Kai Staats – Page 48

The Marriage of Kings

Hi Kai,

Finally politicians have struck a deal of power sharing. This has been their major issue of concern during misunderstanding one another.

We are now as Kenya going to have an executive prime minister and an executive president, contrary to the current constitution which is supreme. I just hope that parliament will enact the agreement pact without delay to avoid more stalemate that we have experienced. It is very important to realize that Kenyan Parliamentarians are stomach-oriented people –if someone gives them food can lead all processes in the parliament … they are easily bribed and whoever gives them most wins their vote.

[I] hope Annan be not [undermined] by the Members of National Assembly.

I have nothing to gain when we fail what we believe … change must be the sole movement of our lives. Politicians must realize that they don’t have [an] empire of leadership, they need lead people, and Kenyans are the People.

Challenges

– How they will be sharing Ministerial posts equally.
– Bringing back hope to Kenyans.
– Trust of one another.
– Nurturing and sustaining the coalition.
– Delivery by the coalition government.
– Bring back the economy from where it was and proceed.
– Trust.

The Marriage of Kings
Marriage have to be kept … all means must be undertaken to see marriage works. These will need trust, hope, sincerity, delivery, openness, patriotism, more self-denial. They have to accept that they are servants but not bullies or Kings. Must be answerable to people of Kenya. I mean, they must love Kenya and Africa as a country global as a state. Kenya has been a place to admire; east and central Africa have relied on Kenya for the growth of their economy.

See you brother and pray for Kenya.

God Bless you.
Wycliffe

By Kai Staats|2017-04-10T11:17:47-04:00February 29th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|1 Comment

Donations well received

In review
In the final week of January, just a little over a month ago, the Pistis Academy & Orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya was literally caught in the cross-fire of the post-election riots and gang activities, as recorded in dozens of prior posts to this blog. Through the daily text messages, emails, and phone calls with Jacintah and Wycliffe Wakesa, children to the founder of Pistis Gladys, and with Executive Director Cameron Dunkin, I was able to maintain an understanding of what was unfolding and how best we could assist.

SPAN moved quickly to raise funds for food, clothing, and beds. This fund raising effort was a tremendous success, generating $3,386 USD in less than ten days. Funds were immediately moved to Pistis through Cameron, who remains in Nakuru now, executing a direct campaign with virtually no overhead nor loss of time. From website to PayPal to SPAN to the kids in just a few days, a testament to modern communication in an interconnected world. Thank you for helping make this unfold.

This is how the funds were used, to date:

10,222 KSh – powdered milk
51,000 KSh – maize and beans
9,000 KSh – fruit/ vegetables
26,000 KSh – mattresses/ blankets
26,900 KSh – other food stuffs
9,750 KSh – soaps, toothpaste, brushes
10,000 KSh – material for clothing
3,250 KSh – phone cards (to assist w/communications to Kai)
———————————-
146,122KSh / 65KSh per $ = $2,248

$3386.00 donation total
– $53.41 USD – PayPal 3%
– $169.32 USD – SPAN 5%
– $42.00 USD – wire fees
– $2,248 USD – food, clothing, beds (above)
———————————-
$873 USD = remaining

We are working with the directors of Pistis and Cameron to determine how best to use the remaining funds. If the school’s food, bed, and clothing needs are met, we will consider school and medical supplies to carry the academy through the remaining semester or accommodations to house the additional children.

Thank you!
kai

By Kai Staats|2017-04-10T11:17:47-04:00February 19th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

Post-election turmoil in Kenya, 8 Feb 2008

I received a text message from Cameron this morning. He has typhoid fever and is recovering slowly. These text messages in from Jacintah over the past few days.

SMS from Jacintah, 3-Feb-08, 01:28
“Military r stil in patrol at nite. Its my prayer n believe that everything bonna be alright. People have started their normal businesses, walking around.”

SMS from Jacintah, 6-Feb-08, 09:48
“Yes, its calm. Not all students will b able 2 kam back coz they r displaced, other shifting 2 native land. We’r fine tho we’r not sure wat’s nxt!”

SMS from Jacintah, 6-Feb-08, 12:12
“Imagine, one of the kids from displaced family, we found out the other day tht she was raped by unkown man be4 caos started on 30th Dec. She’s under medication.”

