More News from Kenya
Sat, 2008-01-19 16:40 — cmoss
I'm writing this blog on Saturday, January 19. On Wednesday, Thursday and Friday there was mass action to protest the Kenya elections. Unfortunately, more people were killed. However, yesterday Raila Odinga announced that there would be no more public rallies for now. He has said that ODM will try to get justice in other ways. Mediation efforts are continuing. Kofi Annan will be arriving on Tuesday and along with some other eminent Africans he will try to help Kenya resolve its problems. We are hoping for the best.
I would just like to add that this would be a superb time to come on safari. The Parks are virtually empty and I have heard that the hotels and lodges are so desperate for visitors that they treat tourists like kings and queens. The violence has been limited to the cities and large towns. The Parks and Reserves are quiet and have been throughout the troubles.
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Political Situation
It's unfortunate that things have gone on this long. Hopefully the mediators will be allowed to do what they've come for and get things resolved.
And you make taking a trip now sound very tempting...
Political Situation
Mark:
It is even more important now than ever that we who love Kenya, its people and its wildlife follow through with our trip plans. So many workers have already been laid off of their jobs, and if no tourists come, it will be far worse - which will mean starvation for thousands of people for the next six months.
If you have a Kenyan tour operator, you can be sure they will not allow their clients to get in harms way. They know the safe areas and those to stay away from.
I understand why the advisories are placed. However, in many cases they are placed by people who don't know the country and may have never been there. They are just reacting to news reports they have received. I have ignored them on all 12 trips. This time I did think more about things before deciding to go through with my trip. Now I feel I have to support Kenyans by showing them I care enough to make the trip despite what is going on and be of any help to individuals that I can. I will arrive there in two weeks.
Aside from the human deaths that have occurred, I am also very worried that the bushmeat trade and poaching might flare up even more where there are so many hungry people. I haven't read anything about this and wonder if Cynthia or Harvey have heard of any upswing in wildlife deaths?
Holding so far
Jan's right to respond positively to Cynthia's observation that, ironically, it's potentially a good time for a safari. The violence is indeed dreadful, but confined to a tiny geographical fraction of the country to which most visitors wouldn't venture in any event. If I were to return for a safari to my birthplace, Detroit, there are certainly some neighbourhoods I would eschew visiting. My old friend and co-author, John Reader, is staying with us just now, doing some work on a new edition of his excellent book, Missing Links and actively planning a trip to Kenya with his wife, daughter and granddaughters in July. And, no, so far, have heard nothing about an upsurge in poaching, but we're all holding our breaths: what would you do if you were a miserable refugee with a hungry family on the edge of a national forest or park?
Thanks for all your well wishes and good vibes. Remember, African ecosystems are surprisingly resilient: it's the poor people who are suffering just now.
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HC