Violence in Nairobi, Kenya

Following the post election violence in Kenya, I got to thinking and was asked many times; is Kenya still wonderful, truly? Yes it is.

We pulled together, we sat in fear, but what you may not have seen was the mountains of donations Kenyans left for the Red Cross to distribute to the internally displaced. My eyes teared as I would see the bins empty in the begining of the week, and by the end of the week, they were literally mountains.

The relief in the country, a peaceful country, is palpable. New Year is now upon us many say. Like a relationship, the fights often allow volcanic emotions to overflow and what is replaced is a new visage, dormant and newly sculptured. Kenya has many issues to address with regard to land distribution, and this political event was a catalyst that was much needed.

My beautiful Nairobi is happy again. Her problems to be aired and rectified for fear the poltical dons who have presided over this land since Independence are loose again; it is all good.

Lavington Kindergarten hosted a brillant sports day today where my son Alex came first in a dressing himself relay, my husband was thrilled that all his drilling in the mornings had paid its dues. He however had to run with the Fathers who had to bathe a doll baby, put a nappy on the baby, a dress (this defeated my Husband's relay team mate) and wheel it back in a pushchair; well they were damn near disqualified as the "baby" had its nappy on its head and the dress half on...

What struck me today, at Sports Day was there were French speakers, Dutch, Thai, Kenyans of all tribes - it was like a cultural siege and I am so pleased my children are growing up in such diversity.

Kenya is the ultimate stir fry of characters, cultures, ethnic diversity - a rich meal for all who try it.