Fr. Vincent works for peace in Kenya

Dressed as a Masai warrior, Fr. Vincent Clerkson, explains his biggest fight is to maintain peace in Kenya and tell others about his country.

Fr. Vincent, who has been to the United States twice before, is back again. This time his mission is to explain the conflict that recently occurred in his country and to encourage tourists to again return to Kenya.

"It is a beautiful, peaceful place," he said. Tourism is an important economic activity in Nakuru, Fr. Vincent's home town. The town, and the region, is endowed with vast resources that make tourism a key income source.

"Since the conflict, tourism has dropped off drastically," he said.

Shortly after Fr. Vincent returned to Kenya in 2007, he found the country embroiled in a conflict following a disputed election.

The last general elections were held on Dec. 27.  In them, President Kibaki under the Party of National Unity ran for re-election against the main opposition party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

After a split which would take a crucial 8% of the votes away from the ODM to the newly formed Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K)'s candidate, Kalonzo Musyoka, the race tightened between ODM candidate Raila Odinga and Kibaki. As the count came in to the Kenyan Election Commission, Odinga was shown to have a slight, and then substantial lead. However, as the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) continued to count the votes, Kibaki closed the gap and then overtook his opponent by a substantial margin amid largely substantiated claims of rigging (notably by the EU Observers). This led to protests and riots, open discrediting of the ECK for complicity and to Odinga declaring himself the "people's president" and calling for a recount and Kibaki to resign.

The protests escalated into unprecedented violence and destruction of property, leading to over 1000 deaths and the internal displacement of over 350,000 people.

"There was massive anger," Fr. Vincent said. He did his best to bring peace to his home country. "I came upon two tribes with swords drawn. I told them kill me first, before you kill each other." Fr. Vincent said he was able to help with peace talks because of his ability to speak six different tribal languages. He was able to get the warring tribes to sit down and have a meal together.

Fr. Vincent said other priests in Kenya are also working to settle the tribal disputes. "But priests are human, also," he said. "Some lost their own loved ones in the conflict and have their own anger to deal with."

A Kofi Annan led group of eminent persons of Africa was called in to broker a peaceful solution to the political stalemate.

"It is much more peaceful now but food is scare for many people and many people have been displaced.

Fr. Vincent said he has an increase number of children at his orphanage  St. Vincent De Porres Childrens Home in Nakuru,  Kenya. ‘Many lost their parents in the conflict,' he explained.

Fr. Vincent returned to the United States July 18. He is staying at New Bavaria parish. On August 15 he will travel to study at the University of Dayton.

"I am very grateful to the people who have made this possible," Fr. Vincent said.

"I am always grateful to Fr. Stephen Stanbery for his graciousness in allowing me to stay at his residence," he said. "It is like my second home."

He also refers to local friends Ron and Joyce Verhoff and Theresa and Chuck Birkemeier, who he often refers to as "mom and dad," since both couples provide so much support when he is in the United States.

Frances Meyer has also ‘adopted" Fr. Vincent and makes Rosaries for the people in Kenya.

Fr. Vincent also hopes to raise more money to support his orphanage. To do this he has brought jewelry, purses and scarves made by the children at the orphanage.

"This way they can feel they are a part of helping the orphanage," he said. Anyone interested in purchasing the items may call Deb Wehri at 419-876-3481.

Fr. Vincent's visit to the United States in 2004 was coordinated by area Knights of Columbus. He also returned for a short period in 2007.