By Kai Staats|2008-02-09T00:32:56-04:00February 9th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

Donations well received

Thanks a lot for everything it is calming here in Nakuru though we still stay in fear. I have been a night gaurd at Pistis since 24th Jan. As our guard was affected by the skirmish and now he lives in a rescue place. I just hope it will be ok Kesho (tomorrow) siku za baadaye / future. I will be writing you more when I will be able to. Rushing because of time as Nakuru is under Curfew starting 7pm-6am. –Wycliffe

The Money you sent through cameron has been used to buy blankets, matresses, cabbages, maize, beans, uniforms for the new kids who are displaced, firewood, e.t.c … we are still under curfew and hope the calmness will continue as we are waiting for peace to return. –Jacintah

By Kai Staats|2008-02-03T18:16:42-04:00February 3rd, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

Post-election turmoil in Kenya, 1 Feb 2008

This in from Jacintah.

SMS from Jacintah, 31-Jan-08, 01:12
“People r burning petro station r burnt now, gangs have blocked the roads that goes outside town. Students n teachers r displaced n has affected us too.”

SMS from Jacintah, 1-Feb-08, 09:12
“Yesterday opposition member of parliament from Ainamoi constituency was shot dead. This has led MPs 2 have fear n scared 2.”

By Kai Staats|2008-02-01T12:25:44-04:00February 1st, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

“Am grateful too.”

Am grateful too. Please you can share the story with the whole world through the e-mail have sent you.

What it is so surprising is that the neighbor you have been living with is the one that murders/killings you. or he/ she can do a setup for you to be killed. people have been slaughtered, blood drunken, and bodies burnt so that it can be beyod recognition. there is also petro bombing that is used to destroy the houses. we are living in a world that is full of surprises. –jacintah

By Kai Staats|2008-01-31T01:31:15-04:00January 31st, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

Update from Mission in Action

———- Forwarded message ———-
From: Mission in Action – Australia
Date: Jan 30, 2008 3:50 AM
Subject: “in shock”
To: studentprojectafricanetwork

I wanted this next update to be a good one.. With some news that maybe the violence has stopped in the country that we love… But the news just keeps getting worse. Although… you have to search all the news websites and non ‘main stream’ news to find out what is happening … Imagine if this was happening in the US? Australia? Canada? You bet it would be all we would hear about… What is the difference with Kenya?

I get teary most days since this ‘post-election’ violence has started.. Not only because I am fearful of what may happen to my friends and children in Nakuru but also for the innocent people of Kenya I don’t even know… How can this be happening to what has always been a fairly peaceful country?

I have just been sent the worst images I have ever seen in my life. They almost made me sick. I think that the world needs to see these to see what is really going on. I have posted these to the website but I want to warn you that they are absolutely disturbing and only view them if you are ready to see what is really happening … they will not leave your head.

Please keep sending your words of encouragement to me and I will send on to our brave family at Mission in Action to help them keep going. I am still raising money for the displaced community members of Nakuru. Please see our Crisis updates page on how to donate. I hope the next update is a better one.

Sarah Eaton
Mission in Action
Nakuru Baby Orphanage

By Kai Staats|2017-04-10T11:17:47-04:00January 30th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

The Journal of Wycliffe Wekesa

24th Jan night, 25th Jan morning
How sad and horrific the last night was (Thursday night). It was a sleepless night, a night filled with distraction and painful killings, estates were brought to Ashes and valuables were destroyed. These are house people living under poverty. They live on hand to mouth/ sometimes it takes days without eating, having anything for their stomach. These are the people suffering under the brutal and unmerciful young men.

About 200 to 500 young men ganged to terrorize people last night. They burned houses properties and killed animals. To be certain only in one estate (estimated area of 100m x 100m) more than 50 families live together. Selectively houses were clearly brought by razing fire people spend the whole chilly night outside helplessly watching their only home and properties extinct. The situation was atrocious.

25th Jan — the day of action
As I write tears flows freely, my heart pains, painful as more lives were claimed last night. Walking outside even at day-light it’s impossible, right now is 12 noon and shooting is on, shots of guns have occupied the air of Nakuru. It is the forth largest city in Kenya and now residents of Nakuru have nothing but running for their dear lives. At about 10am. A police fire extinguisher have been brought to ashes by the imperative youth, whose only ambition is commanded by people in

[lost characters] their future is ruined by the politicians they support I mean from their community. They are ring leader behind these brawling. Fighting has taken center stage in Nakuru town, 3 people have been killed and more injuries, casualties and continued lose of properties is on.

