What is happening in Kenya, and what should be happening? How are religious people responding, and is there anything U.S. Christians can do to help the situation?
While much of the world was still on Christmas holiday, Kenyans were going to the polls. All was pretty quiet as they awaited the results. While it was predicted to be a close race, all but one opinion poll predicted that the incumbent president, Mwai Kibaki, would lose and Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, would win. Many of the poor who had not benefited from Kibaki’s presidency had high hopes for a change in government.
When the electoral commission of Kenya announced Kibaki’s victory and charges of vote tampering surfaced, violence erupted all over the country. Hundreds have been killed and thousands displaced from their homes, and no solution has yet been found.
Kenya is considered a peaceful, economically growing country in Africa. How could this happen, and what factors need to be taken into account to find a solution?
This In the News study is for groups concerned about the violence who wish to understand the current state of affairs. Watch for a more in-depth study of Kenya from The Thoughtful Christian available in the next couple months called “Understanding Kenya.”
About the Author
Andrew Schleicher
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