Unitarian Universalists Continue Work for Peace and Justice in Kenya
February 8, 2008
A joint Unitarian Universalist Association-Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUA-UUSC) delegation was dispatched to Kenya from January 20-29 to witness and report on ongoing violence and human rights abuses in the country. The delegation included UUSC President Charlie Clements, UUSC Program Director Atema Eclai and Unitarian Universalist (UU) Minister Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt.The violence and human rights abuses followed the flawed Kenyan Presidential Election in December, 2007. The experiences of the delegation are documented on Charlie Clements' blog and photo essay from Kenya. President William Sinkford's pastoral letter about violence in both Kenya and Pakistan invites congregations to consider making a donation to the joint UUSC-UUA Kenya Relief Fund.
Upon their return, the delegation went to Washington to meet with legislators and leaders of other aid organizations. Charlie Clements gave testimony to the House Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health on February 6, 2008.
The day before, on February 5, McNatt returned to Nairobi as a member of the teaching faculty for the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists' (ICUU) "Africa Leadership Training Conference." There she has joined lead conference organizer, Rev. Jill MacAllister (USA), along with other members of the faculty: Rev. Brian Kiely (ICUU President, Canada), Rev. David Usher (England), and Rev. Gordon Oliver (South Africa). More than sixty Unitarian leaders from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Congo (Brazzaville) and Nigeria are participating in the conference.
McNatt, speaking from Nairobi on February 5, said that people she's encountered have expressed hope about the peace mediation process. She admitted that the situation could change quickly if the mediation process breaks down, and that conditions in Nairobi are very different from those found in Eldoret, Kisumu, and in parts of the Great Rift Valley. Patrice Curtis—who has been visiting with emerging Unitarian groups in Nairobi this week on the UUA's behalf, and who is attending the Leadership Conference as an observer—is present in Nairobi to help develop strong, healthy, and long-lasting relationships with emerging Unitarian movements in various African countries.
Rev. Brian Kiely writes, "We found a peaceful, thriving city filled with relaxed people. Rev. David Usher and I arrived together and were warmly welcomed by three members of the Kenyan UU Church in Nairobi. During the ninety minute traffic-jammed ride to our Guest House we learned much about the state of the city and the country. I am greatly relieved to say that while talks go on and politicians posture, the people seem resolved to rebuild their friendly relations with one another. Judging by the amazing amount of foot and automobile traffic, things are very much back to normal in Nairobi. I have been in dangerous places before. There is simply no tension or fear in the air. Even the soldiers guarding Uhuru Park, the site of recent mass demonstrations, look relaxed, even bored. Sadly, tensions are still high in the western part of the country near Eldoret."
For more information contact international @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, February 8, 2008.
