On Thursday I headed into town to get a feel of the mood on the ground before the ODM rally, banned by the government but which ODM insisted it would go ahead with anyway, at Uhuru Park was due to start.
I took a matatu into town, jumped out at Railways and started walking towards the centre of town. I noticed all the newspapers had the same headline, Save our Beloved Country. The local media has been criticised in some quarters for not utilising its unique position to help the efforts against the violence, clearly the editors had decided to get proactive.
I continued walking towards the centre of town and got as far as The Hilton Hotel before I encountered a crowd running towards me and obviously running away from something. There is only one thing that would make Kenyans break the 100 metre sprint record (we are more of the long distance running types), the police. Or specifically the elite paramilitary police, the General Service Unit.
The GSU are not known for their conversational skills and they had one message for all the Kenyans in town, “Rudi Nyumbani” – Go back home. With ODM threatening to go ahead with the banned rally the cops were not taking any chances in case some ODM supporters had arrived in town early. The GSU units clearly had one objective, to clear the streets. I positioned myself behind them and followed them around as they did they work.
Once in a while they would come across an unmovable force. This watch repair man (seated behind the cardboard box) stated that he had come to work he had no money to go home and would have to stay until he earned some money to go home. He clearly had neither the inclination or motivation to attend the ODM rally, the only orange thing about him was the wall where he had positioned his stall. They left him alone.
Everyone else was not as lucky. Pretty soon and rather effectively after a pretty normal start to the day, downtown Nairobi was like a ghost town.
Roads were blocked with stones and the GSU surrounded the perimeter of Uhuru Park making sure that anyone trying to get in would have a fight on their hands.
All the action was taking place much further away up in Hurlingham a couple of kilometres from the centre of town. ODM leaders had been blocked by police further up although a small group of people included Members of Parliament had managed to walk a little further down.
The cops were not having any of it however and showed up with a display of might and they were not going to let anyone through.
Led by former Health Minister and ODM Pentagon, Charity Ngilu, members of the public tried to engage the police in debate. In effect asking them why they were participating in the oppression of Kenyans and asking for understanding for the rally to go ahead. The police used the usual, “following orders from above” excuse.
At one point a member of the public accused the police of using live ammunition earlier in the day. The police insisted that none of the police officers had used live ammunition that day and if she had any cartridges she should bring them to him. The police insisted they were there to disperse the crowd peaceful. At which point someone asked, why many of them were carrying tear gas canisters then?
The police explanation did not go down well with Ngilu, there is a determination amongst the leadership of ODM to not buckle under the intense pressure to ensure that at the very least the votes are recounted.
Then the GSU did something I have never ever seen them do before. They turned around and walked away.
This lead to shouts from the crowd of, “You are Kenyans, you are our brothers.” It felt like at least this section of the crowd wanted the cops to understand their position and join them.
After a few minutes the road was empty, like nothing had happened there. But as usual it was the small traders who suffered the most, those that open had property and goods looted. The owner of this kiosk, wisely, decided not to open today.
More pictures in on my Flickr Page.
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Dude, thank you for this. It is an amazing post. Alafu sasa, kaa nyumbani kesho. In as much as we need to know what is happening back at home, I worry for your safety.
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Mental, kudos to you for your bravery in going out on the streets and bringing us a little closer to the situation on the ground. I pray that you will continue to be safe. God bless Kenya.
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My friend, this is one of the better pieces of citizen journalism I’ve ever seen. Thank you for being there and for sharing these events with a global audience. Rest assured that the world is watching and waiting to hear what – if anything – we can do to help Kenya through these difficult times and to return to peace.
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Asane sana ndugu!! This is an amazingly brave report, amazing pictures and an amazing inspirational story of peace between the GSU and ODM. Sadly for the most part these kind of stories and pictures will not be picked up by the typical international wazungu journalists there from major news networks who seem only content to cover as much blood and carnage as possible and not focus on really promoting peace and in putting the situation in its proper context, which for us in the West includes the role that are governments are and are not playing in really seeking peace and justice in Kenya. Mungubariki!!
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At this rate you should get hired by one of the major media houses. With all their resources, they don’t come close to reporting what is on the ground.
