75,000 Flee Homes as Violence and Talk of Civil War Escalates in Kenya

The normally peaceful nation of Kenya remains under siege today with the violence no end in sight

Gangs of young men armed with machetes are roaming the streets in Kenya as post-election violence threatens to engulf the country. Horrific attacks are being reported, including the torching of a church where people who had sought refuge were burned alive.

At least 148 people have been killed and about 75,000 have fled their homes since President Mwai Kibaki won a narrow victory, according to Kenyan government officials. The Associated Press reported that a higher number – about 275 — had died since Saturday.

An alarming report is coming from Kenyan Pundit, one of the most recognozied bloggers on Kenya:

“For now it is critical to get the word out about the situation in Eldoret and Burnt Forest. This is in the aftermath of the church burning. Reports of armed men going into the forest coming through from various sources. The conflict is more than just Kikuyu-Luo - has - widened into something that I don’t even know how to describe.” This would suggest that the conflict is widening from tribal fighting into a broader civil war.

There are also reports of forced circumcisions and other brutalities taking place in parts of Kenya.

The government continues its crackdown on communication. For those on Safaricom, a popular cell phone network, the government sent out the following text message: “The Ministry of Internal Security urges you to please desist from sending or forwarding any SMS that may cause public unrest. This may lead to your prosecution”

Sphere: Related Content