By Mary Mwendwa
Title : God’s Child On The Run
Author : Omwa Ombara
Publisher : Christian Faith Publishing
Published : 2018
Kenya’s elections are the most dreaded.Words like Tumeweka mikakati kwamba hakutakuwa na wizi wa kura ( We have put plans in place that there will be no stealing of votes) , are most common during electioneering period.
Song and dance dominates, empty promises are made, violent youths make their kill and politicians have their way.
However , despite all these sweet words, irregularities are always reported .
God’s child on the Run is a sad account of a Kenyan dedicated journalist who almost lost her life because of the 2007/2008 elections that saw the country bleed .Lives were lost,property destroyed and many became homeless.Hidden scars of tribalism that had been buried for a long time resurfaced like big tides of the ocean.
Omwa Ombara found herself being trailed and tracked because of her firm stand of upholding journalistic ethics. She was not a darling to any political camp, she stood for her truth and above all, the voiceless were close to her heart.
God’s child on the run is not just any other book that you read and put on the shelf as you wait for another one.This book takes the reader through a chilling account of how a single phone call from International Criminal Court ICC made Omwa’s life difficult.
The phone call that pointed her to be a potential witness at the ICC saw her life change .The once famous journalist in one if Kenya’s mainstream media house was now on the run.Being followed by state agents, travelling non -stop, sitting in bars without any agenda and living in a safe house.
Omwa takes the reader through a normal scenario of how brown envelop is deeply entrenched in Kenyan journalism. It is so common that anyone who seems to be against it is seen as an outcast.
She refused an offer of a piece of land from a famous politician from the Rift Valley .She was targeted for her stand .
This book is a true reflection of how standing for the truth is very painful , it can lead to death.Thank God Omwa has lived to tell her story.
There are three elements I find in this book very captivating.One is the cat and mouse scenario where Omwa escaped the ugly jaws of death by being followed by state agents because of ICC ,the other one is about her work as a team leader in a newsroom during elections at Kenya ‘s Coastal town and lastly her candid and hilarious tales of her home town that puts some smile in whole sad story .
Very few people get to speak about life in the safe houses, through this book, the writer takes you through a journey in the safe house. It is a place where many are wounded,traumatized ,desperately need healing and are waiting for Gods hand to show upon them.
Omwa moved from one safe house to another, her communication cut from the rest of the world and her only hope was to see herself free , free from her enemies who wanted her dead.
This book not only makes one shed tears, but there are other moments one laughs, really loud .She speaks about her family, her grand mother, her mother and other family friends who put a smile on her face during her childhood and her adult life.
For any one who has never stepped in Kisumu , this book gives you a glimpse of how that lake side city looks like.From the culture and scenaries .
This is a book that every journalist across the world must to read. Journalists get to underestimate their risks, but in true sense they make many enemies when they stand and speak out the truth through their tools of trade – pen and paper.
It is a book that teaches a lesson, never ever take for granted the little freedom you have. It can change in a fraction of a second.
Above all, it is a wake up call to all journalists out there, speak and stand for the truth, there is always light and the end of the tunnel.Let the truth live.
