15 people trapped and burnt inside a small house in Naivasha, Kenya - 3rd February 2008. They include women and children.
n the aftermath of the disputed December 2007 elections, Kenya was plunged into mayhem threatening to tear one of Africa's most stable post-colonial countries apart. Tribal tensions which simmer just below the national surface were unleashed when, the Oppostion felt it was denied the Presidency after allegations of mass vote-rigging in the December elections.
Attempts at mediation were bravely led by Kofi Annan but which for a while seemed doomed to failure as both sides continued to bicker over the perceived truth of the election results and fingers were pointed acrimoniously in both directions as to who was ultimately responsible for the troubles and tribal violence in the country. Finally, after the special and dedicated persistence of Kofi Annan, a peace agreement was signed on 28th February 2008. A power-sharing Government, between the President Mwai Kibaki and the Opposition Leader, Raila Odinga, who formally took up the newly-made position of Prime Minister, was formed. The price though on the common "Mwanainchi' (common man) was terrible. Approxiametly 1,500 people were killed and nearly 250,000 were internally displaced. While Kenya faces an uncertain future, and fears of another outbreak of violence always loom large, what is certain is that the scars left on the Kenyan people by the crisis in January 2008 will take a long time to heal.
The world waits and hopes that Kenya does not become the latest victim to be condemned by a very African sickness - that of inter-tribal conflict and ultimately the destruction of a once stable and peaceful country.
After completing a Postgraduate Diploma from the London College of Communication (formerly London College of Printing) in 2001, I have worked mainly from Kenya. I undertake freelance work for Reuters and have undertaken work for several charities including Save the Children. WHO and the Clinton Foundation.
I have been published in various international publications, including the New York Times, Observer and the Independent in the UK.
I am currently represented by African Pictures (africamediaonline.com) based in South Africa.
