We all remember with horror the aftermath of the 2007 presidential elections in Kenya, which saw months of rioting and political violence, and resulted in the deaths of more than a thousand of its citizens.

This weekend, the world was again watching and, this time around, holding its breath, hoping for no accusations of vote tampering and an atmosphere of peace at the polls.

So far, so good. Uhuru Kenyatta has been declared the victor, though there are indications his opponent – Raila Odinga, the current prime minister – will appeal.

Because of the nature of our work here at OpFistula, what struck us in a New York Times piece recounting the election was a single – but telling – quote from a Kenyan citizen. In discussing the country’s tribal fracturing in juxtaposition with national cohesion, the article, by Jeffrey Gettleman, noted that the perception of outside (i.e. Western) influence is a “galvanizing factor” in Kenyan voters’ minds. Gettleman quoted a Kenyatta supporter, Edward Kirathe: “Kenyans may be tribalists but we are also nationalists ... If someone from the outside tells you not to select someone, then that is the person you go and select.”

This is the kind of raw information that should never be skimmed over. It may be one line from one man regarding one election, but the undercurrent of the message is clear: we can’t – and shouldn’t – work where we are not wanted.

This truth is at the crux of our operational partnerships. With the best of intentions, some organizations have been known to “parachute in” and impose their beliefs or methodologies on the populations they aim to help. This will never work in any kind of sustainable way. More than that, there is high potential for damage to unrelated working relationships when this kind of project implementation is practiced.

We know we’re going to make mistakes along the way. But we are committed to working interdependently with our partners on the ground. And we promise we will always be listening to ensure we are wanted.