News Roundup 17 January
Police teargas protesters in Nairobi
Source: Reuters NAIROBI, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Riot police fired teargas at hundreds of protesters blocking a road near Nairobi’s Mathare slum as a second day of demonstrations against President Mwai Kibaki’s disputed ...
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17680685.htm
UN Appeals for $42 Million to Help 500,000 Crisis-Affected Citizens
In the aftermath of the violence that tore through Kenya following last month’s elections, the United Nations has asked for $42 million to provide some 500,000 people with food, water, shelter and other priority needs over the next six months.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801170015.html
Our country at a crossroad
Allow me to to give mars kenya a five for the good work you are doing keep up!!!! This is a cry to my brothers and sisters in kenya,let’s change how we gorvern ourselves and embrace this passage of turmoil that we are going through i might be wrong in saying this but this is what i believe, the time for accountable leadership is ripe the world over and kenya is no exception so democracy must prevail at all costs we will die,we will lose our pricely possessions,we will lose our jobs,but change must come so until the minority know that they can’t rule the majority and by this i mean the rich and the poor,cause i believe the turmoil is between a few 10% just want to have their way and protect their interest’s and continue to loot us, for it is not about tribes.We are a peace loving nation and will continue to be so if we reject what we are being subjected to at the moment by the minority if you know what i mean.
Let’s stand up peacefully and keep vigil for our nation is at stake.
“LONG LIVE KENYA”
http://www.marsgroupkenya.org/user/?p=82
Another Death in Latest Protests
A man was shot dead and two others injured as police battled demonstrators during Day One of marches called by ODM to protest against the outcome of the December presidential election.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801170003.html
Democracy Won - Speaker
ODM Wednesday described the election of Mr Kenneth Marende as House Speaker as a turning point in Kenya’s history.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161139.html
UN Continues Providing Assistance in Wake of Post-Election Violence
As the death toll from deadly wave of post-election violence in Kenya continues to climb, the United Nations is continuing its relief efforts ahead of three days of nationwide rallies next week called for by the opposition.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160023.html
Unrest Threatens Vibrant Microfinance Sector
The recent outbreak of political violence has left a dark cloud hanging over the vibrant microfinance sector, industry players said.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161022.html
Kenya faces second day of protests
Opposition supporters shot dead as unrest over Mwai Kibaki’s re-election continues.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CF5E17A2-897C-4EEA-81EB-4AD5CF4D7F0D.htm
Another Death in Latest Protests
A man was shot dead and two others injured as police battled demonstrators during Day One of marches called by ODM to protest against the outcome of the December presidential election.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801170003.html
Kenya faces second day of opposition protests
Source: Reuters (adds details, opposition, quotes) By C. Bryson Hull NAIROBI, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Kenyans faced a second day of protests against President Mwai Kibaki’s disputed re-election on Thursday
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L17312434.htm
Kenyan protest enters second day
Supporters of Kenya’s opposition say they will defy a ban on public rallies and hold a second day of protests.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7193230.stm
News: Shot in the back while running away.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=DtFhwgyeVyI
source: http://www.publiceyesite.org/blog/?p=1602
Kenya unrest grows
One dead in Odinga stronghold · Opposition says protests go on
http://www.guardian.co.uk/kenya/story/0,,2241963,00.html
News: Genital Mutilation a Weapon in Kenya
By ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY and JOHN HEILPRIN
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — For two terrifying hours, the woman crouched inside her shop, watching as a gang attacked five men in the street, pulled down their trousers and sliced their genitals with rusty machetes. “The men were screaming and saying, ‘Please don’t kill me, don’t cut me,’” the 35-year-old vendor [...]
