Posted by Jennie Duck. I don’t think anyone in Kenya expected the situation to get this bad and for the violence to continue for so long. Now, it is not only the media that is appealing for peace, but politicians too -- perhaps they can feel the situation slipping away.

On the ground, we’re heading into scary territory. As with so many situations like this – Northern Ireland is a classic example – reason is being buried by the desire for revenge among the ethnic groups, as retaliation sparks more retaliation.

I have friends on both sides of the ethnic divide and listening to them talk with such conviction about people from other tribes is a big worry, and I struggle to identify with some of their views.
Since arriving in Kenya in 2003, I have become accustomed to the tribal stereotypes, which were usually said in jest -- “you’re a Kikuyu, you love money”; “he’s proud, he’s a luo”; “I’m a Kikuyu, I work hard”; “Luos don’t consider they’ve eaten unless they’ve had ugali on their plate”. But, until now, I had never taken them any more seriously than I would British stereotypes such as Scousers love to steal; Glasweigens are friendlier than Edinburgh folk; and something about Welsh people and sheep :-)

However, in Kenya it runs much deeper. It has its roots in colonialisation and was exacerbated by the messy transfer of power after the Mau Mau rebellion in the late 1950s. The rebellion was led and fought by Kikuyus, who are alleged by other tribes to have been rewarded by the first President, Jomo Kenyatta, a Kikuyu, with the land that has given rise to many of the problems the country now faces. (The counter-argument being that this was bought fair and square, from the colonisers who stole it in the first place...) This seems to have instilled a look-out-for-your-own perception to the tribal divides.

The divide between the ethnic groups is a chasm. The opposition argues that Kenya’s economic growth since Kibaki came to power mostly benefits Kikuyus. But, Kikuyus argue they are hard workers and take opportunities when they arise. How do you bridge the divide?

There’s a good article from The Independent by Richard Dowden, Director of Royal African Society, who summarises the history well and provides a counterpoint to what many people will be reading in the media, particularly in the UK. The seeds of mistrust were sown decades ago, but this will not explode into genocide