KENYA: Kenya opposition makes new protest threat, while police chased gangs in Kenya's Rift Valley

Record ID: 361327

  • Title: KENYA: Kenya opposition makes new protest threat, while police chased gangs in Kenya's Rift Valley
  • Date: 6th February 2008
  • Summary: (BN13) NAIROBI, KENYA (FEBRUARY 5, 2008) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING AT TABLE FOR NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) PETER ANYANG' NYONG'O, SECRETARY-GENERAL OF ORANGE DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT (ODM) OPPOSITION PARTY, SAYING: "Mwai Kibaki intends to call a meeting with the heads of state of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) countries in the region to
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2008 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVAF0L58C1V2XMZSX3UOL20CPQJL
  • Story Text: Kenya's opposition party the Orange Democratic Movement calls on Kenyans to protest a meeting of regional foreign ministers, chaired by the government, scheduled to meet in Nairobi. While police patrols brought some calm to the volatile town of Chebilat as they faced gangs armed with knives and bows and arrows.
    Kenya's opposition on Tuesday (February 5) threatened new street protests if a meeting of regional foreign ministers chaired by the government goes ahead this week while the two sides are locked in political negotiations.
    The opposition attacked plans to hold a meeting of foreign ministers from the seven-member east African regional bloc IGAD, chaired by Kenya. The foreign ministers are due in Kenya on Wednesday (February 6), with talks due the next day (February 7).

    "It must be noted that the very legitimacy of Kibaki's position as president is itself in question in the mediation process. It would be most inappropriate to try and legitimise Kibaki's position through the back door," said Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Peter Anyang' Nyong'o at a news conference in Nairobi.

    "In the event that this initiative goes on, we call on Kenyans, to come out in big numbers to demonstrate, peacefully in Nairobi, as a sign of total disagreement that such a meeting be held in Nairobi at this point in time," he added.
    What started as a dispute over the Dec. 27 re-election of President Mwai Kibaki has laid bare divisions over land, wealth and power, dating from colonial rule then stoked by Kenyan politicians.
    Former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, mediating talks, said the opposition threat should not have been made in light of the negotiations and a pledge by both sides to avoid provocative statements.

    "We have demanded that the parties avoid provocative statements outside negotiation, that they should not discuss sensitive issues on the table in their outside context. We're going to be vigilant on that. We have discussed the issue and the statement that was issued. I think there was a clear understanding that it should not have been done and there will be no mass protest," he said.
    Annan was speaking after receiving a report on recommendations from business leaders in the country, to help end a crisis that has hurt key sectors of the economy.
    Meanwhile, residents in the Rift Valley town of Chebilat sifted through charred belongings on Tuesday, after a number of homes were set on fire as part of the post-election violence that has swept across Kenya.
    The crisis was triggered by President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election on Dec. 27. Opposition leader Raila Odinga says he stole the vote.
    International observers said the count was so chaotic it was impossible to tell who won.
    In Chebilat, the Kisii, who are perceived to be close to Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe, say they are being chased off land they legally bought long ago.
    On Tuesday, gangs of youths armed with machetes and bows and arrows prepared to battle any opponents they may encounter.
    Police who arrived on the scene were able to disperse the crowd peacefully.
    Violence in Chebilat has killed at least two and over 20 people have ended up in hospital with arrow wounds.
    The United States says the clashes in the Rift Valley constitute ethnic cleansing. Violence there has forced many to salvage belongings and return to their ancestral homelands.
    The conflict, which has often pitted Kibaki's Kikuyu against other tribes supporting Odinga has killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 304,000 according to the Kenyan Red Cross.
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