World | Other World Stories
Kenya unrest takes toll on residents
Fresh violence flares up as hundreds of armed men set fire to houses of supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
- Agencies
- Published: 09:50 January 7, 2008
- Image Credit: Reuters
- Internally displaced people sit by a fire at a transit-centre set for victims of clashes in Kericho.
Kachibora: Though violence around the country has eased over the last few days, Kenya is still reeling from unrest following protests over the recent election results.
On Sunday, hundreds of armed ethnic men set fire to houses of supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga in Geta Farm village, killing at least two people.
District police commissioner Iad Matata said the attackers were cattle raiders who tried unsuccessfully to steal the displaced villagers' animals.
"This has never happened here before," said Dan Mugambi, a teacher. “They want us to move away,'' he said.
Residents and a human rights worker said the assault was unprecedented and was aimed at harassing people.
"It seems calculated. They want to create fear and anxiety and rifts among communities that lived peacefully together for years," said Joyce Nyamweya, permanent secretary for public service.
Odinga's supporters are accusing President Mwai Kibaki of rigging the December 27 vote. A week of post election violence has left 250,000 people homeless and more than 300 dead.
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