http://www.publiceyesite.org/blog/?p=1601
Police evacuate city centre ahead of march
[MOBILE VIDEO] Two people were shot dead in the lakeside city of Kisumu as countrywide rallies by opposition ODM party broke out in several cities and towns.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AfricaNewsUpdate/~3/217952935/10168
Kenyan: Opposition face-off over Kibaki
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki came face to face with his opponents when parliament convened in Nairobi on Tuesday to elect a speaker and his deputy, which he lost to the opposition before a stand-off over the oath of allegiance ensued.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AfricaNewsUpdate/~3/217952948/10129
Parliament sworn in
Yesterday’s re-opening of the tenth parliament in Kenya marked the first victory for Mwai Kibaki’s government contrary to the expectations of many who had it in mind that it was to have a tough time managing the affairs of the opposition-dominated house.
http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/AfricaNewsUpdate/~3/217952947/10130
Kenya : Live updates on protest
Given the speed with which events are succeeding each other about the announced protest march in many Kenyan cities, Africanews.com has opted to keep you updated by posting short reports from our Kenya reporters who are covering the event nationwide.
http://www.africanews.com
Town no-go zone as mass action fails
Kericho Town was a no-go zone Wednesday with many shops closed after heavy security was deployed.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114760
GSU sent to troubled Gusii borders
General Service Unit officers were Wednesday deployed to the clash-torn Borabu-Sotik-Bomet districts boundary.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114761
Members hug and laugh as Kenyans fight on the streets
Kenyans watching the televised proceedings of the first business of the 10th Parliament on Tuesday and the early hours of Wednesday must have been struck by the contrast.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114762
New Speaker’s challenge over competing political interests
New Speaker Kenneth Marende has his work cut out even as he settles in the Chair.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114763
Row in parties as Safina moves to court
Differences over picking of nominated MPs heightened Wednesday even as Safina moved to court seeking to reverse a decision by Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) denying it a slot in the 10th Parliament.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114767
Kibaki prorogues Parliament
President Kibaki has prorogued Parliament with effect from Wednesday.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114780
Rallies flop in Central and Eastern
Residents in Central and Eastern provinces ignored protest rallies called by ODM.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114781
Man shot dead as party mass action starts
A man was shot dead and two others injured as police battled demonstrators during Day One of marches called by ODM to protest against the outcome of the December presidential
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114782
We will not be cowed, vows Raila
ODM will push on with the quest for peaceful countrywide demonstrations until their demands are met, according to party leader Raila Odinga.
http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=2&newsid=114783
Analysts Predict More Battles in Parliament
The election of Kenneth Marende of Orange Democratic Movement as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament has handed the opposition its biggest instrument in its fight against the government, analysts said.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161053.html
New Speaker Promises Live Coverage of House
Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Kenneth Marende, kicked off his term with a pledge to institute radical reforms.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161067.html
Activists Hospitalised After Injuries in Demo
Two civil society protesters were beaten by police and are undergoing treatment in a Mombasa hospital.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161062.html
Cotu Warns of a Third Force
The Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) has sought appointment with top two political leaders to discuss current crisis. They warned that a third force might emerge.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161061.html
Government Unmoved By Loss to the Opposition
The Government brushed aside loss to the opposition during the election of National Assembly Speaker.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161060.html
A Diplomatic Cocktail of Coercive Options
This has been a very difficult period for the international donor community regarding what to do with the Kenyan political situation.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161039.html
Country Faces Economic Disruptions in Protests
Kenya was last night left facing the prospects of yet another round of economic disruption after most businesses closed early as protesters engaged police in running battles in major towns.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161038.html
Police Break Up Protests With Teargas
Police have broken demonstrations in Mombasa, Kisumu and Migori as various other towns across the country remained tense following protest rallies called by the Orange Democratic Movement.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160318.html
Dark Cloud Reveals Its Silver Lining
Kenyan blogger Daudi Were reflects on events in Parliament in Nairobi on Tuesday.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160370.html
