Political violence erupts in Kenya

Social justice news
January 4 , 2008

Political violence erupts in Kenya
Kenya's disputed election result has triggered a series of politically-motivated killings of civilians by groups of armed youths across the country. Amnesty International has strongly condemned the killings and is particularly concerned at the developing ethnic-related nature of the violence.

The organization has called on the Kenyan government and political party leaders to take all possible measures to ensure an immediate halt to the violence. They must commit themselves publicly to the respect and protection of the human rights of all citizens.

"Political leaders must not explicitly or implicitly condone violence against supposed supporters of their rivals," said Erwin van der Borght, Director of Amnesty International’s Africa Programme.

Caritas International reports that the political crisis in Kenya has driven over 100,000 people from their homes in search of security. A number of towns are totally cut off, as many major roads are barricaded by various communities who are denying access to road users. There is also concern at continuing reports of killings by police. One individual was reported to have been shot dead on Thursday during skirmishes between police and demonstrators in Mombasa.

Many of the displaced people are in cathedrals and churches seeking safety, and Caritas is providing them with help. Many others are locked up in their homes with dwindling supplies of food and water.

The disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki has unleashed widespread violence across Kenya.

The Catholic Church in Kenya has called for calm between the supporters of Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga and dialogue between the two leaders. The Kenyan Bishops have also urged for the setting up of an electoral commission to review the election results.

Meanwhile, the Church is urging all people to remain calm and restrain from any acts of violence.

President Mwai Kibaki's re-election is being contested by his rival, Raila Odinga, who has publicly refused to accept defeat. Since Kenyans went to the polls on December 27 and Mwai Kibaki was declared as the winner, massive violence, leading to killings and destruction of properties have taken place in the Lake side city of Kisumu, Eldoret and Nairobi. Over 300 people are reported to have been killed as a result of the violence. This includes over 30 people -- mostly women and children fleeing from armed youths -- who were deliberately burned to death after they sought refuge in a church in Eldoret town in the Rift Valley on 1 January.

Medical staff at the Women’s Hospital in Nairobi have also reported a sharp increase in rape figures of women and girls, committed by gangs and individuals as part of the post-election violence.

In some areas with a history of ethnic conflict, recent attacks by anti-government mobs appear to have targeted members of President Kibaki’s Kikuyu ethnic group, in apparent retaliation for suspected election rigging.

Informal roadblocks have been set up across the country by violent youth gangs, some armed with machetes, sticks and stones.

Some displaced people have been evacuated by the Kenyan government under military escort or by plane to safer locations, including from Eldoret to Nairobi and other parts of Kenya. Thousands are reported to be fleeing to neighbouring countries, particularly Uganda.

"The Kenyan government must arrange rapid humanitarian assistance to the internally displaced and to provide all necessary security for humanitarian relief workers," said van der Borght.

In a press statement, signed by all the bishops and read to the press by the chairman of the Kenya Episcopal Conference, Cardinal John Njue, the bishops urged Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga to reach out to one another through dialogue in order to seek a solution to the crisis.

"This country needs peace that is based on justice and true brotherhood," the bishops stressed in their four-page statement, entitled, My Peace I Give You.

The bishops made a passionate appeal to all Kenyans, men and women old and youth, from all the political parties, and from all walks of life, to refrain from violence and from the senseless killing of our brothers and sisters.

"We have witnessed with deep sorrow and concern the outbreak of violence and the breakdown of law and order that has led to numerous deaths, injuries and destruction of property, creating fear and helplessness that has led many to flee from their homes," the bishops said.

Pointing out that several allegations of electoral malpractices have been brought forward, the bishops urged that everything possible should be done in order to investigate and establish the truth.

"We make an appeal to all responsible to seek ways like establishing a commission to audit and specifically review the tallying of parliamentary and presidential polls", the bishops said. They also have offered to act as mediators.

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