I arrived at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport late last night for my 3rd production trip. It was an historic day for Kenya.

When I walked to the International Arrivals line I noticed that all of the work stations were empty. As several Immigration officials scrambled to their desks, I saw about a dozen airport workers crowded around a wall-mounted TV watching Kenya’s first ever presidential debate. Never before had the country had presidential contenders – on this night there were eight on stage – take part in a debate prior to an election. Waiting in line at the airport, I felt the weight of the moment. Our film tells a story that is part of this bigger story, a story with many thousands of Kenyans changing the way they do politics and choose leaders.

Leaving the airport with Titus, my reliable driver and friend, at the wheel, we listened to the final half hour of the debate. I didn’t hear many specifics, but the tone was right. The eight aspirants spoke in English, some a bit better than others, and I wondered if this might be a barrier of understanding to many Kenyans who are more comfortable speaking Swahili. I also know the debate may be re-broadcast with Swahili subtitles and translation.

As we drove through the center of Nairobi, I saw a large group of people standing outside along the street watching the closing minutes of the debate on a jumbo TV placed outside a shop. The city roads that are normally busy with cars even at that hour were almost empty. It felt like almost all of Kenya had stopped and was watching this important event in the life of the country. This morning I read that the debate was aired live on 8 TV stations, 34 radio stations and a Google live stream. A second debate is scheduled for February 25th.

This historic debate reminds me again how Peace in Our Pockets is a micro-story playing out on a complex, ever-changing, at times difficult to comprehend national political landscape. Over the next weeks I will be hearing, seeing and learning more about how Sisi ni Amani’s Coordinators and Staff have expanded their peace work and how this work is contributing to a more peaceful Kenya.

Some post debate links here:

The Nation
The Guardian
Aljazeera
BBC
Capital FM
Youtube stream of entire debate