Photo Tour: Seeking Safety in Kenya
By Debbie DeVoeIn a shock to both residents and the world, the usually peaceful nation of Kenya erupted in violence after a disputed presidential election held December 27, 2007. When it was announced that incumbent President Mwai Kibaki had narrowly defeated challenger Raila Odinga, allegations of rigging quickly turned into riots, looting, arson and killing across Nairobi and up the Rift Valley. By early February, postelection violence had killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 300,000.
Kibaki comes from Kenya's largest ethnic group, the Kikuyu, while Odinga is a member of the third-largest group, the Luo. Much of the violence pitted supporters of Kibaki against supporters of Odinga. In mixed communities — primarily in the west — some residents also took advantage of the crisis to drive people from their lands.
Catholic Relief Services is coordinating with Caritas Kenya, the Kenya Red Cross, U.N. agencies and government ministries to help provide shelter and essential services to thousands of families whose lives were uprooted and who face uncertainties about their country's future.
All photos by Debbie DeVoe/CRS
Debbie DeVoe is CRS' regional information officer in East Africa based in Nairobi.
