Would-Be Peacemaker Killed in Kenya

[Omaha Steve]

Source: NYT

By JEFFREY GETTLEMAN

NAIROBI, Kenya — Melitus Mugabe Were, a freshman parliamentarian, could have been one of the keys to unlocking Kenya’s crisis, but he never got the chance.

On Tuesday morning, as he pulled up to the gate of his home, Mr. Were was dragged out of his car and shot to death.

“Whoever did this,” said Elizabeth Mwangi, a friend, “has killed the dreams of many.”


Jon Hrusa/European Pressphoto Agency
Opposition supporters, some armed with machetes, clubs and axes, were scattered by Kenyan paramilitary police in the Kibera slum in Nairobi. More Photos >

Mr. Were was an opposition politician who grew up in a slum, became a businessman and then gave back. He sponsored teenage mothers to go to college, married a woman of another ethnic group and resisted his party’s often belligerent talk. As Kenya slid into chaos this past month after a disputed election, he shuttled between leaders of different ethnic groups and tried to organize a peace march.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/world/africa/30kenya....

[maddezmom]

1. so freaking sad

[Sam Ervin jret]

2. Why the good?Why?

RIP
Mr. Were, may your dreams be harder to kill than one good man

[psychopomp]

3. This is terrible

I have met many Kenyans and they have all been, to a person, kind and loving. I count them among my best friends.