NAIROBI, 11 August 2009 (IRIN) - Peace-building and reconciliation in Kenya have taken centre-stage following the 2008 post-election violence which killed at least 1,200 people and displaced more than half a million.

Many of those who took part in the violence were young. IRIN spoke to 17-year-old James Otieno in Nairobi's Mathare Valley slum; he was displaced and spent months in an internally displaced people’s camp.

"It was very bad here in Mathare. Luos and Kikuyus who had been living together before the elections started to fight each other. Mathare was very divided [along ethnic lines].

"The Luos controlled Mathare C and the Kikuyus Kosovo area. No one could cross to the other side. They would be chased, beaten or killed.

"I lived with my aunt in Mathare C since I lost my parents as a child. When things got very bad, we had to leave; we moved to camps.

"When the politicians started to talk [about forming a coalition government], things got better. Then there was Operation Rudi Nyumbani [a government resettlement plan in May 2008]. My aunt and I left the camps to come back home.

"It was hard at first; everybody was scared. We were not free. I could not even see my friends. But then calm returned to Mathare slowly. Russia [a local multi-tribal youth vigilante group] was formed. They patrol and provide security. I started to see my friends again. We played football and did things like before. I have friends from all tribes.

"I don’t like fighting. But we must forget the past and go on with the future. I don’t want any more violence. In 2012 [when Kenya is scheduled to hold general elections], I don’t want to see any more violence.

"These days, I help my aunt to brew and sell changaa [an illegal alcoholic drink] like we did before. This is our life. It is not a good life. That is why I want to be a photo-journalist. I like to take pictures.

"Last year, I was one of the winners of Shoot Nation, a competition organized by Plan UK. They showed our pictures in UN offices. My aunt was very proud. I want to be a professional photographer one day."
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