Since the outbreaks of violence, a growing group of citizens have been meeting three times a week to try to find a way towards peace in Kenya. They are a loose collective of citizens, NGOs, professional associations, CBOs, learning institutions, etc. The group meets three mornings a week, and I attended today for the first time. The meetings are open, and intended to support the political dialogue (they are non-affiliated), spread positive messages to dissuade violence and retaliation, gather information on the violence, and engage the mass media. The flowers for peace at Uhuru Park is one of their initiatives – Uhuru Park was the place where ODM rallies kept being called and it has essentially been cordoned off by military police. They started a movement of placing flowers at one part of the park called Freedom Corner (where we held our Stop EPA day tomato smashing event), placing flowers in commemoration of the lives lost since the election. It has been a really powerful thing – well covered in the national press, and with all sides (including the military police) placing flowers. This morning there were probably around 60 people present. Folks brought up ideas of initiatives and then others would chip in to give advice, or support, and side meetings were scheduled for following up. Ideas included some kind of visible call to peace to the negotiators at Serena Hotel, a Peace and Love concert tour among the informal settlements, folks planning for actions on Valentines Day, folks working with the Law Society of Kenya to develop a legal framework for addressing the landlord & tenant issues, kids heading to Eldoret to work with the Universities there to initiate peace-building actions and counseling, Concerned Kenyan Writers passing on their plans, etc.
It was great to be surrounded by people who are active and involved in bringing peace to Kenya – who are concerned, but also not willing to let their fear of what may happen get in the way of taking concrete steps towards peace. Even though I literally did not have anything to bring to the plans or discussions, it felt really good to be there. I’m feeling more hopeful than I have in a long time.
# posted by debbyscott @ 5:04 PM
