Canada World Youth (CWY) continues to monitor the situation in Kenya post the December 27 elections.  Through regular phone calls and emails with our field staff, partners and the Canadian High Commission (CHC), we have been able to follow closely the evolution of events and assess the climate in Kimende and surrounding areas.  As we reported earlier this week, Kimende has not been affected by post-election activity and despite everything, life has carried on in this small community.  Participants have returned to their work placements and have been meeting for their Educational Activity Days.  Julie Pyon, Canadian project supervisor, shared with us that the team is doing well and has been following the news via radio and television.   Like all of us, they are struggling to make sense of what has happened but they are doing so with tremendous maturity and perspective. 

On Saturday morning we had a lengthy conversation with an official with the Canadian High Commission in Nairobi. He shared that some measure of normalcy is returning to life in Nairobi as the violence has abated, all roads are open, businesses are operating and people have returned to work.  He also confirmed that the Canadian High Commission is not calling for the evacuation of any Canadians at this time.

Following the recommendations of the CHC and given the stability within Kimende, we have decided that participants will remain in the host community where they are safe and in the care of their host families, partners and field staff.

In the meantime, we are working with our counterparts at KENVO and the Canadian High Commission to map out a series of contingency plans that would allow Canadian participants to leave Kenya should we decide to repatriate the Canadians.  Please be assured that we will continue to work proactively to manage the health and safety of participants as this is the number one priority of Canada World Youth and KENVO.

This site will be updated when there is any change in the status of the program.

If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact Ms. Tabish Surani, Program Manager at 416-526-1019.