Although the Somali Islamist group al-Shabab claimed responsibility for attacks on the towns of Mpeketoni and Maporomoko, President Kenyatta described this as “politically motivated ethnic violence against a Kenyan community”.
In early July, the political opposition held a rally in Nairobi to press for a referendum on a list of current problems, including the security situation. The rally passed off peacefully.
The row prompted fears across Kenya that further political exchanges of this kind could reignite ethnic tension.
Philip Koskei, 52, a Kalenjin who lives in the town of Kaptembwo near Total, owns a maize mill which he opened after the 2008 violence. He believes that Kenyan politics are as incendiary as ever.
“People are living together well now, but things change when elections come and people turn against each other,” he said.
Evaline, a Luo who also lives in Kaptembwo, agreed.
“People are living here in fear because even before [the opposition rally], there had been leaflets dropped here telling the Luos to leave,” the 35-year-old businesswoman said. “Some families I know went home and were in their rural homes during [the rally].”
While Mwanzo Mwema members do not see it as a magical solution to ethnic divisions, they believe it can help different communities coexist.
“It was hard at the beginning, but with time we have learnt to live together peacefully, though I can’t easily forget what happened,” Violet Kayanja said. “Even though it at times changes, we can now see that there is peace.”
(Anthony Langat is an IWPR contributor in Nairobi.This article is part of IWPR’s Kenya Security series. It was produced as part of a media development programme implemented by IWPR and Wayamo Communication Foundation in partnership with The Star newspaper and Capital FM.)
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