Media round up on Kenya election crisis 4 January 2008
ODM leaders postponed their rally on 3 January as security forces prevented demonstrators from reaching Uhuru Park. Street battles took place in several parts of Nairobi:
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979914&cid=4
Violence continued across the country. Five people were reportedly shot and killed by
Violence continued across the country. Five people were reportedly shot and killed by the police in Nyanza Province. Protestors and the security forces engaged in running battles in Mombasa, and government offices and police houses were attacked in the southern Rift Valley:
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979883&cid=159
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979885&cid=159
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979882&cid=159
The Kenya Red Cross issued a preliminary appeal for approximately KSh 950m (around US$15m) to assist 500,000 people over the coming month. Of the 100,079 people reported as displaced, 68,620 are in Rift Valley, 29,346 in Western, 1,216 in Nairobi, 551 in Nyanza, and 346 in Coast.
http://www.kenyaredcross.org/highlights.php?newsid=62&subcat=1
Domestic criticism of the Electoral Commission of Kenya has continued. Three Anglican bishops called for the resignation of the ECK commissioners and a re-tallying of the presidential election results. They also urged the police to stop using live bullets:
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979909&cid=159
The Media Council of Kenya organised a common appeal by electronic and print media using the headline ‘Save our Beloved Country’:
http://www.eastandard.net/news/?id=1143979900&cid=159
An article on the BBC’s website analyses the state of Kenya’s ‘vibrant and critical media’. Relations between government and the media prior to the elections were already poor, and have deteriorated with the current ban on live broadcasts:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7171372.stm
President Kibaki made a public statement on 4 January, stating his willingness to enter into dialogue, but only once peace had been restored:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=113918
The government rejected the opposition’s call for a re-run of the presidential election within three months, stating that a fresh election would only happen if ordered by the constitutional court. This piece from Al Jazeera also reports that Kiss FM radio station banned politicians from the air on 4 January because they felt that comments from political leaders were increasing tensions rather than defusing them:
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/EBB7F894-474A-4833-85C0-92B74B51F36B.htm
International efforts to help broker a solution to the crisis have continued. Archbishop Desmond Tutu has now met with both Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, and according to the South African press is optimistic that a deal is possible:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=113920
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=113914
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=328965&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__africa/
Jendayi Frazer, US assistant Secretary of State for Africa, was due to arrive in Kenya on 4 January to assist with the negotiation process:
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=113919
Kenneth Kaunda’s special assistant reported that the former Zambian President is also expected to travel to Kenya as head of a delegation from the African Forum:
http://www.times.co.zm/news/viewnews.cgi?category=2&id=1199433617
Kenya’s Business Daily warned of long-term damage to Kenya’s economy and investment prospects if the crisis is not quickly resolved. The country’s growth forecasts and investment ratings are already being downgraded:
http://www.bdafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5119&Itemid=5813
The World Bank and other agencies also expressed their concern at the impact of the current crisis on Kenya’s economy. Business leaders estimate a loss of around KSh 2bn per day. KSh 40bn was wiped off the value of shares when trading re-opened on the stock exchange after the elections:
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:21602122~menuPK:34463~pagePK:34370~piPK:34424~theSitePK:4607,00.html
Michael Holman, in an article published on openDemocracy, argues that pressure from western countries will be meaningless unless accompanied by critical self-questioning on the part of Kenya’s foreign donors. ‘As Kenya’s tragedy unfolds, those in the wider world who claim to be seeking solutions must examine the decisions that have helped lead the country to this point’:
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/where_does_responsibility_for_kenyas_chaos_lie
Kenya’s neighbours continue to feel the impact of the situation. The government of Rwanda has introduced fuel rationing and restrictions on opening hours for filling stations. Half of Rwanda’s consumer goods come from Kenya:
http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php?issue=1399&article=3324
Opposition parties in Uganda have called on President Museveni to withdraw his message of congratulation to President Kibaki on the grounds that the result was disputed. They felt that such a statement would also increase the risks to Ugandans in Kenya:
http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/604963