At 10am parents were worried of their children who reported to school this morning and I’m receiving calls from them every single minute passing by. They wanted me to assure them of their safety about students in number turned up for their normal studies and unfortunately their teachers most of them had run for their dear lives seeking elsewhere of which am not specifically aware.

5pm in the school library
How hard has been for me to write this note? This dangerous story from Kenya. The day have been filled with cries of helpless Nakuru people who had had their lives turned into bitterness for no one, NO ONE, NO ONE, NO ONE is aware of what is really going on. I myself have been in somber mood all day long seeing Army choppers flying the skies of Nakuru implanting more fear in people’s only lives they have. The town has been confounded with total [paralysis]. Another estate was burned this morning at around 10 am. This was at the presence of police officers well armed and watching without taking any action. Why didn’t they act to stop it? Why? Why and why are the police who are in charge of law and order maintenance, seeing it kept by the all civilian instead standing and doing nothing? Before the eyes of the police officers about 200 young men set an estate ablaze.

Politicians are the course of this disrespect of the law of the Land. They put pressure on the government that no criminal should be shot by the police even if his own live is in jeopardy. The youth have taken advantage of no shooting order to instigate more obliteration and killings. At Gilanis estate a young man confronted police officers demanding to be shot by the police, of which rabble-rousing other gang members to attack the police because of the no-to-shoot-order to the police. One officer had to take a quick response by shooting the young man dead as the bunch of criminals were now approaching to overpower the police. This did scare the mob to clear place.

Ponda Mali Estate area
It is one of the most affected areas in Nakuru Town, situated south west. It’s about 3 kilometers from the town center. It’s compactly populated; this was the central field of battle that had rocked Nakuru. On 25th Jan 2008, from 5am- 7pm it was packed with war, massacre and destruction. A grade seven boy from school was scythe by opposing sides, an innocent boy’s life put to an end without consideration of the tomorrow Kenya. The name of a primary barred the tribe of the boy and the side that did as well.

This day alone, more lives were claimed, bodies lying in cold blood scattered all over, the roads.

Media coverage
Nothing positively has [been] exposed by the media, I mean, [nothing]; not anything on the ground had been given out as exactly it replicates. It was a no go zone by any living creature that have senses, breath and know. But the Police the gangs and death. To be sincere, people died, people were killed, people displaced, people are crying. Tears flows down my cheeks as I keep on reflecting the scenario of the genocide that is tearing a part the beautiful Nakuru and the Kenya you have ever heard.

No camera people on the site no reporters dared to be their as it was hell. Why didn’t they go there? Were they denied an opportunity to collect data from the scene? NO. Who dares to go the place like that where fire from hell falling on the ground and consuming everybody? Were scared? May be! But am not – in no doubt of anything. Better to live till tomorrow than requesting your own death by approaching death with your camera and employment tag.

Briefly people who were killed on this very day are estimated to be 100 and more, this from only Ponda area. This was not the only place where gangs are fighting. Area like Githima, Gilanis, Mwariki, Langalanga, Ronda, sewage, Free area, Keratin, freehold, London Kati, just but mentioned places in Nakuru. No one has account of the really thing. Gun shots were the living sound all over Nakuru town I didn’t have a sleep; I had to take charge of our places security. If anything I had to be the first person to inform others in readiness of any terror.

25th-26th Jan night
The night was filled with pain where people have lost of their relatives. They ran for refuge in the Municipal Stadium, chief camps, and police line/ residential areas. They spend cold nights in the open places they had tried to find safe haven. In particular places there is no supply of food and fresh water to drink. It’s gruesome, horrendous and sickening. Most of these places are crammed with women and children. What a shocking night.

26th Jan day
The morning was welcomed with explosion of guns heard from different places of Nakuru town. Morning fighting was the order of the day; more houses were razed by fire set by the arsonist. More homicide as combating sides had taken the center stage. Additional in number were dead bodies in Marko, Panda Mali, were scattered all over these estates. Again no media coverage made an effort of reaching to these places to unfold the reality on ground.

The death as a result of the skirmish augmented tallying to 100 and above. I went to Panda Mali to see exactly the incident, the findings was clearly genocide. I wish I had an opportunity to be given audience with the person revitalizing the mêlée. A boda boda driver (a bicycle taxi man) was ambushed cut in to pieces and his passenger who tried to escape was overpowered and put death excruciatingly. I left the site bleeding with agony, going back w[a]ndering on the streets of Nakuru not being aware of the surrounding. Crying in disbelieve, tears flowed freely, sincerely I have never permitted myself to give in to tears. But this was beyond, unbearable. Live[s] put to an end by terror gangs of innocent people.

