Shock and dismay over the ethnic killings, destruction of property, and displacement of tribal communities in reaction to disputed presidential election in Kenya have spread far beyond Africa. Even as UPF-Kenya was planning its local peace efforts, UPF-USA went forward with a leadership forum in Washington, DC, on January 26, 2008, featuring Kenya’s Ambassador to the US, Hon. Peter Ogego, as a keynote speaker.

Joseph Wakaria, the Executive Director of Jamii Africa, a Washington-based non-profit organization, began by explaining that the current explosion of intertribal violence could be traced back to previous undercurrents of animosity. There was a palpable urgency in the standing-room only audience, along with an obvious love for the motherland, Africa.

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Dr. Sulayman Nyang, Chair of the African Studies Department at Howard University, suggested that Kenya stands out in East Africa because of “settler colonialism,” which created tension not only between whites and blacks but between blacks and blacks. ”Problems in neighboring countries resonate in Kenya, and refugees live in Kenya along with others who were brought from outside, such as the Indians,” he said. He summarized the complex relationships between these different groups and analyzed the impact of globalization, global terrorism, and the fight between extremist groups playing out in Kenya.

A couple of speakers sounded a note of warning of what could happen in Kenya if a peaceful resolution cannot be found. Dr. Greg Stanton, the founder of the International Campaign to End Genocide, told the audience of his experience of being in Rwanda in 1994, before the genocide began, and he sees similar signs in Kenya.

“There is one race, the human race,” said Stanton; “99.9 percent of our DNA is the same. We are of the same family; and there is one God who made us all. This is one fundamental reason why genocide is such a sin and a horror.” Stanton described genocide and tribalism as not just African problems, stating that more than 100 million Europeans were killed in the twentieth century. He explained that efforts are necessary to stop genocide before it takes over a nation. Genocide can be attacked at each stage: classification, symbolization, dehumanization, organization, polarization, preparation, extermination, and denial.

Dandi Lou Amanan from Côte d’Ivoire shared experiences that moved many in the audience to tears. She was a Social Services Officer with the UN Refugee Agency and worked in Côte d’Ivoire with Liberian refugees and in Rwanda during the genocide. The most shocking story was about four Tutsi children who were brought to a refugee center, where Hutu children began to beat them. When she shouted, “Who told you to do this?” they replied, “Our parents taught us we should kill the Tutsis because they have no right to live!”

Mr. Jim Flynn, Secretary General of UPF-USA, agreed that there are many situations where differences are exploited and the worst of human violence is highlighted. However, human beings also have noble qualities, he said. He described an intangible, spiritual essence that defines our common humanity. “It is time for the nobler qualities of all of us to emerge in a positive and strong way,” he stated.

After explaining UPF’s five Peace Principles, Flynn charged the audience to seek reconciliation and reconnect as one human family under God.

This passionate call was followed by an intense yet respectful debate. The speakers received questions from the audience, and the atmosphere was one of understanding and compassion. One woman lamented that her son had been killed in the violence, and the Ambassador assured her that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Ten distinguished participants at the Leadership Forum were appointed as Ambassadors for Peace, and after the program ended, many people continued talking vigorously in small groups. People felt something was being born—a new coalition of players intensely bound by their love of Africa to work together transcending tribalism and expanding the awareness of one African family under God.

Hon. Peter Ogego, Ambassador of Kenya to the United States

Kenya has gone through a lot of problems in the last 25 years. The fact is that many of the ethnic divisions in the country are being used and manipulated by self-seeking politicians who rather easily manipulate the ethnic and tribal groups, stirring them up against each other.

However, there is no quick fix. To start with, we have to educate people about the history and situations in Kenya, and in particular about the colonial injustices that led to the expropriation of the lands from the Kikuyu community.

We have a long sensitive history. The British pushed the Africans out of the central highlands, reserving the center of the country for the blue-eyed folks and leaving us with many complicated problems. Politicians tell the landless people that they are poor because others are rich with land.

When I see a man carrying a machete, intending to chop down another man like a tree, we must act, no matter who that man is or which tribe he comes from. We must bring all the killers to justice. That is something on which all parties agree. Kenya is bigger than the politicians, and a few people cannot ruin the country.

Hon. Peter Ogego was detained for seven years for his role in previous reform efforts, but he has never lost hope in a lasting peace for his country.