Eldoret Massacre Memorial

Sundi and I visited Kenya’s Western province last week. The trip included visits to IDPs (refugees), prisons, and other places in Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, and Eldoret. We’ll tell you a bit more about it over the next few days, but first the pictures of the Eldoret church need to be seen alone.

It was haunting. The burned out houses could be seen from the man road, and continued far into the village of Kiambaa. As we were driving in we could trace the path that people were fleeing, which finally led to the Kenya Assembly of God church. 300 youths attacked the village, coming from 3 different directions.

Below is the entry to the church compound that was burned to the group with 35 women and children trapped inside. There were no men inside because they were outside the church trying to defend their families, but they were overpowered by a group of about 300 youths. It was New Year’s Day 2008.

Below is Sundi placing a flower on the ground, where the doorway of the church was.

This is what is left of the church, viewed from the front and from the side.



The officers keeping guard at the village said that many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition. Below are a few images that I will never forget.

This was near the gate. This kid was trying to run away but did not make it.

The house below backs up to the church property. It is made of cement, so although the roof and insides were burned out, the walls still stand. Some plain clothes officers are living there, keeping vigil over the village.



What really impressed me was the writing on the wall, left just before the owner of the house relocated to Nakuru.

This house will one day be a symbol of forgiveness. It will be so.
We did not need politics to do this to each other. Hatred is all we needed.

It's a bit hard to read, but this one summarizes it well: I forgive you.

We are meeting with the owner of the house on Friday to share stories and try to encourage one another. Since our court date is Friday (4/4), we hope we will have good news to celebrate rather than yet another cancellation. But either way, this woman has already spoken volumes to our hearts....and given us a bit of perspective.