Peace-loving, peace-building

I woke up this morning, to my cell phone chiming as it received text messages from the Kenyan government about laws against hate speach. Other messages told people that it is illegal to assemble in downtown Nairobi today.

After thinking hard about the challenges of reporting from the chaos in downtown Nairobi, without a car or a big media house at my back, I decided to come out to the outskirts of town with some friends.

On our early-morning drive, groups of young men were already blowing whistles and carrying flags into town. Trucks full of the army's Genereal Service Unit were also heading into town, likely going to stop people from attending an opposition rally planned for Uhuru Park today.

Local radio and the BBC report that there are skirmishes breaking out as people try to get together to rally.

Talking with Edwin and Patrick yesterday (see yesterday's blog post), I asked both men what needs to happen for peace in Kenya.

Edwin said the government should let the people rally today. There is a human right to free assembly...

Patrick said the church leaders and the politicians need to come together to call for peace. But yesterday, opposition leader Raila Odinga refused to meet with the leaders of other political parties.

Today, some people are starting to suggest that Kenya holds another election three months from now. After four and a half months here, I am not qualified to guess how effective that might be, whether it would calm or merely postpone the violence.

After four and a half months here, I will say that I believe in Kenyans. I believe that most people here just want a little development, a little prosperity and a little peace. I believe that most people are willing to work hard and help their neighbors, whatever their tribe.

But it is Kenyans who are truly qualified to comment on their nation. So, here are what a few Kenyans had to say today about how to restore peace.

Please note, because of the situation here right now, I am choosing not to use people's last names, photos or tribal affiliations.

Mathias

"It is just up to the main political leaders, Raila, Kibaki and Kalonzo to come together and sit and figure out what to do. It is the only way."

Steven

"Kibaki is the only one who can stop this. He is our President. He has the power. He must tell people to be calm. I don't think he will accept [another election in three months], but if he really loves us, if he really loves Kenya, maybe that is the best thing to do."

Katherine

"What really needs to happen, Kibaki needs to make Raila the Vice President. The leaders need to show that different tribes can work together to guide Kenya."

Nthenge

"People just need to stay cool, to stay calm. They should not rally today. The man from South Africa [Desmond Tutu] is here now, they should wait for word from him before holding rallies."

Angela

"I think Mr. Raila should give it up and stop inciting his people to go out and cause the violence. He should seek redress from the courts. That's the constiutional thing to do. We are goerned by laws and its really stupid for him to let his people go out and do that and just watch from his home. Kenyans have spoken."

Emmy

"I think they need to do what is right by the people. It's nt about individuals. Unfortunately, the government that is in now keeps on thinking it's about individuals. They need to do what is right by the people. It is so rigged. When the people voted, they should respect what the people asked for, if it is true democracy. And who are the losers here? The women and the children and the little boys and the poor person. It never changes for the poor person and I find that disugusting. We have no Uhuru, no independence here in Kenya."

Dave

"Kibaki needs to step down. This won't calm down until Kibaki steps down. They should hold another election, soon. And they need to change the system. There shouldn't be a presidential race here. Why is there still this cult of personality? The leader of the biggest party should be President."

Haiko

"It's just taking a few weeks and everything will be fine. That's how it is. [The chaos] is just in the slums. Do you see normal people doing it? Normal people want to work. Everybody who has a job, wants to work, they want to go to work. The people who have nothing, have nothing to lose. They are the ones who are doing it."