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State of Kenya: Humanitarian Crisis

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Friday, 04 January 2008

Thousands of Kenyans continue to flee their homes for fear for the lives, while thousand others are refugees in their own cities and towns. [UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 4th, 9:30pm]

[Scroll to the bottom for latest updates]

President Kibaki has agreed to peace talks as soon as "the violence stops and calm is restored for people to engage in constructive and productive talks."

Kibaki was speaking during his first press conference since his swearing in almost a week ago. ODM leader, Raila Odinga has also agreed to dialogue. ODM will hold rally today at Uhuru Park. It is set to begin at 10am. Like yesterday, GSU have surrounded the park as the rally is still illegal. It is estimated that six people died during yesterday's protest. There are still reports of unrest, especially in Kibera.

There are now over 150,000 internally displaced Kenyans with almost 120,000 of these from the Rift Valley. The Red Cross is appealing for aid here .

UN Under-Secretary-general Anna Tibaijuka met Raila Odinga on Thursday and is seeking audience with Kibaki. Kisumu has been reduced to ashes following weeks of looting and destruction of property (images here ). Many residents are taking flight, however, roads are unsafe so they cannot leave. The US is sending an envoy, assistant secretary of state, Jendayi Frazer, to Kenya today.

Olympic athlete Lucas Sang was hacked to death on New Year's day during the violence that engulfed Eldoret town on that day.

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[UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 4th, 10:05am

Media reports show that there are fewer GSU on the ground than there were yesterday. There has been no report of skirmishes so far. Also, there is no report of people heading for Uhuru Park. The rally was scheduled for 10 'clock.

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[UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 4th, 1:15pm]

Relative calm in Nairobi including Kibera. Reduced police presence in Kibera. Hawkers plead an end to the carnage as they have lost their livelihood. ODM Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o:
Has dismissed AG Amos Wako. ODM wants: Kibaki's resignation, transitional government, with mediation from international community in preparation for election in no less than 3months.

ODM and its supporters will embark on daily demonstrations until their needs are met, this according to Sec Gen Nyong'o. They (ODM Pentagon) are on their way to Uhuru Park.

The Peace Group/Amani Group made up of 43 MPs from ODM, ODM-K, PNU urge peace. Suggest outside strategic mediator "If a house is on fire, you don't start questioning why the fire started, but put it out first and then investigate the reason of the fire."

Amos Kimunya, "Kenya does not need a mediator."

KNUT: Restore peace.

Archbishop Nzimbi (ACK) continues to urge Raila and Kibaki to reconcile their differences. Church leaders from Rift Valley have also called for peace.

Sportsmen/Athletes have also added their voice to the call on peace.

Kisumu West MP elect Olago Aluoch released from custody. He was arrested yesterday for inciting youth. Calm is slowly returning to the the city, although tension is high warranting police presence.

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[UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 4th, 2:43pm]
Following a meeting with Archbishop Tutu, President Kibaki has said he is not averse to forming a coalition government "but clearly there has to be an acceptance that there is a governing authority in the country."

In a meeting with Pres Kibaki, Tutu said, "There is a great deal of hope since both ODM and government have indicated they are open to negotiations.

ODM supporters failed to show up for today's scheduled rally. According to interviews conducted by different media, Kenyans are tired of fighting.

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[UPDATE: Time in Kenya: Jan 4th, 9:30pm]

Failing to have the million man march today, ODM has postponed their rally to Tuesday. Alfred Mutua and Nairobi Water Company dismissed fears that water has been poisoned. (there is an SMS circulating in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru that water is poisoned).

Schools will reopen on the 14th of January. School's first term will be extended by a week. Violence reported in Kakamega forcing businesses to close.

The economy is losing at least Ksh 2billion a day (Kenya Association of Manufacturers). The price of most commodities has gone up to almsot 3 times, while others products are in shortage. This has led to huge losses for many hawkers. The paralysis of the transport system has resulted in perishable goods rotting in markets such as Gikomba in Nairobi.

ODM has unveiled a humanitarian committee to help people in areas affected by violence. Churches and police stations continue to host residents who have lost their homes. In Nakuru, many of these displaced persons are staying at the Nakuru Show grounds. Face acute shortage of food and clothing.

Government's action towards humanitarian crisis. Francis Muthaura, the Head of the Civil Service has set up two humanitarian commissions.

World Food Aid has been unable to get food to the Democratic Rrepublic of the Congo as a result of the violence in Kenya.

Kenya's Red Cross has appealed for emergency funds of 7.5 million US dollars.

