- Title: KENYA: Kenya's capital calm but tense in wait for delayed poll results
- Date: 30th December 2007
- Summary: (W2) NAIROBI, KENYA (DECEMBER 30, 2007) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF KIBERA (SOUNDBITE) (Swahili) GRACE WANGUI, KIBERA RESIDENT, SAYING: "In Kibera we need security. The most populous tribes here are the Kikuyu and the Luo so mostly when they bring security here, it is composed of those same tribes. They should stop sending the two tribes for security because some of them continu
- Embargoed: 14th January 2008 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Kenya
- Country: Kenya
- Topics: Domestic Politics
- Reuters ID: LVACYVWG1HRGJW7JZAN7N2DAVEAR
- Story Text: Calm returns to Kenya's capital as people wait for the the results of a delayed vote count that has been mired in widespread violence and allegations of rigging.
As Kenyan election officials convened on Sunday (December 30) to give final results of a presidential vote, many fear that the unrest that simmered after a chaotic count will continue after widespread ethnic violence and allegations of rigging.
Several people were killed across the east African nation on Saturday in clashes denting Kenya's reputation as an oasis of stability in a volatile region.
Most of the trouble was between Luo supporters of opposition challenger Raila Odinga and members of President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, who have a long history of rivalry in Kenya's four decades of independence.
In Nairobi's vast Kibera slum, tensions were high and shops remained closed as many people stayed indoors despite calm in most areas.
"In Kibera we need security. The most populous tribes here are the Kikuyu and the Luo so mostly when they bring security here, it is composed of those same tribes. They should stop sending the two tribes for security because some of them continue to push the war. For example if one of the police is a Luo and I am Kikuyu he doesn't care about me he doesn't think I am human," said Grace Wangui, a resident of Kibera.
"Security in Langata should be tight because I think even when the election results are released we will still have trouble, fighting will still continue," said Lewis Mumo, another Kibera resident.
Latest results released on Saturday showed President Mwai Kibaki, 76, closing in on the lead, infuriating supporters of opposition challenger Raila Odinga, who led in earlier tallies and most pre-election opinion polls.
Speculation among foreign diplomats and Kenyan media was rife Kibaki might opt to be sworn in as early as Sunday afternoon, if he wins -- but the State House denied that.
Worries about the vote counting have cast a shadow over Thursday's elections that were initially praised by foreign observers and billed by some as a model for the continent. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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