PHASE 2 OF THE POST VIOLENCE ELECTION IN KIBERA

     

The phase 2 of the post election violence in the slum happened when i came back from rural, where we had ran for safety,due to the first riot after the announcement of the presidential results.At this time everything was turning back to its normal state.The riot had stopped for some days but there was still fear and suspicion between the tribes.People feared to walk from villages that were cruel to their tribes.



 Then it happened that president Kibaki was being sweared in by ECK as the winning candidate and as the president .It happened by night which raised a question to some tribe"why at night ?"to them it proved fully that they was injustice and irregularity hence triggering the riot again.We heard rumors from other villages  that there was tension and some people had began to behave cruelty,so people had to be ready for another riot.On our village everything seemed okay but ready from rumors they were getting.

  In some villages the riot had started and these time it was worse than before.Many houses were burnt that night and property looted,these were houses from those people suspected to have voted for the winning party.Actually the people that rioted were from the losing party.They claimed that they was no justice in the electrol body (ECK) and that they had won but power given to the wrong party that day.They held posters with their weapons shouting,beating people,burning houses,some stealing properties and even others ended up killing the suspects.More so,Most people were angered by the first riot where some had lost their close relatives or lost their properties hence were determined to revenge back.

  In our side all men were out with their weapons,at these time people had found more delicate weapons than the first riot.Their panga's and machete's were now sharpen on both sides. The most commonly used weapons were:pangas,bows,slashers sharpen on both side,rungus,axes,catapults,spears from the maasai's,machetes,heavy metals and many other more.

 



On the following day, there was alot of bloodshed. Early that morning Most victims had been attacked on their way to work while others were on their way from work. That morning  people were restricted from going outside the slum but to stay within.Most business were closed but people were well equipped with foodstuffs.They had bought enough food before the swearing process because they feared that the riot may occur again and find them with no food.Moreover, the number of people had decreased mostly in our village compared to the first riot because most of them had run for safety to rural areas..

That same day around 9 o'clock that day there was rumors that in different area there were dead bodies of those attacked that morning. I took courage and went to see some,this time I was not more scared as I was in the first riot.The riot had become so worse that some people even killed their own neighbors from another tribe.Landlords who had tenants from the other tribes or tenants who lived with the wrong tribe at that time,were chased, their properties confiscated or burnt and others killed.

Between eleven to noon that day there was a total clash.A horde of people was walking from village to village:beating people,burning houses and some killing them.Actually these were people that opposed the electrol results hence,were moving to villages that were suspected to support the winning candidate.All men worked hand in hand to prevent them from coming on their side.Men from our village moved to help those who had been attacked.Up on a tree I could see  along the railway line one group of people chasing people with stones then the other group will come back with full force and chase them back.Actually this is how the war was fought.until around 3 o'clock when the opposers ceased and went back.

Again after some hours the group (those rioting) came back but following another route.This time it was close to our side.Luckily we had six men with bows and arrows,furthermore, men from our side were organized and ready with their weapons.All men united and went to help the other side to deter them from reaching the other sides,the women were outside with their children waiting and praying for the best.They could not stay in their houses because they feared that their houses could be burnt if their men were over powered.
That very moment we were told to search for stones anywhere we could find,because the opposers had became more violent and this time used stones.We searched for stones anywhere we could find,both women and children and the old wazee's gathered them and kept them in heaps.I and other men helper to carry the stones with sacks close to the "battle field".When it stopped again around 5 o'clock many people from our side were injured and one,our close neighbor and friend murdered.He was caught by those rioting unaware while advancing to the second route.Most of the opposers we killed with arrows while others incurred serious injuries,these made them retreat for the second time.The "battle field" was full of stones after the war,we re-collected them  again and kept them in heaps ready for another battle.

Again at around 7 o'clock that very day their was another battle at the same place,the oppposers came back.Honestly,no one could tell where these horde of violent people came from,what we believed was that they were from other villages and had united 2 to 3 tribes,but there was rumors that they were from other areas and had been paid to cause chaos in the slum.This third time they came with petroleum and burnt most houses in the place.But they were over powered because people had enough stones than them this time and also the crowd feared the arrows which had killed most of them.The noises,screams,whistles,smoke and noise from iron sheets being burnt,people running up and down made us confused that night.The battle went on until 10 o'clock when everything calmed after the group retreated again.

On the following day it was a bit safer than the previous day.The dead bodies were dragged to a place where they could be accessed by their friends or relative.Those who had injuries were given aid while others with major injuries taken to hospital.That day food was cooked collectively by all women for those men who were guarding.By noon everything was cool but we could hear news that the horde had demolished the railway line.In order to identify their men in our village and be safe from spies they used a word "NITHAYO" ,Which means "life" to ask those they were suspecting,the suspects were to reply back "NITHAYO" and give their identification card to show that they were not from the rioting group.

 Finally there was government intervention by the GSU which came in great number to easen the chaos and restore peace.They beat anyone they could find on their way holding weapon or not,both women and men. This made everyone to stay indoor even though they broke into some houses which had loose locks and hit mercilessly those were found inside.They used their huge rungu's and tear gas to dismiss and frighten crowds.Also there were sound of fire arms heard on air.This really made most people very scared,none dared to go out.

Although they were brutal to people they greatly ensured calmness and easen tension.The curfew also ensured there was no movement from one village to another.Most people were also arrested by the police,while those who continued to cause chaos ruthlessly beaten.This together with other NGO's groups helped to keep things back in order again in the slum.