Kenya Update

I just received an e-mail from a good friend in Kenya. Dan Germo has is from Canada, but has lived in Kenya for a number of years. He is a good friend of Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and so I consider the information that he provides to be very accurate. The following is an edited version of his update:

I am sure that most of you have heard the news that a political deal was reached in Kenya on Thursday of last week. We are sorry that it has taken us until now to send this happy report… but due to computer problems, it hasn’t been possible until now.
Last week was a very tense week for the nation. It started with the news of the mediation talks stalling. Underlining the seriousness of the situation were the reports from various parts of the countries of militias from both sides of the equation training and arming in case the talks failed. On Tuesday, Kofi Annan said that the mediation teams were not capable of making the deal, as their final session on Tuesday had ended in a very heated manner. At that point, Dr. Annan scheduled a meeting for himself, the President of Tanzania (who is also the Chairman of the African Union), together with President Kibaki and opposition leader, Raila Odinga. As a nation, we all waited anxiously to hear any outcome. The level of anxiety was heightened… but the nation sighed a sigh of relief when at just before 5 PM, all four men addressed a press conference broadcast live across the nation… They had reached a deal.
Under the deal, President Kibaki will remain the President of Kenya, and a new position of Prime Minister will be created, which will be filled by Raila Odinga. Kalonzo Musyoka will remain Vice President, while two Deputy Prime Minister slots will also be created, one being appointed from each party.
This may not be the solution that will be for long-term – that remains to be seen. But, it is a perfect solution that allows the calm in the nation to be replaced by peace, and the opportunity for the political leaders to address many governance issues in the months and years ahead. Most people in the nation, from all sides of the equation, have reacted very positively… and just relieved that life can get back to normal once again, without having to live under the anxiety of daily wondering whether the country would unravel further.
Thank you all for praying for us, the nation, and our many friends during this time. As we rejoice at the peace that has returned, we must also remember to continue to be praying for the many who are still displaced in various parts of the nations, and those who have lost jobs, houses, businesses, and loved ones as a result of the chaos. There will be many challenges ahead, but pray that as a nation, we will learn what is necessary so that this may never happen again. At least now, the hope of healing is once again available!!