Death-Toll in Kenya Surpasses 1,000; US Peace Corps Out.

[tekisui]

As talks to end the disputed political crisis resumed the Kenyan red cross head Abbas Gullet told a news conference in Nairobi that the death toll had surpassed 1,000 with more than 350,000 displaced.

The violence that kicked off after the disagreement between Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki has escalated into the re-opening of decades old tribal divisions with Mwai's tribe, the Kikuyu being targeted for dominating politics and the economy.

The peace talks were faced with yet another blow when the South African businessman Cyril Ramaphosa who was supposed to join the mediation team was rejected by the Kenyan government under the pretext that he has business dealings with ODM's leader Raila Odinga.

link: http://ugandaonline.net/death_toll_in_kenya_surpasses_1_000


The U.S. Peace Corps said Tuesday it was pulling its remaining volunteers from Kenya following weeks of violence over a disputed election.

While no Peace Corps volunteers have been targeted in the fighting, the Washington-based group has decided to temporarily suspend its operations, said spokeswoman Amanda Beck. She said the remaining 58 volunteers were being pulled out. Another 86 volunteers were sent home in January after the violence first erupted.

"There comes a point when the volunteers are just distracted from doing their jobs," Beck said. "Our hope is that we can return very soon."

Protests since the Dec. 27 election have degenerated into ethnic clashes, with much of the anger aimed at President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe, long resented for dominating politics and the economy. At least 1,000 people have died and 300,000 have been chased to refugee camps. Ugandan authorities said 12,000 Kenyan refugees had crossed the border since the crisis began.

more at link: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hu1q9MI4JTHR_27gg8FtQ6zvvFSwD8UKBQMG0

[Taverner]

1. Sigh...when is this shit going to stop

Good luck and god speed my Peace Corps brethren, and host country nationals....

[gateley]

2. There has been so much unrest and violence in Africa for quite some time -

what started it all? (Pardon my ignorance and naivete.)

[loser_user]

3. Three things

The fallout from colonialism in which opposing tribes were placed under a single entity, famine, and disease.

[gateley]

4. Yep, that would do it. Thank you so much for your response. Those poor people! nt

[tekisui]

5. Africa has a long, troubled history.

This latest spiral of violence in Kenya started with a stolen election. Kenya was one of the most stable, strongest democracies in Africa until Pres. Kibaki claimed victory in a stolen election. The results were close, and allegations of rigging were widespread. Kibaki quickly and quietly held a private ceremony, swearing himself in.

The Opposition formed protests, led by the rightful President-elect(according to him and his supporters)Raila Odinga. The government responded with a shoot-to-kill policy, and it has deteriorated into near Civil War and claims of ethnic cleansing.

[gateley]

6. Thank you. I'm not being facetious when I say that this sounds like our country

without the shoot-to-kill part. Yet.

I am so sorry for those people. :(