5. What are your thoughts on the 2007/2008 elections and the aftermath that occurred? Were you or your family affected by the violence?



No one I know was directly affected; most of my family was in Kisumu (because it was during Christmas time when it started) so people were in the countryside for the holidays. Most of the violence was happening in the towns and in the [ghettoes] and my family isn’t in those [communities]. No one was directly impacted. Obviously there was shortage of food, shortage of a lot of things so they were affected in that way, not physically affected. My thought on it was that I was really shocked. I remember I was here (in the U.S.) and my family and I were looking at the polls on the internet because it came up live stream and when everything went down I was shocked because Kenya has never been that kind of country to have violence. Amongst the east African area, the Somalis, the Ugandans, [and] other countries that are having civil and political strife but Kenya tends not to be that way. When the ’07-’08 violence happened I was really shocked. I am going back to Kenya this year to do more around the topic. I learned just how deep it went. I learned the political lines were really drawn based on ethnicity and just how people kind just went...their souls were taken out. It was just some sort of vengeful thing that had grown for decades you know? It kind of just came to be. I’m kind of nervous because not much has changed since ’07-’08. I am nervous about next year’s election. I think the only reason that things may not happen next year would be because there would be more international watch and pressure for such violence not to happen.  The ethnic tensions and the deep-seated political ties that people have from independence; those have not been addressed well. We’ll see how it goes.

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6. Can you delve into your sense of community as a Kenyan in America? Does it differ from the sense of community with other Americans? Furthermore, what role does family and community living in Kenya play in your life? 



Being born and raised in Jersey, I kind of always considered myself to be an American. I never really reconnected with my Kenyan roots until maybe three years ago when I studied abroad my junior year. Before then I had only visited Kenya maybe twice when I was very young and I can’t even remember those times so essentially I grew up as an American, as an African-American I would say. Even though, the city where I grew up has a large Kenyan community so there were a lot of Kenyan functions were I was able to keep some of the culture in terms of food and music but in terms of language and knowing what’s going on in Kenya I had no clue, I wasn’t a part of that. When I went to Kenya in 2010 for my study abroad that was when I realized how much I missed out in terms of knowing my root culture and getting close with all my family members there, realizing I have a home in Kenya. Like now I feel like Kenya is my home and if anything pops off in the US, I can just run back over there. It’s been a process for me growing up but I’m really happy I got the opportunity to reconnect in that way.



I feel like, in general, Kenyans are a bit more social and people feel more comfortable. I feel like there’s a brotherhood amongst most Kenyans. When I was in Kenya it was much easier to meet and socialize with people. I feel like when I’m in the US, and I guess it depends on where you live in the U.S., right now I’m in the suburbs so it’s difficult to connect with the people around me. There’s a bit more of a feeling of family in Kenya. I would go out somewhere and it was almost 100% sure that I would make a friend going out somewhere. Sometimes it’s not that easy here. I think it’s because America is much more diverse, it’s much more, what’s the euphemism that people use? It’s more of a melting pot; people come from different areas and try to meld together. Whereas, in Kenya, there are a lot of things that tie people together including language [and] history. The city that I grew up in in New Jersey, there’s a large immigrant community, but I feel that it is so segregated. It’s not as melded as I would like it to be. I think that it has something to do with America being so diverse and each community having its own identity and motivations.



7. What Kenyan artist(s) or art forms inspire you? What characteristics of the arts do you wish to see in community building/ peace efforts and why?



In terms of art forms, the one I felt had the most impact was theatre. I saw a lot of theatre when I was there, using theater for reconciliation.  People brought their experiences into theatrical performances. I can’t specify a specific artist; I wouldn’t say I know one who inspires me in terms of community building.

Boniface definitely inspired me. He has a serious, serious passion for the progression and freedom of Kenya and uses his photography to do that. I think what inspired me most is his fearlessness. He does not care; he will use his camera and document the issues in his country. He doesn’t care if he’s saying something about any of the politicians, as long as he is bringing the truth to light.

8. What is your vision for Kenya and what direction would you like to see the country take after the next election cycle?



I would say that my vision for Kenya is that it becomes a place where people’s rights are taken seriously. I feel like right now there’s a lot of unrest. Finally I feel like Kenyans are starting to step up against what I would call the dictatorship that is the government and really fight for their basic rights. For the MP’s to not increase their salaries anytime that they want when there are so many people living in the slums [in] Nairobi and throughout the country. When [there isn't]  adequate water, when power and lights are always going off you know? Just having the basic necessities that any human should have. The ability for people to access their dreams through education and through whatever means that they need to socially move up. I feel like in Kenya right now you are born into the social status that you will remain in and it’s very difficult to be socially mobile. Just having the opportunity to rise despite whatever status you were born into.

Miriam echoes the growing sentiment among Kenyans that art can spark change. Art has helped propel peace efforts in Kenya and support community building. STB urges writers, artists, musicians and others to unite and support an artistic peace platform that inspires and provides hope. Miriam’s statement about how Kenyans need access to basic services and provisions in order to succeed resonates with me. In my opinion, all people should have their basic needs met as an inherent human right. I see art as a medium through which we can attract attention from the powers that be and empower ourselves in the process. We must continue to use art as a means to inspire and spark change. In so doing, we will share the message that art is a viable form of healing, reconciliation and agency.