Praying for Kenya

"Keep Peace Fellow Kenyans."

Graffiti from the last Kenyan Election in 2012.

It was another cold grey August day here in Nairobi, everyone whom we've spoken with throughout the day shared a common feeling of unease, but remain hopeful. 

Although the local radio and media report five deaths from yesterday's public unrest in Nairobi slum areas and in the Western town of Kisumu, it is important to recognize that they were far from the norm. The Wednesday protests remain isolated. The majority of Kenyans seem to be wary of any repeat of the post-election violence of 2007/2008. 

"We just need to put this election behind us," shared our friend Francis. "What's done is done. People just want to get back to life and work."

Similiar sentiments have been shared with us from friends in Western Kenya. Although disappointed in the election results, they too are not interested in dwelling on accusations of vote rigging and hacking that have been raised by Riala Odinga. "No government will last forever," shared our friend living near Kisumu. "We must move forward."

Kenyans lining up to cast their ballots during Tuesday's national election

We join our Kenyan friends in their optimistic hope that Kenya will pull together after such a divisive election. With the country divided almost in half, it is a crucial time for  Kenyans to draw on their common future as one nation. 

Please join us in praying for Kenya and its leaders. We pray that the official results being released by the electoral commission, and the confirmation of third party observers, will be accepted and that peace will be kept.

Praying for Kenya

On Tuesday, August 8th, Kenyans will cast their ballots for the 2017 national elections. The race is very close for president, as well as over many county positions throughout the country. 

Tensions and suspicions have been building over the past months, and in the last week several incidents have people bracing for the potential of post-election disputes and violence. 

We are praying that the leaders of the two main parties will be voices of calm and humility, no matter the outcome of Tuesday's vote. Democracy will be put to the test as Kenyan's are called to put the national interest over tribal and regional loyalty.  

This Sunday, many pastors and church leaders will be calling their congregations to be forces of peace and civility over the coming weeks. May Christians of every denomination live up to that calling to be ambassadors of peace and reconciliation.

The BBC has created a brief summary video that gives an overview of the election and some of the background. It is well worth the 3 minutes it takes to watch -- Watch Here

Kenny's Summer 2017 Update: Stronger Together

Summer 2017 has been a wonderful time of ministry for CBM in Kenya. We are so grateful for the amazing team mates and partners that we are able to work with.

In our summer update letter, we talk about the impact of Kamp Tumaini on the Canadian volunteers that joined us from Springforth, a youth program of the Canadian Baptist Churches of the Atlantic.

To read our latest update letter, please click here.

Let the Water Flow: Improved Irrigation Canals in Garissa

Construction of Enhanced Irrigation Canals 

Bukuyu, Garissa County, Kenya

Kenyan farmers have been using traditional irrigation methods for over 400 years. 

Earthen dams, rainwater harvesting, and bucket irrigation are just some of the common methods we see throughout the country. These small-scale, low-cost methods have been used to support subsistence farming that cannot rely on rainfall alone, but, with a little help, farmers are finding ways to improve their irrigation practices that allow them to increase their harvests. 

Over the past four decades, CBM has been helping farmers improve irrigation practices through the adoption of practices such as the use of water catchments, motorized and non-motorized water pumps, gravity-fed drip irrigation, and enhanced canal irrigation. 

Through improved irrigation and conservation agricultural practices, we are seeing a transformation from subsistence farmers into commercial agents that are increasing the health and wellness of their families and community. 

Our colleague, William Wako, shares the impact of this important work of Canadian Baptists in Garissa.

"Over the past month, CBM has been assisting more than sixty farmers in the community of Bukuyu. This project is helping them to improve their traditional earthen canals. Among these sixty farmers, twenty also participate in our conservation agriculture project, where they are receiving additional training and support to improve their farmers. 

With the support of the Canadian Baptist churches, we have had the resorces to complete a proper survey of the topography of the land, which was needed to improve the grade of the canals. We were then able to help improve over six hundred meters of the canal and provide much needed set boxes that act as the joints that direct the flow of the water to the sixty different farms. 

The six main set boxes were a huge improvement. The water now flows much more quickly, and there is far less waste. This reduces the shared fuel costs for the farmers and is allowing them to better provide water to their crops.  

The water flows from the Tana River into the large catchment and is released into the fields through a series of gates. Even in the arid lands of Garissa, the farmers are harvesting banana, tomatoes, mango, maize, green grams, peas, casava, kales, and onions. We are so happy to see them not only producing for their domestic use, but also the Garissa market. This is having a big impact on the lives of these families."

One of the improved catchment points in the Bukuyu irrigation canals

The Bukuyu farmers were very excited by the opportunity to work together with the local CBM food security project to improve their canals. In addition to increased productivity in their fields, the project constructed a 2,000-litre catchment that is helping the village to safely access water for domestic use and livestock, without damaging the fragile river bank or braving the crocodiles in the mud red river. 

But there is another side to this story that we are so glad to share. As our friend William explains, the project was an important way to bring people together.

"As Christians and Muslims working together, projects like this are building bridges. During the canal work [in Bukuyu], we were able to have good times of conversation and sharing. 

With the Kenyan national elections on August 8th, there are mixed feelings of fear and expectations in the community. We all hope for peace, but there are fears of division and conflict, especially between rival clans. 

Over the last month, as the people have been working together in the canals, there has been peace. I can say that we have seen improved relationships between the Somali and Waliwana people as they have worked together to improve each other's lives. God is overcoming the distrust and fear. This is one of the best aspects of this work."

In Prayer 

The need for improved food security is a major need throughout Sub Saharan Africa. Please join us in praying for the ongoing work of CBM's team and partners as we work together in assisting local churches in their efforts to bring hope and healing to their communities.

Please join us in praying for a peaceful Kenyan election. May God bring the nation together however the election goes. This will be our third national election since coming to Kenya in 2006, and we know how important it is for a peaceful transition of power for the well-being of all Kenyans.

We are also praying for our partner and colleagues serving in Rwanda, where people will head to the polls to vote in their national election on August 4th. Our colleague Andre Sibomana, recently back from Canada, is very thankful for the peaceful campaigning that he has witnessed throughout the country. Please join us in remembering the people of Rwanda during this time.