Individuals at Risk

Until late 2007, Kenya was widely regarded as one of the most stable countries in Africa, opening itself to the world and presenting a different face of a continent still trying to find its own definition of stability. However, recent developments in the aftermath of the December 2007 elections have placed Kenya on the map of many international organizations, forcing a lucid reassessment of its socio-political landscape. The disputed presidential elections fueled outbreaks of violence across the country that reportedly killed more than a thousand people and displaced approximately 250,000 individuals. Amnesty International is particularly concerned with the ethnic dimension to the political violence and the potential prolonged effects this will have on Kenyan society, especially if the current human rights violations are not rapidly addressed. Kenya's political volatility has led to numerous human rights violations and abuses in different parts of the country. Amnesty International has received reports of unlawful killings, gender based violence, death threats against prominent human rights defenders and activists (UA 29/08), violations of freedom of expression and excessive use of force by security officials.

The media collage resulting from post-election coverage simplistically portrayed the emerging violence as tribal, ignoring poignant economic and political considerations. Despite conventional perceptions, Kenyans have not traditionally identified themselves by ethnic lines and studies conducted in a pre-election timeframe have shown they do not have significant feelings of ethnic injustice. A 2003 Afrobarometer survey indicates that 70 percent would choose to be Kenyan if faced with a choice between a national identity and their ethnic group (28 percent refused to identify themselves as anything but Kenyan). From a recent historical perspective, much of the unrest that erupted after the December 2007 election appears to be the latest symptomatic display of politically organized violence. Kenya‘s young democratic (and consequently weak) institutions seem to be at the foundation of the current political crisis, not its assumed ethnic divisions. Political coalitions on both sides have implicitly (and explicitly) encouraged militias and youth gangs to make violent statements, with deadly attacks preponderantly targeted at civilians. From a demographic perspective, Kenya is an mosaic of ethnicities - there are forty-one different groups; the Kikuyu, with 22 percent of the population, is the most educated and prosperous group. When former president Daniel arap Moi was confronted with the prospect of losing power to an opposition party dominated by Kikuyu, he started an anti-Kikuyu campaign, inciting intertribal clashes. Amnesty International has reported extensively on the state-sponsored nature of this violence.

Looking beyond the politically manipulative nature of the violence, economic considerations have brought new factors into play. According to the 2007/2008 UN Human Development Index, Kenya ranks 148 of 177 countries on income inequality. Economic disparity and the lack of real prospects fuel latent frustrations that tend to materialize in unstable circumstances. Economic issues solidify across class boundaries, increasing the magnitude of social clashes.

On February 4, representatives of the Kenyan government and the opposition party met in a mediation effort led by the former UN Secretary-General, Koffi Anan, and signed an agreement on immediate measures to address the humanitarian crisis and to promote reconciliation, healing and restoration. However, the evidence of human rights abuses and violations gathered by Amnesty International demonstrates the necessity of ensuring that a human rights agenda is at the core of the current political negotiations, and that there is no impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations.

Extend a hand in support!

In order to enable as many of activists as possible to express their solidarity and help protect human rights in Kenya, Amnesty International has called for an International Day of Action for Kenya on Wednesday, February 27.

You can join our effort either online or in person, taking part in the events organized throughout the country. Ordinary Kenyans are using online tools to send photos and accounts of violence. Let them know they are being heard by posting solidarity messages on the Individuals at Risk Blog (http://blogs.amnestyusa.org/urgentaction). We have also set up a Flickr page   for people to post photos of their vigils and collective messages of support (http://www.flickr.com/photos/reachoutforkenya). To upload the photos, send an email to cold27south@photos.flickr.com (use the subject line to give your photo a title and the body to add a description). Your messages will resonate with the voices of the Kenyan people and increase the magnitude of their call for peace.

An often-used proverb gives us insight into the cultural values Kenya holds closest to its national spirit:  "We have not inherited this land from our ancestors; rather we have borrowed it from our children."  Reach out for Kenya and echo its confidence in a peaceful future!

In Solidarity,

Elena Marrs

For more (and updated) information on Kenya and the Reach Out for Kenya Day of Action, go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/By_Country/Kenya/page.do?id=1011181&n1=3&n2=30&n3=931