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Circle of Light Resumes Operations in Kenya

Due to safety concerns, Circle of Light's (CoL) in-country operations were suspended for a few weeks during the turbulence. However, CoL services have now resumed.

Kenya continues to be in a state of repair and reconciliation after ethnic violence rocked the country following its December presidential elections. The BBC reports that at least 1,500 are dead and 60,000 had to flee their homes. Due to safety concerns, Circle of Light's (CoL) in-country operations were suspended for a few weeks during the turbulence. However, CoL services have now resumed.

"Our partner, Servanthood and Light for Development Foundation (SLDF), is carefully resuming CoL operations in the country, but at a lower rate," confirms CoL Executive Director Jim Karins. "Services are not up to 100 percent yet."

Karins says that there was no damage to any Circle of Light facilities and that incidences of ethnic violence only took place in four of the 22 communities where the CoL program is active. SLDF Director Nathan Chesang has assisted Christian organizations in reconciliation efforts.

Chesang has also been involved with relief efforts for thousands of displaced persons, who fled their homes due to ethnic violence and camped in the Kitale area. (SLDF and CoL headquarters are located in Kitale.) Working with the local Red Cross, SLDF helped provide services and support, including food, blankets, mattresses and clothing.

On the political front, President Mwai Kibaki, of the Party of National Unity (PNU), and Raila Odinga, of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), signed an agreement to share some of the political power. Odinga, who is the opposition leader, will be appointed prime minister under the president. However, there still seems to be disputes about how exactly the power is to be distributed.

The BBC has been recently reporting on the Sabaot Land Defense Forces (SLDF) in the Mt. Elgon region. Although this militia group shares the same acronym with CoL's Kenya partner, Servanthood and Light for Development Foundation (also SLDF), the two groups are not associated in any way.

The militia SLDF group is responsible for killing several people, including innocent civilians, to reclaim what they consider ancestral land that belong to the Sabaots.

Servanthood and Light for Development has and continues to be confused with the offensive militia. SLDF Director Nathan Chesang has had to deflect accusations and threats by people who assume that the Christian ministry is involved with the militia group.

For regular updates on news in Africa, including Kenya, visit the BBC Africa news page.

Prayer requests for Kenya:

Pray that peace and reconciliation continue both in parliament and in the countryside.
Pray that Servanthood and Light for Development Foundation will continue get Circle of Light services and activities back up to normal operating levels.
Pray for the thousands of displaced people who are camped in the Kitale area, where the Servanthood and Light for Development Foundation offices reside.
Pray for SLDF Director Nathan Chesang as he partners with other Christian organizations in reconciliation efforts and participates in relief efforts with the local Red Cross.
Pray that the Lord protects the Servanthood and Light for Development Foundationfrom threats, fear and dangers, which have been created because they are confused with the militia group near Mt. Elgon.