On the 29th December 2007 election results were delayed and followed a very disturbing and destructive measure by the public getting violent, going out on the streets to loot and cause mass destruction to property and lives famously known as 'Ethnic cleansing'. Communities who were good neighbours resorting to killing each other that resulted in more than 1000 lives and more than 50,000 people displaced. Buildings and property raged in fires and a 'Church with a whole congregation' was not spared by the brutal gangs where almost 80 people and innocent children where burnt to death beyond recognition.
The result of the election saw the innocent people of this great country pay the price of dirty politics and greed for power at the helm. The violence spread to most parts of the Rift Valley where communities decided to take Law into their hands.
People who were displaced left their areas of residency for safety in fear of death or violence. The people left all their belongings and property to reach for their native homes. IDP camps were immediately setup by the Red Cross who tried to settle the people by providing them basic needs and comfort. Some people where ferried to their native homes after probably 30 years of exile! At the Kisumu camp horrific stories were reported by people on how they managed to escape Death. Several women reported to have lost their husbands and children to the brutal killers and some who were spared narrated to have seen their Families and little children burnt to death in front of their eyes.
One woman aged around 35 could not gather anything from the remains but only her 'husbands head' for a burial ceremony since there was no space for the torso. The rest of the family was killed and she survived.
Round Tables in Eastern Africa (RTEA) quickly decided to provide humanitarian and relief services at these camps and also requested the Round Table International to participate in this crisis. Though a lot of Tablers from RTEA were also affected by the violence and a lot of Tablers in Kisumu and Eldoret lost property worth millions to looters and arson, Tablers still went out of their ways to assist the people at the IDP Camps sacrificing their safety and with a strong heart. Not only have Tablers shown their true spirit of community service but also demonstrated their will to assist others in need regardless of their own loss! Well done!
Round Table International Board and Associations provided us the necessary shoulder and courage during this time of turmoil not only by assisting in collection of fund for the IDPS but also by morally standing by us and asking us if Tablers needed any assistance or to be evacuated. All your Telephone Calls and Emails boosted our morale and comforted us and our families and relieved us that we have friends out there who are willing to provide any assistance if we require. THANK YOU ROUND TABLE INTERNATIONAL FOR YOUR TRUE SPIRIT OF FRIENDSHIP and our sincere appreciation to all our INTERNATIONAL TABLERS.
The funds pledged by RTI Associations have been well received and we managed to visit 2no. IDP Camps in Kisumu and Koru which is around 70kms away. The 3rd Camp in the Kakamega district will be visited in due course since we have just finalised the logistics and the transport to the camp. RTEA Treasurer Tb. Dhiren visited the camps and arranged for items of urgent need at the camps which included food, baby food, baby blankets since some children got sore bodies with other blankets, baby milk, diapers, clothes, blankets, sanitary towels, medicines for children, medicines for prevention, water jerry cans, slippers and many other assorted items.
I wish to Thank all the donors for collecting the funds and assisting the displaced people who still don't know their fate – whether they will return back to their homes again or remain refugees in their own country!