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Mental,
I can only add my voice to what others have already said. This is a terrific piece of reportage, one which speaks volumes about what is happening. It may be only a straw to clutch at, but the fact that GSU were willing to talk rather than wading in with rungus- could it be the GSU know that they are not facing a threat ot national secuirty, but fellow citizens with a legitimate grievance? Perhaps too much to hope for, but something to watch for glimmers of light.Please stay safe that you may report another day.
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Thank Mental for your informative blog. You compliment the mainstream media in more ways than one. I have been reading your blog diligently lately to keep abreast of the news. Please do not join the mainstream media, as suggested, even if they offer you tonnes of money. They are often more interested in blood and gore rather than human interest issues like what you have here. Of course it would be good if you got paid for your efforts though.
As for the GSU-ODM truce if this becomes the norm during these demonstrations, Mzee Baks will have a revolution in his hands. How I wish ODM had called off the dogs, urged for peace and restraint and then called for peaceful non-violent demonstrations. I bet the serikali ya wazee na wezi would be about to collapse. Peacefully.
Peace.
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Fantastic piece. Your reporting is so very superior to that of the newspapers. This is the type of information I have been seeking; and all of Kenya needs.
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Following the events in Kenya from Brooklyn, NY, mostly through your brilliant lens. Just wanted to wish you well and let you know your efforts are utterly critical to keeping the rest of the world informed. Stay safe.
– Irwin Chen
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Thanks for the info it was fair balanced and no embelishment
Please keep it up, It helps many of us to see what is really happening at home,AS IS with no exaggerations
God bless and keep it up BE SAe -
Trully a masterpiece. Tears rolled out of my eyes as I read your story and went thru’ the picts. I have been out of the country for so long, and suddenly feel connected to my beloved Kenya. Stay safe and keep up the good work.
Irregardless of what course ODM takes, Serikali ya wazee na wezi will collapse because the will of the people will be answered sooner or later.
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Stunning work, taking real nerve and delivered straight. Thank you.
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Thanks for being the eyes and eyes of many who are not there
Thanks for not embelishing or exagerating, kindly update as often as you can
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Congrats on this amazing report! Keeps hope alive. Will add to my blog.
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my dear friend,
i have been concerned about you. how are you? i have tried sending you an email with the address that i have to no avail. is there a certain smoke signal that i can direct to your side? with the limited internet access and all the other hindrances, i can only humbly express my thanks to you..the butterfly on the other side..
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Thank you. This is the kind of reporting that gives us hope. That sense and humanity will prevail. Kenyans have feelings and althoug they may not be at liberty to say it; they have feelings and are not senseless robots.
Thank you. There is hope for my homeland. -
Keep it up bwana but cover your butt.
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It is a good to know what is going on at my beloved country. I think sense would prevail if these elites would use their conscience. They cannot cheat people for ever. The truth will come out one day.
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It is a good to know what is going on at my beloved country. I think sense would prevail if these elites would use their conscience. They cannot cheat people for ever. The truth will come out one day and it is here already.
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I cannot fully express my gratitude at what you have done. I am in Mombasa and what we are shown on the media screens is the militant side of the GSU – may be to make us know that Kibaki is in control and does not need international mediation. At least there is hope should more of the paramilitary officers realise that they are also Kenyans and the impasse is bad for all of us. Thanks again for your good work.
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I echo everyone’s kudos, concern about your safety, and prayers for Kenya. I cannot believe those empty streets. I cannot believe that four months ago we were all eating in that crowded chicken joint (maybe I had fish?) talking about how Google was going to open a farm, and I was just proud of the fact I knew what a farm was when I couldn’t even begin to keep up with the shop talk of this circle of incredibly bright, amazing Kenyan geeks sitting at that table. You guys speculated about the future, but it had nothing to do with politics. It was about connectivity. About what Google would do for the speed of internet access in Kenya. And I guess, for me, at that table it seemed obvious that that future was going to be bright and amazing. Not that it can’t still be. But I just can’t believe how fast things can change. It’s surreal. You are in my prayers and although I have nothing to give, I offer whatever I have. Keep doing what you do so well.
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Your bravery is beyond me! good job
It seems the GSU and the est are “just following orders” but are not very motivated to do the job! I hope they continue with this peaceful peacekeeping. Its a key to peace.
