Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Kenya crisis: Support Kofi Annan
A presidential election tainted by vote-tampering - now Kenya’s future hangs in the balance, with over 600 killed and 250,000 made homeless. We need to act fast. The world can play a crucial role, by supporting Kofi Annan’s mediation efforts and refusing to recognize any government until it is legitimately established - so let’s send a wave of messages to our leaders asking for this. To make sure Kenya’s politicians hear us too, we’re taking out a full-page ad in the East African Standard, a respected newspaper.
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Raiders kill six more people in North Rift
Six people were killed in Nandi South District Tuesday and a shopping centre was razed in Trans Nzoia East as a new wave of violence hit the North Rift. Seventy houses were set on fire in Aldai constituency of Nandi South, uprooting more than 2,000 people. It brought to 80 the number of houses razed in two days of violence. The raiders also made away with 200 animals.In Trans Nzoia, 30 shops were burnt down at Salama Trading Centre a day after five people were shot dead in the area. The latest attack sparked an exodus of people estimated at 1,400 by yesterday afternoon. Residents interviewed insisted that the attackers were dressed in military uniform and were armed with AK-47 rifles.
Government MPs say clashes driven by ethnic cleansing
Government MPs Tuesday asked ODM leader Raila Odinga to distance himself from hardliners in the party who are not interested in a peaceful end to the political crisis. The MPs claimed Mr Odinga was under siege from forces beyond the disputed presidential elections results.
Approach talks with humility
As we get set for the mediation led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, it is imperative that both sides in the political divide call at least a verbal ceasefire. It must appear, to observers from outside, quite childish of Kenya leaders from both the Government and Opposition sides to be threatening each other with prosecution at the International Court of Justice, for the calamities that have befallen their respective supporters.
MoreMaathai says State has failed on security
The Government has failed to provide protection for its citizens and their property in the wake of post-election violence, Nobel laureate Prof Wangari Maathai said Tuesday. Speaking at her Green Belt Movement offices in Nairobi, Prof Maathai said it was unfortunate that many Kenyans had lost their lives and property in violence triggered by the disputed presidential election results.
Violence curtails Kenyan memorial
Skirmishes between police and youths have broken up a memorial service for opposition victims of the post-poll violence in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. Tear gas was fired into the crowds of mourners after supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement stoned police cars. Meanwhile, former UN chief Kofi Annan began a fresh attempt to end the chaos arising from the disputed election. ODM leader Raila Odinga later said he had called off mass protests in Nairobi planned for Thursday at his request. “We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in,” ODM MP William Ruto told KTN television afterwards. Before the meeting, Mr Annan said he would insist on a solution for the “sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa”. His main goal is to establish a dialogue between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga who says his election victory was stolen.
MoreAnnan urges Kibaki, Raila to embrace dialogue
Former UN Secretary General Mr Kofi Annan pleaded for good faith, and genuine dialogue in search of reconciliation and a lasting solution to Kenya’s political crisis. Annan, who arrived in Kenya on Tuesday night, appealed for co-operation during the talks and asked both the Government and ODM to maintain respect for the rule of law and human rights. Annan addressed the media at Serena Hotel, Nairobi, moments after arrival to spearhead the talks, warned of political disaster for the country that has been a beacon of peace and stability in Africa if the dialogue flops. The former UN boss said innocent people are the losers during crisis and promised to reach out to the warring parties to find a lasting solution.
Violence slows down high speed Internet project
Consumers of Internet services will have to wait much longer for faster and cheaper access that was to come through the National Fibre Optic Backbone. Industry insiders said construction of the terrestrial fibre optic cable that was commissioned last year is running behind schedule as a result of political skirmishes that followed the December 27 presidential election raising the prospect of delayed launch.