Ready, steady......

As Kenyans get ready to go to the polls tomorrow there's a nervous tension in Nairobi. It's broadly optimistic, with no one thinking there will be a repeat of the terrible, unexpected violence of 2008. But no one knows quite what it will be like. The Kenyans we know hope that their country is more mature than 5 years ago and has the confidence to sort its problems in court and not on the streets. But they are not quite sure and whilst they are hoping for the best everyone is getting ready in case it doesn't quite work out like that.
This being prepared just in case....is obvious in all sorts of ways. People who were here last time know that it was difficult to get to the shops and once there they were pretty empty. And it was difficult to get cash too and the mobile phone networks weren't robust. So there are longer than normal queues at the supermarket and the stall at the end of our road, as people take advantage of having February's pay cheque to stock up, just in case. The eggs had pretty much sold out from the main supermarket when Jamie and I went to get the ingredients for his birthday cake and post sleepover fry up yesterday. And people had at least 2 trolleys each - in a society where 95% of spend in supermarkets is with cash that is some pretty major stocking up. According to our guard there is no charcoal for sale in Kibera, one of Nairobi's main high density population area, and as that's the major source of cooking fuel tensions are already a bit higher than ideal.
On the money side, the Mpesa (mobile money) system here which has revolutionised how people send money home, pay bills, and generally manage their cash is showing a bit of strain. The network was down for most of Friday and its been difficult to deposit money into the system (which works on an assumption of cash in equalling cash out most of the time and is currently being swamped by people depositing much more than they are withdrawing).
For us, we have got in extra drinking water and beer, plenty of dry goods and tea, a supply of dollars (just in case we need to head for Tanzania and get visas on the border), a stocked freezer (balancing the risk of no power with the need to eat) and fullish fuel tanks. We have learnt how to use the new radios provided by my work and have had test sms messages from school and my work to check their emergency systems. The kids have had all sorts of emergency drills at school - jamie is most excited by the "lock down" which has all the kids diving under their desks whilst teachers lock doors and shut blinds - I suspect this is pretty routine training in schools in the US but its way beyond the usual fire drills I knew as a girl. They are on half term now (moved to coincide with elections) and lots of their friends have headed out of Kenya, with a fair few opting not to bother to return for the 2 week second half of term but to stay away till mid April and so avoid a Presidential run off. Those of us staying around are looking forward to using all those arts and crafts, word searches and board games that are stored away for rainy days. And we are planning a kids fun day for Thursday to avert the inevitable cabin fever (for both kids and parents) on the assumption that there should be a bit less uncertainty by then.
And against all this just in case planning there is real excitement. A great hope for Kenya's fairest and most credible elections yet, heralding its new constitution and real enthusiasm amongst many Kenyans for the elections, with lots of people I talk to planning to be at the polling stations for 5am to make sure they get to vote. But its a funny mix of hope and fear and certainly something to play by ear over the next few days.
Anne