On March 4 2013, Kenyans turned out in huge numbers to vote for their new president. Apart from some localised violence and disruptions, the elections passed peacefully and in a somewhat organised manner.
This couldn't have been more different from 5 years ago when Kenya saw horrendous violence plague the country; tribes fighting for power; families being ripped apart; and whole towns being burned to the ground. All in the name of politics. By the end no-one could remember why they were fighting. The effects are still seen today - and it seems that the heartbreak is still fresh. This year there were peace concerts, campaigns on social media to remain peaceful, lessons on peace in the classroom. A country's determination to remain peaceful, amidst relentless corruption at the highest level is something that must be applauded.
Now we must wait and see what the next few weeks have in store. Will the result be accepted peacefully by both sides? What will Uhuru Kenyatta's first steps as president look like? No matter what, it is certain to be a new chapter in Kenya's political history.
This couldn't have been more different from 5 years ago when Kenya saw horrendous violence plague the country; tribes fighting for power; families being ripped apart; and whole towns being burned to the ground. All in the name of politics. By the end no-one could remember why they were fighting. The effects are still seen today - and it seems that the heartbreak is still fresh. This year there were peace concerts, campaigns on social media to remain peaceful, lessons on peace in the classroom. A country's determination to remain peaceful, amidst relentless corruption at the highest level is something that must be applauded.
Now we must wait and see what the next few weeks have in store. Will the result be accepted peacefully by both sides? What will Uhuru Kenyatta's first steps as president look like? No matter what, it is certain to be a new chapter in Kenya's political history.
