Nairobi, Kenya: "Unsettled"

“So how is Nairobi?” I asked the taxi driver as we headed from the airport to our hostel weaving in and out of light traffic that seems to have only one rule: the biggest vehicle has the right of way.  “Unsettled,” he replied.  That word seemed to describe the way people feel having had two grenade attacks within a week from Somali terrorists retaliating against Kenya for sending troops to help put the rebels down. The driver said, “the Somalis are right here among us.  They are right in our city.  They are attacking ordinary people in bars and busses.” Now, to put this in perspective one must bear in mind that more people undoubtedly died in Nairobi traffic accidents than from these grenade blasts during the two different days that they happened.  But that misses the point.  There is the deep feeling of being violated and the nervousness that comes from not knowing where it could happen next. “Are there less visitors coming into the airport since these two attacks?” I asked the driver concerned that the struggling Kenya economy will take yet another hit because of tourists and safari-goers staying away.  “Oh yes,” he replied.  “Much fewer visitors are coming in right now.” Well, many are staying away, but we are here.  Interestingly, the targets have been specifically Kenyan as opposed to “western” targets.  We do not feel unsafe as we check into our familiar room at the small convent that rents nightly rooms in the “Upper Hills” area.  But we do empathize with our brothers and sisters here, knowing a little of what it means to have acts of terrorism hit our home land.  We also share the concern that those in the poorest areas—where famine has already made life more than difficult—will  be the ones who suffer most as financial woes trickle down. We are merely passing through Nairobi for now as we head for Kitale and Kisumu but are hoping to be able to connect with our friends here in Nairobi later in the month. Thanks, guys, for keeping us in your prayers for safety, travel connections, etc.