- Title: KENYA: Opposition leaders 'steal the show' at food distribution centre in Kibera
- Date: 4th January 2008
- Summary: PEOPLE FOLLOWING ODM LEADERS ODM LEADERS PRAYING CROWD POLICE TRUCK PASSING/ PEOPLE HECKLING MAN WAVING POSTER OF OPPOSITION LEADER RAILA ODINGA IN THE AIR
- Embargoed: 19th January 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVAEYR5UPNJ874JV67K3DUSO0H6L
- Story Text: Opposition leaders arrive to a roaring reception of opposition supporters waiting for food distribution in a Nairobi slum.
Opposition leaders arrived at a food distribution center at a Nairobi slum causing excitement from a crowd that had gathered to receive aid from the Red Cross.
Kibera, one of the biggest slums in Nairobi, has been the scene of ethnic violence and stand-offs between opposition leader Raila Odinga's supporters and police, since the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki in disputed polls.
Hundreds of people have had their homes and businesses destroyed during the unrest, while others have had to flee their homes. Humanitarian agency, the Kenya Red Cross started food distribution in the area drawing a crowd of people from the vast slum.
Opposition leaders Joseph Nyaga and Odinga's running mate Musalia Mudavadi caused a surge in the crowd as people ran to meet them as they got out of their connvoy, some hoping it was Odinga himself.
"We want our president, our right, Raila," said one woman.
Kibera is part of Odinga's Langata constituency where he won majority support to win back his parliamentary seat by almost double the votes of his opponent.
Odinga supporters were enraged by President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election from a December 27 vote in Kenya, East Africa's biggest economy.
A week of ethnic violence and riots since the vote has shocked the world and threatened to shatter Kenya's reputation as one of Africa's most promising democracies. Some between police and protesters, others pitting Luo tribe backers of Odinga against Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group.
Earlier, the ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) held a press briefing condemning the days of violence that have rocked the country.
"The ODM takes very seriously the suffering that has ensued, perpetrated by the state against our people who have been protesting the rigged elections," said ODM Secretary General Anyan'g Nyong'o.
"The suffering will only really be put to an end if Mwai Kibaki recognises and accepts the tragedy in which his illegal enthronement as the president of this country by the electoral commission has done to the people of this country," Nyong'o added.
The opposition leaders who arrived at the feeding centre before the distribution kicked off led a prayer meeting amid cheers from the crowd shouting praise for Odinga and waving posters.
The Red Cross workers had to leave before the distribition was carried out due to insecurity in the slum after dark. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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