God’s Child on the Run by Omwa Ombara 

Each page of this book reminds me of that morning. It was the day when my neighbour, Joram, mistakenly looted and brought home 50kgs of fertilizer from Yatin Supermarket, believing it to be a bag of sugar. It was also the day when my father’s friend, Okero, succumbed to an overdose of looted spirits from Molases (Spectre International). 

For those who experienced the events chronicled in this book, it will likely evoke memories of the chaos and fear that gripped the nation during those “60 days of madness.”  

“God’s Child on the Run” is a powerful memoir that details Omwa Ombara’s experiences during the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya. The narrative is raw and unapologetic, offering readers a glimpse into the horrors of ethnic violence, political unrest and the perils faced by those who dare to speak truth to power.  

Central to Omwa’s narrative is the profound transformation she undergoes after receiving a call from ‘Donata’, informing her that she has been identified as a potential witness for the International Criminal Court (ICC). This call transforms Omwa’s journey from a fearless journalist to a fugitive on the run, hunted by those who seek to silence her. As she grapples with the weight of this revelation, Omwa confronts her own mortality and the harsh realities of challenging power in a society rife with corruption and impunity. In all her troubles, Omwa finds solace in her belief in a higher power, which she identifies as God. 

Omwa also paints a harrowing picture of this violence that was fuelled by longstanding, buried, ethnic differences. “Wrong tribe meant different things to different people. For those who were circumcised, wrong tribe meant you were not circumcised and therefore too weak and cowardly to lead them. For the uncircumcised, wrong tribe meant you were circumcised and therefore too arrogant and reckless to lead them.” 

Through her brave narrative, Omwa reveals the wider issues surrounding press freedom in Kenya and similar authoritarian settings.  

In its rich tapestry of themes, this book delves not only into the depths of pain and resilience but also into the intricate nuances of identity and the profound sense of belonging. Omwa’s narrative gracefully navigates her own identity as a Kenyan woman hailing from Kondele in Kisumu. With humour and warmth, she vividly portrays the vibrant culture and heritage of the Luo people.  

About the Reviewer

Treezer Atieno is a journalist and writer who loves good stories.