Words & Pictures from Northern Kenya

Shooting Elders

May 29, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Northern Kenya 2015

A group of elders narrowly escaped death this morning. They were shot at shorty after they arrived for a peace meeting on the Isiolo - Laikipia border. This should be evidence enough, for those that still need it, that elders no longer command the authority and respect that they once did among this community, and so many others like it across northern Kenya. Kenyans are not alone in their love for the pomp and ceremony of traditional leadership roles in society; the ceremonial oaths and promises, the clothes, the prayers, the hallowed words of their elders. Sadly the truth is these positions, and these ceremonies, have long ago been devalued by ruthless politicians from all ranks. We are left with occasions that spawn meaningless words. Elders that no longer hold any authority over their communities and leaders whose words can rarely be trusted to mean what they say. Those well meaning groups who organise peace meeting here in ... Continue Reading

After the rain

May 11, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Children walking through a meadow of grass and flowers - Isiolo County

The rains have wreaked havoc across East Africa. Our part of northern Kenya is no exception, however, here at least it seems that the rains are now abating. The 'long rains' are normally not that long for us, the forecast and the weather signs seem to indicate that they are now coming to an end. Though these unexpected and excessive rains have left a trail of destruction and heart break, it has also left us with a lush and verdant landscape, of a kind not seen here for a decade at least. ... Continue Reading

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.

May 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Torrential rain over Northern Kenya

In the last 8 weeks there has been unusually heavy rain over most of East Africa. In Northern Kenya we have seen very little rain during the last 3 years. Life has been dominated by drought, with recent rainy seasons providing no more than a few odd showers. Then in March this year the heavens opened. The forecast for the April rains had once again been bad for most of the northern and eastern parts of Kenya. We were told to expect poor rains and everyone was gearing up for the worsening, ... Continue Reading

The tragedy of rain on degraded rangelands

March 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment
This used to be a road - Isiolo County

The rain should have made me feel good. Here, in the arid lands of northern Kenya, rain is what we pray for, and when it comes it brings relief and joy. We have had very little rain in the last few years, rainy season after rainy season has disappointed. Everybody has lost livestock because of the lack of grass and shrubs for browsing. Water sources have dried up. The stress of persistent drought has affected us all. The forecast for the coming rainy season in North Eastern counties was not ... Continue Reading

After years of violence and drought there is a renewal of hope in this small community in northern Kenya.

September 25, 2017 By 43 Comments
Rainbow over Olng'arua School

The last 2 years have been very difficult for the community surrounding Olng'arua School. Violence has resulted in two thirds of the people who lived here being displaced, houses and possessions destroyed, livestock stolen and lives lost. The community was totally unprepared for the violence. Although there have been occasional periods of insecurity in the past (the last of any significance was more than 20 years ago), nobody can remember anything as bad as this. They were also left totally ... Continue Reading