KENYA / UK: Mob sets fire to church in Kenya killing 30; British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls for an end to the violence

Record ID: 361009

  • Title: KENYA / UK: Mob sets fire to church in Kenya killing 30; British Prime Minister Gordon Brown calls for an end to the violence
  • Date: 1st January 2008
  • Summary: (EU) NAIROBI, KENYA (JANUARY 1, 2008) (REUTERS) WIDE OF PRESSER (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA POLICE SPOKESMAN, ERIC KIRAITHE SAYING: "A church about 4 kilometers on the Eldoret - Burnt Forest -Nakuru road was burnt at about 1400 hours this afternoon. The Provincial Police officer and the Provincial Commissioner have all left to the scene. There are conflicting reports about casualties, but the police moved to the scene and evacuated everybody however we have not been able to confirm reports concerning the casualties because as you know, as you have been informed there are similarly organised attacks within Eldoret and police are struggling to contain the situation as it is." WIDE OF PRESSER (SOUNDBITE) (English) KENYA POLICE SPOKESMAN, ERIC KIRAITHE SAYING: "The traditions of this country, the church is a sacred place, it is the first time - the second time maybe when we have had any group attack a church."
  • Embargoed: 16th January 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVADOL0B10FG6R6I2M7PHBFW8IAK
  • Story Text: Tribal clashes have rocked Kenya since President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election on Sunday. At least 180 people have died nationwide and the death toll looked sure to rise.
    Witnesses said about 30 charred bodies, including women and children, were strewn about the smouldering wreckage of the Kenya Assemblies of God Pentecostal church near Eldoret town.
    Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said they could not yet give a definite death toll.

    "This is the first time in history that any group has attacked a church. We never expected the savagery to go so far," he told a news conference in the capital Nairobi.
    Reinforcements were being rushed to the area to arrest all troublemakers "regardless of their status in society," he said.

    "we have not been able to confirm reports concerning the casualties because as you know, as you have been informed there are similarly organised attacks within Eldoret and police are struggling to contain the situation as it is."
    Residents and a security source said about 200 people had been seeking refuge at the church. The victims were mostly Kikuyus from Kibaki's ethnic group who fled homes in the area in fear of their lives.
    British Prime Minister Gordon Brown urged Kenya's political leaders to talk, and said: "The violence must be brought to an end."

    "It is unacceptable that lives are being lost, people should now come together and talk, and I'll be talking to the various parties through the day," Brown added.
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