuck at home? Can they get their hands on provisons easily enough?

I have been thinking about it a lot, the burning thing was horrific.

You're still going? Bloody hell, bad timing isn't it?

If it's any consolation, my family say that for them, it's pretty much business as usual. The trouble is in the shantys and 'normal life' is resuming for many. My family are all still going to work and just living as normal.

they're bloody upset though. Massive step backwards, isn't it?

I am quite worried for them since we are kikuyus and the hate is, by all accounts, being poured our way!

yep, we were due to leave on Tues but have postponed til Saturday, the house is in the container (hopefully not on the ship stuck in the Straits of Dover ) and is let, the car is sold and we exist from 3 suitcases. We are all climbing the walls. Obviously we knew that there may be some issues post election but never in our wildest thoughts imagined it would be as bad as this.

I'm glad your family is carrying on 'as normal' I think from those I have spoken to that most people are trying to do just that. Again the reporting we see over here is mainly of the unrest in shanty towns where sadly there is often unrest due to the dire conditions most people live in there.

I do care, just feel very helpless watching it. Hecate, I hope your family and friends stay safe. It must be awful to be watching what is going on and being so far away from them.

Which of course H, is vastly unfair as many kikuyus voted for Odinga Its always the underlying tribal issues that surface at a time like this and IMO are used as an excuse for violence.

Yes. You are right. they are used as excuses. I don't even think there ARE 'tribal issues' any more, not like it used to be - FFS, many of the younger generation barely even remember which tribe they are, ime Some of my neices can't even speak Kikuyu!

I hate the way that the reporting gives the impression that the whole of Kenya lives like that, in the shanty towns with the dirt floors and the bare feet. I hate the way the media is using this situation as well.

Angry, impoverished people with no hope of improving their circumstances. That's what's at the core of this violence, not what tribe they are.

I totally agree and feel quite annoyed at the portrayal of the situation by the media. OK so what happened in Eldoret with the church was just awful but focus instead on what a strong nation Kenya is and how it is a hope for Africa with plenty of well educated people who want to work hard to help eradicate poverty and improve their lot.

I know. But the west has an agenda and is invested in keeping them poor, dependent and compliant. And away from links with China and Russia .

Moving swiftly on before the red mist descends.....

Good luck for Saturday. Whereabouts did you say you'll be living? Will you know many people?

Oh, and the computers are still stuck at Mombasa, waiting to be transferred to the dry dock at Nairobi. God knows how long that'll take! Apparently, Mombasa is totally blocked up (cargo, not trouble!) When they FINALLY get there, you could see how they are getting on with them. [cheeky]

Are they STILL in Mombasa? Oh hell what a nuisance. I was hoping they were well on their way by now. We have found a house in Kitisuru. Once the calm descends I shall be over to your school like a shot, I can't wait Send me your email address and then I can send you my contact details.

Must go now and by civilised to the IL, just in case we need to stay here for an extra week

Fingers crossed for the next few days and I'm glad I've found you again

I have long since stopped looking for much discussion of current affairs on mumsnet. Very different from even a few years ago, I'm afraid. I write as someone with a very longstanding interest in Kenya (I did my doctoral research there).

I hear you, Oldiemum. I just can't believe that mumsnetters would rather chat about how pale posh spice's foundation is, tbh.

Thanks Elizabetth, btw. I missed your post in all my ranting!!

I find the current problems so hard to watch - what an awful position for all the people there who just want a free democratic safe place to live!

We were going to go on our honeymoon there but it was an election year and DH's best man is from Kenya and advised us against it, he said that depending how the results went there could be trouble. We went to South Africa instead.

I understand the outrage at a feeling that "free elections" didn't take place but killing so many people really isn't the answer.

Hecate - I really hope your family stay safe and well.

cameroonmama - Dh says he knows Kitisuru and it's a really nice area, far from the shanty towns and is lovely and secure and he says you'll be happy there!

Sorry if my last post sounded de haut en bas, I just feel sad about what has happened to mumsnet. I lived in a village in Luoland for 1.5 years, doing research on poverty and livelihoods. I am very distressed by what is happening. I am sure the people I knew there must be disgusted by the violence against Kikuyus in the Rift Valley and elsewhere. It's hard to get much real info or analysis in the media, where journalists explain almost everything in African politics in terms of tribalism. The large number of resentful, unemployed young men, grinding poverty, overt wealth and longstanding ethnic tension is a volatile mix. But, even knowing this, I am still shocked to see this happening in Kenya.

Speaking as someone who is completely ignorant of the politics of the area, I always had the impression that Kenya was quite peaceful and politically stable. What has happened to trigger this now? Has it been building for a long time? That's the problem with the news reports, they report the events but they don't explain what's really going on.