Rob Macaire

UK and KENYA: CONFLICT AND SPORT

I spent the weekend at an extraordinary event, the Laikipia Highland Games.  Although I don't usually blog about what I have been up to, this event was very topical to what is making headlines in the country.  It took place not far from where a brutal armed attack had left over 30 people dead less than a week before, in the latest round of bitter fighting between pastoralist communities in that area.  So it was impressive to see an event that was bringing those very communities together through sport, and to see teams from Samburu, Pokot, Njemps and other communities putting their hearts into athletics and traditional tribal sports at a day dedicated to peace-building.  The noted conservationist Kuki Gallman is the moving inspiration behind this event, and I commend her efforts. 
 
But although these initiatives are tremendously important at a community level, the conflicts are too deep and complicated to be resolved that easily.  The state needs to do more.  For example, while we were in Laikipia for these Games, there was a heavy Administration Police presence.  It was very welcome.  But it is a temporary measure, and what will happen when they leave?  Even while we were there, the AP presence didn't stop a gang armed with AK47s being spotted nearby.  And poaching continues to be a serious problem: we saw an injured elephant by the side of the road; three hours later when we came back it was dead, with its tusks cut out.
 
But nevertheless this was an important initiative, and I was glad that the British High Commission was able to support it.  In fact, part of our support was to offer sponsorship to one of the winners, an impressive sprinter and long-jumper called Jacob Kurere, to go to Kip Keino's high altitude training camp.  Nothing would make me happier than for someone like him to go on and make the Kenyan team competing at the London Olympics in 2012.  Sport retains its ability to reach everyone, and to motivate whole communities.  And in Kenya, there are ways it can be used to break down conflicts between communities, be it youths in Nairobi slums playing football or pastoralist warriors joining events like the Highland Games.  We'll continue to support that sort of initiative.

Posted at 07:28 24 September 2009 by Rob Macaire  |  Comments[0]