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Kenya crisis death toll escalates to 612

At least 600 people have died in violence in Kenya following President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election, aid agencies said on Monday.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 09:45 January 14, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • Officials on Friday verified 575 deaths from violence in Kenya over the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive

Nairobi: Kenya's feuding parties prepared for fresh clashes on Monday as officials released a new death toll in the post-election crisis.

Rachel Arungah, chairwoman of the government's Humanitarian Services Committee, said the death toll now stood at 612.

Previous estimates had put the toll at around 500, while on Friday, emergency services officials verified the 575 deaths.

"It could go higher, particularly if there is more trouble," said Ken Maclean, country representative of Catholic Relief Service.

Most of the deaths have come from fighting between rival ethnic communities, clashes between police and protesters, plus looting and mob violence, witnesses say.

Former UN head Kofi Annan was due to fly to Kenya on Tuesday to try and start dialogue between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who have not met since the disputed vote.

On Monday, Odinga's party accused Uganda, which recognises Kibaki's win, of sending troops across the border to help Kenyan security forces.

"Ugandan troops have gone into villages and markets harassing people and causing mayhem. They have caused deaths," a statement from pro-Odinga legislators said. Kenyan police denied the claim.

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