Polls Turned Neighbours Into Enemies
Amid the usual piles of fetid rubbish on the streets of Kibera, Kenya’s largest slum, there was clear evidence of the recent political violence in the blackened buildings and boarded-up shops. A row of kiosks was reduced to a pile of rubble and cinders; several larger buildings were now mere charred shells.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160552.html
Uganda: More Refugees Flee From Neighbouring Kenya
Kenyans fearing more political violence are continuing to seek refuge in neighbouring Uganda, according to aid workers.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160683.html
Four Killed As Police Clash With ODM Protesters
Members of the ODM Pentagon were tear-gassed in central Nairobi, riot police killed four people including a 10-year-old boy in Kisumu, and several others were seriously injured as the three-day countrywide mass protests began on Wednesday.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161012.html
Analysts Predict More Battles in Parliament
The election of Kenneth Marende of Orange Democratic Movement as the Speaker of the Tenth Parliament has handed the opposition its biggest instrument in its fight against the government, analysts said.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161053.html
EU Warns Over Donor Support
The European Union (EU) has threatened to reduce aid to Kenya if a solution is not found over the disputed presidential elections.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801151013.html
Opposition Vows to Go On With Protests
ODM leader Raila Odinga has today said that they will continue peaceful demonstrations across the country until they get “justice” over the disputed presidential election.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160662.html
Pledges high but millions more needed in humanitarian aid
NAIROBI Wednesday, January 16, 2008 (IRIN) - Close to US$30 million has already been pledged by international donors for humanitarian operations to assist people affected by Kenya’s post-election crisis, but millions more are needed, according to UN and non-governmental aid agencies.
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?ReportId=76282
Donors Link Future Support to Dialogue
Fourteen development partners have warned that future funding will depend on the achievement of “a political situation that reflects the will of the people”.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161018.html
Thousands of Protestors Dispersed in Eldoret
Thousands of ODM supporters defied General Service Unit police officers and held a peaceful and successful demonstration in Eldoret town.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161014.html
EU, U.S. Hope for Resumption of Negotiations
The European Union and the US are hoping for a quick resumption of talks between the Government and ODM.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801161013.html
UN Dispatches More Aid As Crisis Continues
United Nations agencies are bolstering their assistance to Kenyans in the aftermath of the deadly wave of violence which erupted after last month’s disputed elections, claiming more than 500 lives and displacing hundreds of thousands.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200801160967.html
Kenyan police shoot dead protesters
Two demonstrators in opposition stronghold of Kisumu killed amid election protests.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/654F01F3-E0C9-4DF9-A365-BD1B20F94ABF.htm
Odinga denies ‘ethnic cleansing’
Kenya’s opposition leader denies government charges that his supporters planned a campaign of ethnic cleansing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7192958.stm
Violent clashes at Kenya protests
Kenyan police fire tear gas and bullets at opposition activists defying a ban on election protests.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7190777.stm
Statement on initiatives to overcome violence in Kenya (Posted 1/16/2008)
The General secretary of the World Council of Churches challenges churches to be on the front line in ensuring respect for human life and seeking peace and reconciliation. “This is a time when the ministry of healing and reconciliation of the churches is deeply needed in the country.” During the last weeks churches have been strongly involved in resolving the situation and calling for peace.
http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16984
Kibaki spoils reconciliation bid (Posted 1/16/2008)
It was very discouraging to see controversially re-elected president, Mwai Kibaki, address the nation. It was hoped he would address the humanitarian crisis in the wake of post-election violence and hold out an olive branch to his rival Raila Odinga. Instead he announced half his cabinet for the next five years in a manner reminiscent of his hastily taking the oaths of office before the Electoral Commission of Kenya had formally certified the election results.
http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16985
Appeal for peace and tolerance (Posted 1/16/2008)
The Council of Presidents of the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda issued a statement on the post-election crisis in Kenya signed by the Chairperson, the President of the Seventh Day Adventist, Uganda Union; the Archbishop of the Province of Church of Uganda; the Archbishop of Kampala Archdiocese; the Mufti of Uganda; the Sheikh and the Archbishop of the Uganda Orthodox Church. This is a portent of hope towards solving the crisis in Kenya.
http://www.africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=16981
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