Help Save Kenya, an initiative between the Standard Group, Coca Cola Kenya and KCB. Kindly send donations to this account KCB Account #016200562286

We will continue to keep you updated as we receive news. the ground. For news tips and opinion/analysis please write to us: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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written by aeichener , January 04, 2008

*Sigh*
The man has got his sequence wrong. First must come the talks and negotiations, *in order* to calm the situation down and to embrace people of all ranks.

With such reality-blind bigmanism, he obviously tries to emulate Raila. Out of place in this situation.

Alexander

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Olympian hacked to death!
written by InSidious , January 04, 2008

Editors' note: we have read about the incident too. Please add the link or a brief description, InSidious, because your posting was empty.

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written by anonymous , January 04, 2008

How can you ever have a dialogue with an illegitmate government? If anyone can acknowledge that this is an official government, then this is a "farce". The only loser in this, is democracy, and no one else.

Violence is not the answer to anything! BUT neither is cheating and thieving! The government belongs to the people, and not to a few individuals! The Kenyan people have to realise this, and they did the rightful thing by voting peacefully, but Kibaki and his cronies had a different idea! This whole mess would have been avoided if they had not succumbed to their selfishness and greed.

Innocent Kenyans are dying now because of a political sabotage of the highest level. If we the people of Kenya allow this "rape" to go on then our children will suffer the worst wrath!

I leave you with a quote of inspiration by our own son - Barrack Obama.

"Hope is what led a band of colonists to rise up against an empire. What led the greatest of generations to free a continent and heal a nation. What led young women and young men to sit at lunch counters and brave fire hoses and march through Selma and Montgomery for freedom's cause. Hope, hope is what led me here today. Hope is the bedrock of this nation. The belief that our destiny will not be written for us, but by us, by all those men and women who are not content to settle for the world as it is, who have the courage to remake the world as it should be."

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written by Angry kenyan , January 04, 2008

The first thing is to quell the violence and then and only then, should kibaki engage Raila.

Innnocent kenyans are dying because of the primitive and savage behavior of Raila's goons and supporters.

Dying for a savior who has never saved them.

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re:
written by Jandege , January 04, 2008

Innnocent kenyans are dying because of the primitive and savage behavior of Raila's goons and supporters.

Dying for a savior who has never saved them.

So angry Kenyan, since when did the primitive mungiki thugs become Raila's goons? The blame game won't take Kenya anywhere. I watched kikuyu mungiki militia killing a Kenyan live on Sky.

We all know the genesis of this calamity was kibaki rigging elections as the whole world watched. Blaming Raila for the chaos doesn't wash. However if you say ODM should have moved swiftly to avert the violence then we will be reading from the same hymn book. It is this kind of hypocrisy that is alienating certain sections of the society from the rest. When Githongo blew the lid on Anglo-leasing he suddenly became a traitor, not so when kibaki was calling on donors to withhold aid from Kenya when former President Moi was in charge.

All said, Raila should do more to reign in his overzealous supporters while kibaki should also reign in his errant ministers most of whom were voted out from making inciteful comments. I am in London and many Kenyans view kibaki as a kikuyu president, not a Kenyan President.

May be I am bitter at how my beautiful country has been destroyed because someone wants to cling on to power by whatever means. No wonder it is only Museveni who has sent a message of congrats to him. Expect a similar message from Robert Mugabe and Kim Jong Il's message is reportedly on the wire.

God bless Kenya.

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JaNdege
written by Stephen Wanyama , January 04, 2008

The first step to solving our problems will be to stop blaming Kibaki for them. Kibaki has not asked anyone to destroy their neighbourhoods. You and people like you seem to have an almost maniacal interest in domination.
Listen, Raila does not have to be president. I hope you can live with that. Nakuru is NOT burning, Mombasa is NOT burning, Garissa is NOT burning, Kitale is NOT burning, Machakos again NOT burning. The violence has NOTHING to do with the elections but with the same spirit of madness that we saw at the following events

a) Kalonzo's heckling in Mombasa
b) the madness over the Hummer
c) the countless incidents of looting and violence in Kisumu over the last 15 years
d) the countless incidents of ethnic cleansing we have seen in the Rift Valley over the last 15 years.

Again, louder this time. The violence has NOTHING to do with the dispute, the looters started BEFORE Kivuitu's announcement. The same people were causing damage in Ugenya before the election, they were causing damage in Kisumu Rural when Anyang' Nyong'o was annointed the ODM candidate, they were close to slashing Kajwang' head off.

There is a need for urgent introspection. Why are we so maniacal about our politics. Go to any internet forum online, the whole year this same people have been threatening, insulting and generally acting in a violent manner towards anyone who did not toe their line. There is nothing new here.