Ahsante Mental
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Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece. This story, in a small but powerful way, demonstrates the triumph of love. As my friend Shane says,
“Even those who have committed great violence can have the image of God come to life again within them as they hear the whisper of love. May the whisper of love grow louder than the thunder of violence. May we love loudly.”
Praying that Kenyans will continue to overcome evil with good, and that justice and peace comes quickly.
-Zach Long
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I think the government will dig there heels in which is worrying, this election if not rigged has serious irregularities which must be dealt with ASAP. Kibaki’s henchmen must step down. I pray not for peace but for democracy because only democracy can guarantee peace in the long term. Great piece of journalism, thanks for the insights and photos.
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Just wanted to know how much I enjoy your coverage. Thoughtful. Meaningful. Balanced. Intelligent. Keep it up.
Chris
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Trackback from baldilocks on January 4, 2008 at 10:40 pm
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That was excellent of you. You mean you are such courageous to watch all these that close? Thanks a lot coz you have made such cowards like myself to see what really happenned that day. BRAVO and keep it up.
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Great piece MA,
The GSU walking away was amazing. Thank god you are safe.
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I love you Kenya why are we breaking up?
I have lived in naivasha, nakuru also schooled in different parts of the country and never gave a damn about realistic lines at all, never gave a damn bout the kikuyu, or luo or embu in short had no ill feelings to any tribe I mean am young and the group I know we do crack some jokes here and there along tribal lines but now nobody is, we cut it off due to what’s going on.
what happened people, what is going on in Kenya, i sit here and ponder does me killing a kikuyu or I hear an embu help me, no no people no. and what’s with the burning of the church, i know we are of a third world country but a church you got to be kidding me, you playing right!
my fellow Kenyan man we got to grow up i do know that racial lines, tensions will always be there that’s human but sometimes its human to think too. I have no clue how we are going to pull out of this but man if we do let the Lord ride us on this one.
its a shame what we have come to burning little kids you mean little children u got to be kidding me I mean little children, they have no clue what’s going on. seriously what about the women who gave birth to us, the womb, you just stole that too.
its a shame man its really a shame, do people sometimes print out this pictures, the gruesome pictures at the morgue, on the streets, alleys and worse of all carcasses of people so that these heinous crimes can be seen by all? and lets be honest here for a little bit each tribe has lost somebody right its just barbaric how these has happened.
now lets talk about our two year old kids, our politicians who of course cannot think straight and know that lives are at stake here,. Mr. Kibaki you very well know you are not suppose to be there, you like a kid holding on to a candy stick. Sir please think of what’s going on and I mean right now. Your own people are dying and you think while you sit there at what you call state house give a sheepish address and go back helps. As these man gone out of that place anyway to the streets and seen what’s going on. Kenya is burning brother, Kenya is burning and who will pour in the water.
Sir please please think I know you are a father think and think. If you keep sitting k have no clue then, you know Raila is not stupid to say I am going to court hello they aint go do nothing! and so will a recount help. Can you guy seek help from outside do something. Man kibaki was doing good till now. Is it really that hard to leave that famous sit for the sake of a brother living is it?
My second born child raila you probably know that they might listen to you and I mean the protesters they are out there dying for you, why cant you walk out there and ask them to stop and I mean plead with them, its time to stop all this raila it is. One thing I do understand is I know the courts will fail you I totally agree but is there something else you can do. Peacefully!
I love Kenya I do I really do love Kenya, we were doing so so good till now. Why Kenyans why, why did we have to bring mama African pride down why.
Get up be proud and ask ourselves what are we really doing. Yeah I know something was wrong with the vote but we can stand up peacefully and cry ourselves out.
By the way I am a kalenjin and proud of who I am, proud of those I have met, those I have befriended and those that loved and been loved by me. I love each one of you as a Kenya except for the barbaric creatures that slaughter little children that to me is extremely sickening and unforgivable. I put this on out high ranking officials remember that the honorable, misters and mistresses. Think and sleep thinking this is all on you.
Love Kenya.
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Thanks for keeping us informed!
Harambee forever!!! -
Thank you for posting this and being the rest of the world’s “eyes and ears on the ground” in Kenya. Your writing and reporting is wonderful.
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Dude I love ur work! Rock on
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our reporting is so very superior to that of the newspapers. This is the type of information I have been seeking; and all of Kenya needs.
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