Violence growing

This is a  society with underlying violence and with many instances of vigilante justice and irresponsible reactions by police who often seem to shoot first and ask questions later. Then there are the tribal skirmishes in the north over cattle rustling
About ten days ago a contingent of police was ambushed as they moved north to track animals stolen earlier. Reports give the dead as 40 with others injured. The saddest thing is that most of the police officers killed were new recruits with little experience.
Add to this the threat of terrorists passing through the porous borders, mainly with Somalia. Three days ago a bomb exploded in a matatu (public bus) in Nairobi, killing ten and injuring many others. Many locals attacked Somalis in their community and street chaos ensued. It is believed that this attack was terrorist inspired and instigated. According to the newspaper '10 women had been raped as a result of Monday’s skirmishes, which was concentrated in Eastleigh Section I.

At least nine people were injured and property worth millions of shillings destroyed when angry mobs went on the rampage in the wake of the matatu explosion....Business premises closed for most of yesterday as police battled rioting youth who were targeting residents from the Somali community. ...The running battles entered the second day despite the heavy presence of officers led by Nairobi Provincial Police Officer Moses Ombati. ...The mostly young men were attacking and looting business premises. They also stoned motorists along the busy Juja Road. Police used tear gas and fired into the air to contain the violence.'

Last night three policemen were shot in Garissa and a woman and children were killed in the ensuing street battle. The violence continued today.
A politician was stabbed at a rally yesterday.
There are many fears about the situation leading up to the election. Things are quiet where we are and we are safe, but we will be vigilant and careful as we were before. We still believe in the innate goodness of the people and are thankful for our donors who have enabled us to offer training in conflict resolution and mediation through the Virtues Project.