26th-27th Jan night
Gunshots were [heard] from here and there. Undesirable night it was despite the curfew imposed to the residents of Nakuru most of the gang managed to terrorize Kimathi, flamingo, estates.

27th Jan morning
Intolerable morning started with more fresh at Ronda Ng’ambo unlike the night, well organized individuals engaged in battle. These was the most fearcy and unheard off. The police had now come in fighting. Shooting to kill and disperse them, the lawless young men.

As traditional, Sundays are given every noble concern that most people do worship. Churches could be jammed by worshippers, who come for their spiritual nourishment, believe not some churches were even opened or no opportunity was given to the faithful ones. I was lucky to attend the normal service in our church, but outside in the mentioned areas was real. Though the Army officers had shown their presence in the town and some affected areas, nothing could stop killings. Mungiki had been on rampage mercilessly killing the Luos and Kalenjins were also fighting.

Kenya Army
We are lucky, Nakuru was lucky [as] the planned and organized gang could have swept the entire town. The soldiers, at 2pm used choppers to shoot the mungiki gang now dominated the fight. They killing people, either you support them or you are their enemy. This let to the intervention of the army. Though late, action taken by the army it saved and protected many in loosing their properties and lives. This also had added more casualties on the death list of the dead.

The rule of law, the rule of law has been neglected by our politicians. The freedom of speech is worst; politicians recklessly address their followers not in view of the impact they will course to people.

Am lucky to have friend like you and lucky to get encouragement from you dear friend thank for your help. Shortage of essential commodities has toppled the live of the Nakuru people. Even now I cannot afford to get the basic wants, as I write now my colleagues have been displaced and tomorrow is not in my vocabulary. Nothing is as bad as the devil that brought these skirmishes.

Thank you,
Wycliffe

NB: I have been on night guard since Friday, as we don’t know of our guard who’s not reported since then. His where about, we don’t know, as well as his fate.

By Kai Staats|2017-04-10T11:17:47-04:00January 29th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|1 Comment

“tension is rising day by day”

Hope doing ok.
tension is rising day by day. romours going aroung this morning is that government can be overthrowned anytime and the Miltary will take charge. Am not sure where we are heading becoz the future is full of uncertinity. this morning on of the Member of Parliament has been killed in Nairobi(embakasi). yesterday Kakamega, Kisumu, and Kericho started figting again. roads are blocked, bridges are destroyed. so the future of Kenya is not known well. since things are rising. –jacinta

By Kai Staats|2008-01-29T11:37:22-04:00January 29th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

Post-election turmoil in Kenya, 28 Jan 2008

The horrifying & the awe inspiring
The fund raising has gone well, with over $2500 USD in just 4 days. Thank you everyone for your rapid response and support. I am so pleased to find friends among co-workers at IBM and Sony gracious with their donations; support through employees, family, my high school physics prof, and a climber I met just once four years ago at Hueco Tanks (who then called a wood-paneled station wagon home). We have also received donations from a young man I met playing a midnight game of frisbee on the loading dock to the fairy between mainland Mexico and Baja; friends of friends and complete strangers.

In the midst of such chaos, it strikes me that humanity is able to take on two contrasting forms, the horrifying and the awe inspiring. Gladys, Wycliffe, and Jacintah moved to keep the children safe when literally, just outside the orphanage walls people were killed. You who have donated funds have almost overnight enabled Cameron to make certain the kids have their basic needs met, Cameron himself risking his life to remain there as long as he is able.

It’s not over yet, but thank you for everything to date.

Update from Nakuru
Cameron is getting to town as often as he can, when it is safe to do so, to stockpile food, mattresses, and blankets for the kids. These text messages in today from Jacintah and Cameron.

SMS from Jacintah, 28-Jan-08, 06:22
“Thank u 4 the donation u sent thru Cameron. 2day people r indoors. Hope this will all settle soon.”

SMS from Cameron, 28-Jan-08, 08:45
“Things seeming better today in town. Road bad, plan to stay here for now. Bought 15 mattresses & blankets today. Town busy.”

By Kai Staats|2008-01-29T01:18:30-04:00January 29th, 2008|2008, Out of Africa|0 Comments

About Kai Staats