Man Uses First Hand Post Election Violence Experience To Urge Kenyans To Preach Peace

A Facebook user going by the name  put up a post exactly a year ago, talking about the importance of Kenyans living harmoniously with each other, and to not heed to incitements by politicians, as the country head into the general elections.

Mr. Keru posted a photo of a fleet of public service vehicles stuck in traffic loaded with valuables ranging from Mattresses to other personal belongings.

He used the photo to talk of his painful experience during the 2007/8 post election violence, which saw hundreds of lives lost and tens of thousands more displaced from their homes.

Keru narrates how he had to cover a distance of 250 kilometers from Eldoret to Nairobi standing in a crowded bus as a form three student, all traumatized and broken.

He used his narration to educate Kenyans on the importance of peace in our beloved nation urging them not to turn against each other on the basis of their tribes or race.

Read his lengthy post below.

This photo reminds me of 2007/08 when me and my family (and other families) were forced to flee North Rift. I travelled all the way to Nairobi a distance of 250Kilometers standing (sema kushika chuma) because I could not find a seat in a crowded Eldoret Express Bus. Then I was a form 3 student turned militia because we had to defend the only place we called home at all costs...to-date, I remember the pain and suffering; the heartbreaks and hunger. Safaricom Bamba 100 airtime was being sold for Ksh500. When we got to Nakuru, instead of hawkers running towards the buses to sell us stuff, they all run away coz they feared we would rob their stuff and eat it coz of hunger. In war, you all become broke because you have to leave everything behind and flee. That whole experience made me know just how important PEACE is. Without peace, we're all doomed. When we go to war, we all lose. So when I hear some of our politicians beating the drums of violence, I shudder. If it's fighting, I am ready to go to the battlefield...but what shall I gain when my Luo friends die? I will remain poor and the politicians will continue to enjoy the trappings of power. Arrrgh.