Peace has Broken Out!

As most of you will have heard, the two sides of the political dispute in
Kenya – PNU and ODM – have come to a power sharing agreement. There is to be a Prime Minister who will run most affairs of government, and all cabinet positions will be shared equally between the two sides. When Kofi Anan made this announcement around 4:30 PM, wild but peaceful celebrations began immediately in Kisumu. The town became a whistling, screaming, ululating, joyous riot of youth screaming up and down the streets on their bicycles, tuk-tuks, matatus and broken down vehicles. It is now 8:00PM and a raucous crowd of young people stretching for 100s of meters along the road passed by the compound where I am staying. They are singing the praises of their hero Raila Odinga. I am told that even in Central Province, the stronghold of the PNU, which would seem to have conceded considerable ground, people are celebrating. Peace has broken out in Kenya and we are all relieved and joyously celebrating.

Best to all,

Bob