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Kenya Elections
written by Lee Horowiz , January 04, 2008

First the person who quopted BarracK Obama does not know the poltical nor history of the quote made by Barrack Obama. I am a US citizen and such quote made by Mr Obama is not in fact suitabel for point of view. First in The United Sattes people do not riot . In the last election where Gore lost to George Bush in Florida to supposed vote rigging we did not have violence whatsoever . Neither did Mr Gore incite people to vilence at allk and asked for calm and there was such. Things wree protested here in a democratic way accordingy to election protetocal. In fact Mr Gore asked people to remaioncalm and did not support such violence and eevn vistsde peopel his own democracts to have them remain civil and calm. This is a true leader!!
A true president and leader asks people to remian calm. Instead of visting a morgue to make a "political statement:" The christian and humane way to go about Mr Odenga's and hois party contention is to doso through legal democratic procss without violence and getting his followers into riots, et el >Mr Odenga and his party members have done so. It is clea also that the President of Kenya commuted Mr Odenga act of treason into a pardon whereby in this country you wouldbe hanged or nevere ever allowed to seek poltical office. It is the behvaior of Mr Odeniga and party people undeucated people it appears seenin the rioting areas where such people are provocked toact out. Mr Odinga stated he wan unity in Kenya but has yet to act like leader whatsever. A leader reenounces violence and crowds, he goes to the people injured and killed and helps those people and their family with medical help. food and how they can be kennans instead of such people having to seek asalyum from such crowds o rioters and violence. He goes on TV and shows to all Kenyans he is a man of peace nt violence and to the wqorld. Currently many Americans and Eurpeons believe that because of this there can never evr be reconciliation in Kenya and that at some point there will be ethnictribal cleansing borught about by a man who clams he is a Christian, yet refusees to be a leader and a man of peace and negotiation for all kenyans and the world. We do not see Mr Odinga or his followesr reaching otu whatsoever totake in the homless, the wouded or those displaced or killed in the rioting and violence while Kenya own government is feeding and housing such people.
A leader and president is for the well fare of all people in a nation . It is not us versus them mentality. This is a mentality which is enacted solely on emotions of people who look in the Amercian and Eurpeon and world news as people that are uneduceted and act solely on emtion with no reason or logic then to create chaos, riotng, et el.

If you are truely people of Gaod where are your morals and your peacefull ways to negtoiate disagreements in a peacefull manner. You have setback tourism adnthe economy of Kenya for years now as netiehr I nor other Amerians or froreigners want toc ome to Kenya as we are afraid for our lives. What successfull economy, job development, et el has been set back 10 years now by such behavior of Mr Odinga and his party memebrs. No educataed civilized people would tolerate such behaviors of supposed leaders.

Lee Horowitz, M.Ed, CAGS,
EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Politics amidst death
written by Jandege , January 04, 2008

Wanyama,

Who said Raila had to be president? Democracy has to be respected. Trying to heap blame on Raila won't solve anything. The fact remains Kibaki did not win the election, even Kivuitu says so. EU-EOM, local observers and the AU don't think so, same to a majority of Kenyans.

So Eldoret is not burning? I suppose the charred remains of innocent Kenyans murdered in a church was a fabrication? Propaganda won't help a thing. Watch Al Jazeera, CNN or BBC and remove the blinkers from your eyes. This is about the very foundations of our nation and here you are bringing campaign issues. How callous can someone be? Omingo Magara and Ruto were not assaulted in Kisumu. Raila and Mudavadi were not attacked in Kisumu. Raphael Wanjala was found with weapons and he wasn't ODM.

It is hypocritical to blame kibaki and Raila for not doing much when we blog unhelpful opinions in the safety of our homes. Al Jazeera has shown Kenyans being escorted by the army from Eldoret and Kericho. Our Kenyan brothers have fled Busia, Kakamega and Malaba into Uganda so you are only fooling yourself.

This is not about petty party politics anymore, it is about lives lost and inter-community relations shattered. In the interim, the devil himself can take residence in State House for all we care. The emphasis should be on bringing peace and sanity back in the country. We will deal with the stolen elections which triggered this wildfire later. Peace comes by building bridges not narrow myopia that only confirms why Kenya is so fragmented. If you have a problem with a particular group of people or ethnic community, come clean and get it off your chest. But remember that puts you in the same category as the cowards who murdered helpless children and women in a church.

May ordinary Kenyans realise that peace lies in our hands. We are at the bottom of the pit but we will rise again, without our selfish politicians.

God bless Kenya.

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siasa aside
written by jaya wardene , January 04, 2008

The much awaited elections....(we started electioneering as early as 2003) are over and we find ourselves in the aftermath of the greatest election fraud in the history of multi-party politics.

