Kenya: Still wounded from the last election
But today, more than four years later, and despite vast sums spent on resettlement, many are still living in refugee camps, said an editorial at the Daily Nation.
Editorial
Daily Nation
Is Kenya ready for another election? asked the Nairobi Daily Nation. The 2007 presidential election led to riots and widespread fighting after supporters of challenger Raila Odinga alleged fraud by incumbent President Mwai Kibaki. In melees that lasted weeks, the violence turned into ethnic clashes, and tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes. They were supposed to be resettled within months, after former U.N. leader Kofi Annan brokered a power-sharing deal between Kibaki and Odinga.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But today, more than four years later, and despite vast sums spent on resettlement, many are still living in refugee camps. Why? Corruption is partly to blame. Some of the local officials charged with implementing the resettlement program have used it as a “cash cow,” even resorting to “outright theft” of the funds. But tribal tensions are also at work. Some of the refugees have been “rejected in their intended new homes” because the local community was not given a say in the resettlement process.
These people need to get housing before this year’s election. It would be “grossly insensitive” to expect them “to troop from their tented camps to cast their ballots.” When will this “shameful chapter in our history” finally be closed?
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
-
Today's political cartoons - April 27, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - natural gas, fundraising with Ted Cruz, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Aid to Ukraine: too little, too late?
Talking Point House of Representatives finally 'met the moment' but some say it came too late
By The Week UK Published
-
5 generously funny cartoons on the $60 billion foreign aid package
Cartoons Artists take on Republican opposition, aid to Ukraine, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published