Peace wanted alive: an artist’s response to Kenya’s post-election violence

Craig Halliday

doi:10.20919/exs.10.2020.258

Abstract

In this article I examine how the chaos of Kenya’s PEV became the source of motivation for Solo 7’s peace activism. For the artist, the term "chaos" was initially understood as a metaphor for the violence and destruction in the slum of Kibera (where Solo 7 resides), which upturned daily life as people knew it. The article will go on to argue that once this particular episode of chaos came to an end, other forms emerged – notably, an anxiety as to whether violence might reoccur, but also the uncertainty of surviving day to day in a precarious and highly unequal society. These multi-layered connotations of chaos created new subtexts for how Solo 7’s peace slogans and activism were interpreted and used by both the artist and public. [...] And they are needed today more than ever.

Highlights

In late December 2007, violence engulfed Kenya following the disputed result of the presidential election
The article will go on to argue that once this particular episode of chaos came to an end, other forms emerged – notably, an anxiety as to whether violence might reoccur, and the uncertainty of surviving day to day in a precarious and highly unequal society
The Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, which had been in power since independence, was defeated – representing Kenya’s first democratic transfer of power

Summary

Introduction

In late December 2007, violence engulfed Kenya following the disputed result of the presidential election. In this article I examine how the chaos of Kenya’s PEV became the source of motivation for Solo 7’s peace activism.

Results

Conclusion