2007 post election violence and the response of Seventh-day Adventist church: a case study of Eldoret east district, Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to discuss the 2007 post election violence and the response of the Seventhday Adventist Church in Eldoret East district. Political factors. inequitable resource al location, land issues. prejudice, failure of the Police. communal conflicts, hate speeches, the media, tribalism and discrimination were discussed as the causes of the 2007 PEV. Mass loss of life, displacement of persons, destruction of property fear of fresh ethnic clashes, injuries. fluctuation of the economy. food shortage. alteration of land tenure system, sexual based violence, effects on schools, health related problems and environmental consequences \\ere discussed as the negative effects of the 2007 PEV. After the 2007 PEY. the study indicated that Kenyans have cherished the spirit of development, co-existence, peace, unity, and reconciliation more than ever before. This led to the formation and implementation of the new constitution that provides equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of their ethnic backgrounds. Consequently, the Kenyan people demonstrated solidarity by conducting peaceful general elections in 2013. The SDA Church responded to the 2007 PEV by preaching love, peace and solidarity. proving food and non-food items, offering prayers and counseling services. negotiating between warring communities, visiting the clash victims, and rushing the injured to the hospital. Churches were used both as hiding places and shelters for the affected persons. However. the Church was also used by politicians to utter hate speeches, propagate tribalism and discrimination. The study \! as descriptive in nature and adopted qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling was applied to the subjects the researcher believed had relevant information on the problem under investigation. Interview, questionnaire. and observation were the main tools for data collection.