Peace Corps Leaves Kenya

I just received the official announcement from a former volunteer still living in Nairobi. For the first time in 43 years of continuous service, Peace Corps volunteers have been sent home indefinitely. The staff will remain in Kenya and continue to run the office until volunteers can return.

Peace Corps Press Release

It's just unbelievable to me. I can't imagine what it would be like if I were still there, unable to go back to my site to see my town and my friends one last time. The memory of my last morning in Narok is still so vivid to me, getting in the cab with Samson for a ride to town, buying my matatu ticket, looking at everything around me knowing it was the last time I would see it for many years to come. Now, that town barely exists. I received this e-mail from Grace this morning, who just returned to Narok after more than a month:

Hi Amy,

Long time!!! how are you? hope you are doing good am also fine. I reported back yesterday since last year xmas. I travelled to my fiance home and I was unable to return back to narok due to violent on the Kisii Narok road. people were used to be removed from the vihecle and were being slaughtered. It has been so bad I have never seen this ever.

Things in Narok town were not good either, You remember the Kenia Suppermarket? It was burnt down together with other buildings where the Kenya Commercial Bank was. People have gone to their rural home,there are very few people in narok town other are camping next to the police station.

Atleast there is a sign of a little piece although most of the plots are vacant since people left. Am hoping things will be okey, I came back on sunday passed through Maasai mara since Kisii Narok road still not safe. I lost my nephew on an accident on the night of school oppening day it was so sad because I didn't even attend the burial because of the insecurity. Am planning to go home any time also Mai Mahiu, Naivasha was not also good so most of the vehicle have not returned to business because of fear.

Thanks so much for caring about me. God bless.

Grace.

What's so frustrating to me about this is that I really feel it is resolvable. Kibaki and Odinga were close to reaching a power-sharing agreement weeks ago, but the hardliners in Kibaki's administration convinced him to reject it at the last minute. It's all politics and showmanship in Nairobi, while people are dying or fleeing their homes everywhere else. The anger between tribes runs deep, but really people just want to live freely and have access to the same rights and privileges as everyone else. Neither Kibaki nor Odinga has taken a strong stand to say that the violence needs to stop. Their stubbornness and hunger for power may cause a civil war, and they barely take notice.