A survivor of the Kenya conflict unveils the shocking moments that changed his life. 

 “All l had with me were the clothes on my back and my phone…By the time l left the war zone my house was swept clean by the looters, some of whom were my friends.  My windows had been smashed and doors broken. They kept calling out my name and saying they had come for what belonged to them…After the commotion, someone occupied my house, one of the looters and his family. I cannot go back there for fear of my life. Tension is just too high.”

Violence has occurred in Kenya these past few weeks following the elections, leaving tragedy, fear and questions in its wake.   Why?  Is there a positive side to this story?

• Kenya has never witnessed such unity among church leaders.  The people of Kenya are praying, the church is leading the way.  The violence has brought church leaders from every corner of this country together.  Local media is awash with press conferences held by a united front of churches calling for peace. To Kenyans, this is a miracle. Churches are now reading from the same script. Unity like that is what Christ wants.

• Churches are now holding corporate fasting and praying sessions for the country. They are praying for peace. Some churches are praying and fasting indefinitely...until the country is totally in a state of peace. This is positive because Christians around the country are now exercising their faith and rising up to the challenge.

• The present violence in Kenya is partly seen as tribal, yet forgiveness is beginning to take root in the church between different tribal groups.  A Kikuyu or a Luo or Kalenjin or a Kamba have been seen standing, confessing the sins of his or her community in front of the church asking for forgiveness. These people are then embraced with forgiveness. This is unprecedented. Kenyans, including men who seemingly don’t cry, are found weeping openly as they do this.

• The Media Council of Kenya recently asked all media to exercise an hour of prayer. During this hour, interdenominational groups had their leaders come out to pray. Not only were radio and TV stations involved but all the leading newspapers carried the same headline...SAVE OUR COUNTRY. It was and is a laudable concerted effort by the Kenyan press. This also is unprecedented given the cutthroat competitiveness in the media.

Taken, by permission, from TWR-Kenya blog
Published 01 February 2008