As the US and its allies prepare for war on Saddam by building up troops and military personnel in the Gulf to disarm Saddam of his arms of mass destruction, perhaps they should bear this in mind: Saddam is also busy preparing for war. When the US attacks him, he’ll retaliate and probably strike back by using those harmful weapons.

In this part of Africa I have friends young and old who are asking the following:

• How destructive are Saddam’s weapons?
• What effect could those weapons have on human life and the environment?
• Has everything been done to avert this war?

Let those concerned with this war give it another thought, a thought for a peaceful resolution. Let them do so for the sake of the innocent, for Iraq’s women and children and for the sake of Iraq’s neighbours. Public opinion in Kenya is already worried about the possible repercussions of this war on our lives and on our crippled economy. Let this be known to the world, openDemocracy, and let us have some responses, please.

Originally published as part of a debate on 12 January 2003 Writers, artists and civic leaders on the War: Pt. 1.

See also Writers, artists and civic leaders on the War: Pt. II