Continue to pray for Kenya

The Kenyan election that took place the 8th of August and was then overturned by the supreme court was held again on this past Thursday the 26th October.   This time the controversy over the election is even greater than the first time.  Two weeks before the election the challenger, Raila Odinga, withdrew himself from the election stating that the supreme court mandated changes to the election process had not been done and the election was going to be nothing more than a sham.  Therefore, he would not participate in an election with a predetermined outcome. 

The electoral commission would not allow him to withdrawal his name, so he in turn asked his supporters to not vote.  On election day there was trouble in much of the opposition areas and the tension all over the country was high.  There are unconfirmed reports of 70 people killed during the election. The chaos was so great in some areas that four whole counties where not able to vote at all.  The votes are still being counted but it seems that most of the opposition supporters followed the dictate of their leaders and did not vote.  The president's vote total seems to be much lower than the first election with reports of only 35 percent voter turnout.

On the eve of the election, Raila Odinga called a press conference for a major announcement telling the country that he was disbanding his political party NASA and was transforming them into the National Resistance Movement NRM.  They would from that day forward be a resistant movement that would resist everything the government does.  Basically, the desire is to make the country ungovernable and force another election with the changes he desires.

Elections in Kenya have always been tribal affairs and unfortunately this election has caused the tribal tension to rise to unprecedented levels.  The rhetoric on both sides are abominable.  People who should know better are saying things and posting things on social media that are divisive and ugly.  I have never seen a time in Kenya that the tribal divisions are as great as they are today, and many Kenyans have told me that the hatred being displayed between certain people groups has reached a level never seen before. 

The economy has shut down for many, the Kenyan people are hurting, yet some continue following their leaders like sheep to the slaughter. It's time that Kenya had some leaders that would put the whole nations interest ahead of their own interest. Unfortunately, the current leaders don't seem to understand that important part of leadership.

Despite the current situation there are those who are standing for what is right.  There are preachers and churches that are going against the tide and consistently loving people and have not allowed themselves to be swayed by the politics of the day.  It is these preachers and churches that must continue to set the example and be a light that others can follow.

Continue to pray for the people of Kenya and especially the pastors and churches.  I am especially appreciative of Pastor Justus Oloo, co-pastor of the Grace Bible Baptist Church, who continues to set an example of pastoring a mixed tribal church and leading them to remain unified despite what others are doing around them.