By Bridget Burrows

Elections in Kenya on 27 December 2007 sent a spasm of violence across the country. 
 
The cause of the conflict was political on the surface - a disputed election between President Kibaki and the opposition leader Raila Odinga.
 
The protests over who had won the election escalated into unprecedented violence and destruction of property, leading to over 1000 deaths and the internal displacement of over 300,000 people

 
Underneath the veneer of politics was ethnic tensions born out of poverty and disenfranchisement.   
 
Caritas responded both by providing food, sanctuary, and care to those affected, and with a high level advocacy campaign nationally in Kenya, in Africa and internationally.

A joint appeal by Caritas members aimed to help 30,000 people in Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western provinces.
 
A second appeal looking at longer term rehabilitation was launched in May to provide 25,500 people directly and 150,000 people indirectly with access to food, shelter and resettlement, water, sanitation and hygiene, psychosocial, peace building and reconciliation. 
 
Please support our emergency work
 

Read the stories of these women and their families and how they came to terms the conflict. 
Rosemary Wanjala, a coordinator for Operation Hope.
“It was a very insecure and stressful period. We were the first people to start talking to the community after the violence. People were angry and scared. We just wanted to give them an opportunity to talk and share.”
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Susan Buyukah and Lilian Sireka, counsellor and patient
“Counselling helps reconciliation. When people feel anger and revenge, you explore where those options lead.”
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Rosemary Ogembo, no where to go
“My wish is that I could get a job, at end of each month I could be assured, or could get money to lease own farm, or money to get a small business.
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