KENYA: Misna; Violent protests are erupting in many Kenyan cities as opposition supporters demonstrate against the elections result. According to the latest toll which was released by national television and is based on average estimates, over 140 people have already died in the clashes. According to MISNAs sources, violent riots are underway also in Kisumu, where authorities imposed a curfew this morning. Kitale, Nakuru, Eldoret, Likoni, Mikindani, in western Kenya, and the coastal city of Mombasa were also affected by the outburst. "The situation in Kisumu is worrying,” said father Joseph Otieno, a missionary for the Consolata order who is based in a suburb of the town inhabited by Luo population, to whom opposition leader Raila Odinga belongs. "People can only move around on foot or by bycicle because streets are blocked by groups of armed men who chase the Kikuyus, president Mwai Kibakis ethnic group. Eye witnesses spoke of about 40 corpses abandoned on the streets with visible gun-shot wounds to their heads. The situation is very tense and worsened by robberies and assaults to kiosks and small supermakets owned by Kikuyus,” the missionary added.
ETHNIC VIOLENCE ERUPTS AS OPPOSITION PROTESTS AGINST ELECTIONS RESULT
The "Kikuyu hunt” which targets a particularly powerful ethnic group – comprising about 22% of the population – is underway in many other areas -Kuresoi, Molo, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, Ahero, Migori, Kericho, Kitale, Lugari and Homabay - including Mombasa and some nearby towns. Here, according to MISNAs sources, hundreds of Kikuyus are seeking shelter in churches. "In Mombasa, groups of rioters have been burning hubcaps and marching on the main streets since yesterday,” said one of MISNAs local sources, adding that "violence has so far remained confined to suburbs and slums.” The same source also told MISNA that "many people” died in the spread of violence, although it was not possible to quantify their number. Yesterday, shortly after he was sworn-in for his new mandate, president Kibaki invited the population to remain calm and reconcile. The opposition, though, announced a mass demonstration starting today at 2 pm from Nairobis Huuru Park, in order to protest against the alleged frauds in the scrutiny and reject the election result. (TC) [CO]
