The end of 2007 was ushered in, and reminded us of a cold, harsh reality that is ‘human’ nature. This reality proves that it takes less than 24 hours for friends and family to turn into bloodthirsty foes, that there is not a fine but a very blurred line between peace and stability on one hand and chaos and anarchy on the other. A reminder that mankind may have evolved into a ‘socialized’ and ‘civil’ animal, but still just an animal none the less.
On December 30, 2007 one of the most developed, stable countries in Africa, which has a powerhouse economy and some of the most spectacular game parks in the world, turned into a gory scene of tribal bloodletting. Kenya, a thriving country, a beacon of African expertise and a source of inspiration, but most of all; our home was turned into a sick and twisted nightmare.
For a continuous period of two weeks, the land which was renowned for its motto and catchphrase ‘Hakuna Matata’, (No Worries) was on the verge of collapse as murder, rape, arson and theft became the order of the day.
Now, almost a month after the disputed presidential election which led to this outbreak of senseless violence, it is estimated that almost a 1000 lives have been brutally lost with countless more having being displaced or separated from their families and homes.
There is no ‘cleansing’ here, ethnic or otherwise; only murder, screams and smoke. Dead bodies litter the narrow filthy streets of the slums, crying and confused infants trying to wake their mothers from their eternal slumber and a new spiral of smoke drifts to the already blackening sky, signifying hungry flames gorging relentlessly on yet another house.
We need your help. In whatever form; but please make that choice and choose to save lives. These people have nothing; aliens in their own land.