Posted by Jennie Duck. I’m just off the phone with people in Kenya who tell me that they hadn’t yet heard what happened at the press conference this morning where opposition ODM leader Raila Odinga claimed that they were keen to resume protesting against Kibaki’s dubious re-election.

They didn’t know because the government has censored media coverage, claiming it will incite more trouble.

But that in itself reiterates what Kenyans are feeling – that the greedy politicians are treating them as if they are owned people and using them for their own gain.

Local reporters were asked to represent Kenyans at the press conference by demanding that if more was to happen on the streets would Raila and Kibaki please put their own families forward to join in. Kenyans are increasingly frustrated that the politicians are treating the value of their lives so trivially, while keeping themselves and their families comfortable and safe.

The current growing unrest is less a matter of a concern with the election result, and more of an annoyance with the politicians who are using people like puppets. The vast majority of Kenyans see through the campaigns and understand them as power-hungry greed of individuals rather than a genuine concern for the future of Kenya.

This majority realises that the growth in economy during Kibaki’s term has more to do with peoples’ dedication and hard work. Their ability to survive harsh living conditions, an enterprising spirit and a peaceful coexistence.

I’ve spent time in most of Nairobi’s slums, been welcomed and hosted throughout Kenya and I know that this is not a violent place. Nairobi hosts the crime of any city, but long suffered an unduly negative reputation. Kenyans are positive, happy and ambitious people who are proud of their notably peaceful history. I’ve fought Kenya’s corner in many a discussion about ‘poor Africa’ – arguing it is more a place and a people to be admired and supported than pitied. I will still fight that corner and have confidence that Kenyans will get beyond the troubles, and continue to develop into the strong global country that it is becoming.

As my Kenyan colleague James Mwangi told me, ‘we survived 24years of Moi (the former President); we’ll get through this’.