Words By Sammy Gitau Iregi

Image by Mwangi ‘Mwarv’ Kirubi

“Please sir! Give me that candle so that I can light it for that picture,” young 10 year old Joseph demands.

“Why that picture?”  I enquire as I hand him the candle.

With eyes full of confidence, trust and a child’s innocence he answers, “because he is our President!”

And just like that he proceeds to light the candle.  Next to him, a younger child, about 6 years old, is being assisted to place a burning candle below pictured moments of post election violence of 2007.

Recently in Nairobi, the capital city of our nation, the Heal The Nation documentary was screened and thousands gathered from all walks of life to light up candles in commemoration of victims who died as a result of the senseless violence that followed the 2007 national elections in Kenya. Sadness was written all over the faces of the people going through the reality translation of the events that should never have happened.

A whistle was blown and the whole group stood at attention as the National flag outside the City Hall was lowered. The was blown for a second time and the Kenyan artist, Juliani, called out, “Hello, Hello! Hello!”. The crowd joined him in calling “Hello! Hello! Hello!”

A call of hope, Hello for Peace!

Hello to the trust of children, for meaningful presidency in Kenya!

Hello to the memories of yesterday, for today we commit our all to peace!

Hello to peace for prosperity of our people!

Hello to daytime peace and nighttime serenity!

Hello Kenya! Ni Sisi!

Watch the documentary ‘Heal The Nation’.

Download for free Post Election Violence Images E-book “The Price of Tribal politics” 

Due to the graphic nature of some of the images in the documentary and e-book, viewer discretion is advised.