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Life returning to normal in Kenya
The first sign that things are returning to normal in Kenya was with opposition leader Raila Odinga calling off a countrywide rally.
- By Tracy Brand, Staff Photographer
- Published: 00:55 January 10, 2008
- Hundreds of Kenyans gather in Kianda, Kibera, a slum township in Nairobi, for maize meal being distributed by the Red Cross.
- Image Credit: Tracy Brand/Gulf News
Nairobi: Flying into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and gazing out of the window to clear blue skies, a gentle breeze blowing through the savannah grass and a flock of crowned crane gathered off the tarmac, it was hard to believe the violence that had been taking place in Nairobi over the last week.
Many have been saddened by the violence as Kenya is known for being one of the safest counties in Africa.
The first sign that things are returning to normal in Kenya was with opposition leader Raila Odinga calling off a countrywide rally. Kenyans are now slowly trying to get back to a normal life after post election violence has left hundreds dead and 255,686 displaced people.
I visited Kibera, a slum township in Nairobi and one of the worst hit areas to find many picking through the ashes and trying to restore the homes and shops they have lost. Despite the desperate situation though I was often offered to join them for tea in their homes. However a few men shouted "No Raila, no peace" showing that there is still some underlying tension.
Just as I was leaving the township a Red Cross convoy arrived to distribute maize meal and clothes in an area called Kianda.
Thousands gathered in the blazing sun outside the church to collect a single bag of maize meal and small skirmishes broke out as people desperately tried to get to the truck.
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