Elections usually happen in all the provinces at the same time in Kenya. This year though there are six special elections happening. Six MPs, one from Nakuru, died in a plane crash while they were enroute on a peace mission to the Marsabit, a very dangerous place on the border of Kenya and Ethiopia. Because of this there is now an election for the MPs who will carry out the remainder of the term, which I have been told is about one year.

Because of this election I have been getting many of the political views of Kenya, especially those that are Nakuru specific. To start broad and work small, Politics in Kenya is party based, but parties are based on tribe. Kenya is a very tribal country and being that they have 42 different tribes in Kenya there are many different views. The tribe in power is the Kikuyu, they are the largest tribe in Kenya. The President of Kenya is a Kikuyu, and depending on whether you speak to a Kikuyu or non-Kikuyu you see how he is liked. Kikuyus say that he is doing the best with the what he had to work with, which both sides agree was not much. The non-Kikuyus say that his political experience is as a tribal chief and he is not ready to lead a whole nation, but that he is doing the best that he can do.
Nakuru is one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Kenya and just about every tribe is represented, although the Kikuyus are the largest. The MP who died was a Kikuyu, elected for that reason, and was liked by kikuyus and disliked by non. Because of this the upcoming election has two chief candidates one being a Kikuyu and the other being a Pastor who represents all the other tribes. This election seems to be one that will be hotly contested.
Well Robin is telling me that we have to go. Sorry if this post only scratches on the surface, but I now must take my leave.
Erik Talvi