The streets became battlefields. Homes became bunkers. Neighbours became adversaries. With businesses and public services closed, hospitals and morgues became the busiest centers of activity.

Disciples in Kenya were not spared. Kibera, the largest slum in Kenya, was a major focal point for the horrors in Nairobi city. Kibera is home to many disciples. While thankfully none died, they have almost all been greatly affected.

Abel Musungu explains. "There was total anarchy. People were looting stores left, right and center, and burning down people’s homes." For the most part people were targeted according to what tribe they are from. Men were hacked to death by machete-wielding gangs and many women and girls were raped. While official figures put the death toll country-wide at 299 by 6 January, the actual figure is estimated by some to be far greater than that.

One teen from the church was accosted by a gang wielding machetes and was only saved because a friend of his from the same tribe as his attackers stepped in to dissuade them.

"Some disciples fled their homes and sought shelter at the police station or at a stadium that is close to Kibera." They are trying to get by on relief food which is shared by hundreds. Abel continues. "There was no food, no medicine, no money. It was terrifying."

While the storm has calmed to an extent, scars remain. Fear still grips the residents because the orgies of violence could re-ignite at any time, especially given that the political situation that sparked the madness has yet to be resolved.

"I took my wife and children to our rural home to remain there until Kibera is safe again," shares Amos Kioko. "Near my house three people were shot dead by a gang that had cornered them. Two families of my closest neighbours were forced out of their houses and people from a different tribal origin were brought in to take over those houses."

In this atmosphere, disciples could not see each other or meet for fellowship. Many were holed up in their houses, running out of food, for fear of the threat of death if they stepped out of their doors. "I would try to pray," Amos recounts, "but the sound of gunshots would distract me and grip me with fear. I couldn’t concentrate when trying to read my Bible."

Many of the disciples in this area earn their living from daily or weekly payments from casual labor. At this point, there was no labour and no income, but there were still hungry mouths to feed.

On Sunday January 6, with enough peace in the city for disciples to meet for worship, several people brought donations of food and clothes, which were distributed to needy families, many of whom are needy even in a best-case scenario, and so in desperately dire straights now.

Disciples from Kibera were grateful for the help of their Nairobi brothers and sisters, and were (as indeed the whole church was) refreshed to be back together again, praying, singing, learning from the Word, fellowshipping and being a family.

Abel said, though, after service, "Here today at church, surrounded by the other disciples, we feel good. But going home will bring back feelings of tension, fear, emptiness and loss."

While some might read this and correctly say, "I’ve seen worse," or "I’ve heard of worse," the reality of the matter remains: our brothers and sisters and their children are going without food, clothing, shelter or medicine. They are going without peace. They are going without any guarantee that things will get much better any time soon.

Other disciples in other parts of Nairobi and Kenya are facing similar horrors. They need us. They need our support. They need our prayers. All disciples and all people living in Kenya need your prayers. Please pray with us and for us.

Rayola Osanya-Nyyneque

Nairobi Christian Church