Yesterday evening 15 minutes to five pm, the Supreme court led by Justice Willy Mutunga made the much awaited announcement. in summary, the court found that elections were conducted in compliance with constitution and the law, the president elect and the deputy president elect were validly elected. Furthermore, rejected votes ought not to have been counted in the presidential elections. This meant that Uhuru Kenyatta still remains the president elect. Kenya will have him as the fourth president come April 9th when he will be sworn in.
There was quiet in Kibera for about 30 minutes after the verdict was read out. However, a few women came out on the streets screaming and wailing that Raila had lost. hopelessness and despair could be read on people's faces as they hurriedly went back to their homes expecting trouble to brew. A few youth at olympic stage dared the GSU officers to fight but they were dispersed very quickly. By 7am all was quiet but again a few youth looted 2 wine shops at bombolulu at about 10pm. The GSU officers were once again very swift in dispersing them.
I am loving the atmosphere in Kibera right now. Everybody is going on with their businesses. Early in the morning church goers were seen hurrying off to church with their children this being an Easter Sunday. I give credit to the residents of Kibera for the peace that it is enjoying. Despite Kibera being regarded as Raila's stronghold, relative peace has prevailed despite people's expectations that violence will erupt. Though disappointed with the verdict, the youth are calm.
Some people have even come out strongly to urge others to maintain peace while others have simply exressed their commitment to peace. Solo7 who is an artist in Kibera, took to the streets writing peace messages on the road and walls.
A group of youth opposite DC on kibera drive put up the kenyan flag and a Jamaican colored flag with peace message as an expression of their commitment to maintaining peace and loyalty to their country.
Kibera news network and Langata youth network yesterday organised a forum with the youth in preparation of the announcement of the Supreme Court's verdict hoping to cool down tension that was brewing on the ground. This is in addition to our very own Dorothy Anyango, Joshua Ochieng, Steve Kennedy, Caroline Chencha, Amos Onyango, Rehema Maluki, Sigar James and Erick Owuor who are peace ambassadors going round in Kibera identifying the threats to peace and doing all they can to ensure that peace prevails in Kibera. not forgetting Pamoja fm which has been bringing peace messages from time to time. Sincere appreciation goes out to every man woman and children who has taken an individual responsibility to spread a message of peace.
In life there has to be winners and losers, and we can never always get what we want all the time. For those celebrating Kenyatta's win, do so responsibly without insulting the other party and for those that lost, be consoled, let go of the bitterness and continue with your lives and building the nation. I leave you with a quote from Dalai Lama, “Peace does not mean an absence of conflicts; differences will always be there. Peace means solving these differences through peaceful means; through dialogue, education, knowledge; and through humane ways.”
No comments:
Post a Comment