Some commentators have said, quite rightly that now is not the time to apportion blame. With fires still burning all over, and wounds still raw and in need of treatment all peace loving folk should plead with, urge, even force their respective leaders to sit down and talk; end the useless carnage, stop the illegal evictions and act urgently to ward off hunger, disease and the looming humanitarian disaster.

These are the fundamentals. That this is a time of great calamity is surely not in dispute. Our leaders, opinion formers, our media and we ourselves in these forums all sowed the wind. It is a sad irony that it is the children of the people who may or may not have voted or supported ODM/PNU/ODM-K or any other letters of the alphabet who are forced to bear the brutality of the whirlwind that we have reaped.

Now is not the time for politicking. I urge you all to Pray for peace

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...
written by a guest , January 04, 2008

Wanyama is right that Kibaki and ilk have a maniacal interest in domination.

Recent events at hanging on to power to blatant theft illustrates Wanyama's points quite clearly. The German Foreign Minister, Frank Walter Steinmeir, has called for an independent recount (Kibaki refuses).

The French Foreign Minister, Bernard Kouchner, is quoted on RTL radio thus, "They say it is an ethnic war, yes, but it is also a war for democracy. Were the elections rigged? I believe so, many believe they were."

(Tribalist hate phrase deleted. Ed.)

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Lucas Sang...Good old days
written by InSidious , January 05, 2008

http://www.iaaf.org/news/Kind=2/newsId=42811.html

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Dr.Mutua invokes EBS
written by InSidious , January 05, 2008

Lately, I'm little amused by Dr.Mutua EBS is he now prefers to be acknowledged as. The timing is tasteless. In his latest 'jig' that was aired on CNN, he chides outside interference and hardly blinks when asked of the level of violence. In addition, the backdrop is his House; how appropriate.

He has now invoked EBS (Elder of The Burning Spear) in his latest communique. How brazen, how callous, how odd!

I'll say it again because he seems oblivious to the reality on the ground, people are dying thanks to gangs, bullets, fire, 'arrows' and now hunger. The media meanwhile continues to let us down.

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on Raila and mass action
written by Winnie , February 02, 2008

When we woke up early in the morning that fateful day of election 2007, we never had in mind who would win the majority of votes. All of us had hopes that at least our preferred candidate would carry the day. Even before it was announced who the winner is, there were chaos in Nyanza. On live broadcast, the ODM side had alleged rigging when it was announced the results for Nithi and Juja yet according to the results announced, the percentage turnout was not suspicious. In fact both constituencies voted on average of 75%, way below very many constituencies in Luo Nyanza. Just because they sensed defeat in this, they shouldn't have scared Kibaki by causing mayhem calling for mass action attended by drunken slum youths who largely voted for Raila. In fact this mass action was a strategy by American strategist Dick Morris who advised Raila that if he gathers people at Uhuru Park, they could make a one-million-man-match to State House to remove Kibaki by force. What a dangerous idea! Raila should instead seek legal redress in case he fills cheated.

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Kibaki won
written by Giddie , February 02, 2008

I am disturbed why Raila think he is the one who won. In football match, the referee announces the winner but I have never heard of a player claiming that title. I think Raila should give us a break to allow for nurturing of our economy. Imagine Kibaki won several global award for sound economic policies. United Nations Puplic Service Award is just but the list of these. We had even began to become proud again to be Kenyans. We will never be ruled by Raila and the rude boys that is Anyang Nyong'o, Ruto William, old man Ntimama, and legendary fake tales teller Henry Kosgey, Musa Sirma and those who promote the elimination of Kikuyus. Kikuyus are Kenyans like them who freed us from the yoke of colonisation.

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re: Kibaki won
written by Wuod Aketch , February 02, 2008

Imagine Kibaki won several global award for sound economic policies. United Nations Puplic Service Award is just but the list of these.

We now know what to make of those awards i.e their values!!

We had even began to become proud again to be Kenyans.

I was proud to be Kenyan the moment I left my mother's womb and that was before Kibaki started driving this country to down into the sewage.

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NEWSPAPERS
written by PHIL , February 02, 2008

A paper like the standard cannot escape the blame.Their reporting was so astonishingly naive based on the shaky fabric of our society.What surprises me of the kenyan media,is a tendency to recklessly copy the western media blindly without giving attention to the fact that we are a young evolving democracy that is too fragile due to ethnic diversity.
They are very short sighted because,they thought of making money through sensational news forgetting that those same news could bring down their profits,I wonder if their rate of distribution is the same as a result of the skirmishes going on.

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