GOD’S LITTLE CHILDREN

By Ann Gitari

Looking at the children of All Saints Cathedral Kindergarten playing happily it is clear that they have no idea how the current political situation may adversely affect their future. Perhaps it’s best that way. Besides, they are too young, too innocent, too happy to understand the political crisis in the country. They had nothing to do with it anyway. As they play on their little swings and slides, two parents sit in the headmistress’ office, trying to plead their case.

“We are refugees in this country” one says. ” We came from Eldoret a week ago. My husband and I together with our children are living in a hotel. All we ask is for you to admit our children for a month or two before we can be able to go back home.”

The headmistress, Miss Grace Rwabu has no problem with that. Besides, though she is expecting 150 officially admitted children this year, only 100 have reported so far.

“Some are still in the clash torn areas,” she explains. “However, some parents have opted to transfer them to nursery schools closer to home or in their various estates.”

This poor show in number can be attributed to the fact that Uhuru Park, the proposed venue for the mass action rallies called by a faction of the political divide is just next door. The only structure separating Park from Kindergarten is a church, the All Saints Cathedral – perhaps God’s way of protecting his little ones.

But not all parents are convinced, and on days the mass action rallies have been called, a mere 20 students brave the tear gas and heavily armed security personnel just to learn their ABC’S.

Meanwhile, parents are being forced to purchase uniforms for schools that their children may only attend for a month or two before, they hope, they can go back home. Home, to their other teacher, their old friends, to their old school, where there are no policemen on the way to school.

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