Kenya’s Post-Election Violence: A Story That Refuses to Fade.
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Former radio journalist Joshua Arap Sang has rekindled debate over Kenya’s 2007/8 post-election violence, a dark chapter in the country’s history that left thousands dead, injured, and displaced.
Sang’s intention to sue X user Nyamisa Chelagat for linking him to the violence has ignited a fierce backlash, with Kenyans on X rallying to defend Chelagat and criticize Sang’s legal threat.
The controversy began when Sang, angered by Chelagat’s claims, publicly stated that she must face him in court in January to provide evidence of her accusations.
He also directly messaged Chelagat, warning her and even threatening to involve the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Despite this, Chelagat remained undeterred and even mocked Sang’s threats.
Harrowing Testimonies of Kenya’s Post-Election Violence Resurface
Sang’s move appears to have backfired, sparking an avalanche of disturbing personal accounts from Kenyans who survived the 2007/8 violence. Many shared harrowing stories of attacks based on tribal affiliation, political ties, or ancestral origins.
Victims, using the hashtag #FufuaICC, recounted their trauma, vividly describing the violence that scarred them physically and emotionally.
One Kenyan recalled being 12 years old when they saw someone carrying a severed head at a roadblock, seeking to bury a loved one killed elsewhere.
Another shared how their mother, heavily pregnant during the chaos, succumbed to preeclampsia after enduring immense stress. Other survivors narrated close calls with death, saved only by compassionate neighbors or pure luck.
Lenny Papito recounted how his father bravely protected Luo tenants in Naivasha from machete-wielding attackers by denying their presence, sheltering them for two weeks.
Similarly, Waithera Karanja, then 15, witnessed someone being hacked to death in front of her, a memory that continues to haunt her dreams 17 years later.
Calls for Reflection and Justice
Amid the grim recollections, some Kenyans urged reflection and healing. Ray Otieno observed that all major communities—Kalenjins, Kikuyus, and Luos—committed atrocities against each other during the violence.
He called for a collective promise of “never again.” Lawyer James Wanjeri praised younger victims for openly sharing their experiences, contrasting this with the silence of older generations.
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However, some warned of political deflections as the conversation gained momentum. A prominent X user predicted that political leaders might soon dismiss the discussion as fear-mongering and urge Kenyans to focus on reconciliation and unity, but emphasized the importance of preserving evidence to counter such narratives.
A Conversation That Won’t Fade
As the online discourse continues to unfold, the testimonies serve as a stark reminder of the horrors of 2007/8 and a call for accountability.
Sang’s legal threats may have inadvertently reopened wounds, but they have also reignited a critical national conversation about justice, healing, and the commitment to preventing such atrocities from ever happening again.
Kenya’s Post-Election Violence: A Story That Refuses to Fade.
