Deaths, Violence and Chaos Continue in Kenya

An estimated 20 people died this past week during the 3 days of protests around Kenya. While those protests are now over, the conflict continues almost unabated. In the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Several homes were burning.

An Associated Press reporter, “saw the body of a Luo man who had been beaten to death after riding his bicycle through a group of Kikuyus. Another staggered past with blood streaming from the stump of his arm, which had been cut off with a machete. The arm was taken by a group of youths and placed on top of a pile of stones barricading an alleyway.”

Several reports have been posted on Ushahidi.com that give incredible insight to this national tragedy. This post was particularly compelling. Many innocent people, including children have perished since the beginning of the violence

Ushadidi: “Yesterday a 13 year old boy, Salim Ahmed was laid to rest next to his uncle´s house in Manyatta Slum Estate of Kisumu. He was shot dead in the post election violence that has engulfed Kisumu. Ahmed was playing outside the house. Sheikh Juma who conducted the service, called on all Muslims in Kisumu to be ready to battle Kibaki´s government. The burial was attended by hundreds of Kisumu Residents who wailed and lit up bonfires.”

There was one sign of hope that perhaps a resolution to the conflict could finally arrive. President Kibaki met a high level European Union delegation and said he is willing to meet with opposition leader, Mr Raila Odinga soon. The delegation also announced that it would await the outcome of dialogue between President Kibaki and Odinga before taking any action. There have been several attempts in the past to get both sides to meet in person, although such a meeting has yet to take place.