Still Waiting

It looks like the election results might be announced tomorrow.  All of the ballots have arrived in Nairobi and results from 236/291 constituencies have been reported.  The more challenging ballot counting is likely still going on and will continue through the night tonight so we're hopeful there will be an announcement tomorrow or Sunday at the latest.  They continue to walk the fine line of maintaining the integrity of the ballot counting and delivering the results in a timely manner to avoid impatience, frustration and ultimately violence.  There have been numerous stories about unsealed ballot boxes, election officials tampering with results and lost ballots so who knows what will happen once the results are announced.  The last figures I heard put the leader, Kenyatta, at 49% of the vote, below the required 50% + 1 need for an outright victory so a runoff election in April is looking more and more likely, which is disappointing.  If there isn't a runoff the election will likely be taken to the courts as the Odinga camp has pledged to use every legal means necessary to contest the process.  This election has been disruptive enough, the country doesn't need to shut down for another week or two.  This week has been an unproductive one for Kenya as most people are waiting for the elections to be over before returning to their normal schedules.  Matatus aren't really running and many shops are still closed.  If we're released on Monday or Tuesday we were told that we would be transported back to site in private vehicles because we probably weren't going to find public transportation to get us back there.  It's strange to me how disruptive this process has been to the country and how disruptive it's been to our service.  The schools are supposed to resume on Monday but we won't be back there to teach until Tuesday or Wednesday.  I'm anxious to get back and feel productive again.  There's only so much lounging by the pool a gal can do.  Also, this place is making many of us sick.  Between the bed bugs and microbes in the food, many of us are suffering.  We were loaned a PCMO (Peace Corps Medical Officer) from Benin for the week and he has been earning his keep and then some.  I had to do my birding on the grounds of the hotel this morning as I couldn't stray far from home due to some bug I picked up from dinner the day before.  Luckily, we are surrounded by many cool birds and I saw my first African Grey Hornbill so I wasn't disappointed.  Only a few days left to enjoy it.  We hope!