Motswana bears witness to Kenya killings

Source:BOPA

GABORONE - Weeks ago Kenya was one of the peaceful countries in the continent, but today the country is marred by disputes, protests, riots and violence that threaten its economy.

This is the result of the announcement of President Mwai Kibakis re-election. Much of the troubles in the country has affected many people bringing the death toll to about 500, while thousands remain displaced throughout the country.

One Motswana who was on a private visit to Kenya at the time, gives an account of how inhumane and scary the situation was when the riots started.

I was in Mombasa during the elections. I have never seen people fighting each other like that in my entire life and it is something that I will never forget, said Ms Lorato Khumotaka.

The situation being unbeknown to Khumotaka, except for having seen similar acts only on television , forced her to immediately change flights.

All hell broke loose immediately after the announcement of the results as people went out in the street and riots erupted. I was watching from the hotel window as people beat each other up, and firing buildings with petrol booms. I then decided it was time to go home, Ms Khumotaka who was on a private visit to the East African country said.

That was never to be the case however, as everything was literally closed for business. The situation then forced her to stay put and pray for her life.

The streets were full of young people fighting the police for hours. Police had guns and the people had sharp instruments such as arrows and spears.

There was smoke from burning tyres, while many people lay wounded on the ground .

Ms Khumotaka had to stay under protection in the hotel room and wait for the situation to calm down.

We were helpless. I saw young people and women being killed like flies and there was nothing I could do to help. I just sat there and prayed to God to save the lives of people especially women and children, she said.

The riots continued for days and it was on the second day of the New Year that Ms Khumotaka was able to leave the hotel room and caught a flight to Nairobi.

In Nairobi the situation was no better. There was riot there too.

There was a demonstration by opposition supporters . There was a mass rally by the park where Odinga was supposed to address his supporters. Violence continued as the police barred the followers from attending the rally, she said.

Khumotaka said the demonstrators were mostly young people brandishing white cloths- a symbol of peace.

I was amazed by how men hit each other with rocks, while police fired tear gas and turned on water cannons to beat back several hundreds of protesters from going into the park,she said.

Ms Khumotaka said in one street the restriction angered the youth that they torched a section of the most expensive mall in Nairobi.

She said she was able to catch a flight on the fourth day of the new month to come back home.

Ms Khumokata said her bad experience in Kenya has made her appreciate life and her country more.

From that day I have realised that we are a blessed nation to not go through what other countries are going through, she said.

The violence has shaken Kenyas stability and has left many Kenyans stranded with no supplies of food and shelter. BOPA