In its brief history, independent Kenya has gone through many trying and painful times. Some were brief and intense – such as the deaths of Tom Joseph Mboya, Josiah Mwangi Kariuki, Robert John Ouko and the 1982 attempted military coup. Others were protracted and attritionary – such as the Shifta War in what was called the North Eastern Province. But the post-election violence of 2007/2008 stands out as the event that came closest to tipping the country over into full-scale civil war. It was the greatest threat to Kenya as a unified and secure state. But even after averting the collapse of the state, the thoughtless and cavalier actions of the power elite and their cheer squads continue to confound.
The following ten articles attempt to capture that naked moment – the painful absurdities, the desperate prayers, the heartbreaking disappointments, and the stubborn persistence of hope. They represent a cry from the soul, a desperate, tearful plea for respect and honour in this land of beauty and awe.
