Mediation efforts overshadowed by fresh Kenya violence
Tuesday, 29 Jan 2008 21:01
Violence in Kenya after disputed elections has killed over 800 people
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The opening of reconciliation talks between Kenya's political leaders has been overshadowed by a fresh outbreak of bloodshed.
As former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan began mediation efforts with president Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, up to 25 people died across the country in tribal violence.
In the Rift Valley town of Naivasha, helicopter gunships deployed teargas and fired rubber bullets into a crowd of machete-armed men from Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe after members of the Luo tribe were forced to hide in a police station.
Clashes broke out earlier today in the Nairobi slum of Kibera, while the capital also witnessed the death of an MP, the first time a major political figure has been killed since last month's bitterly-disputed presidential elections.
Mugabe Ware, a member of Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was shot outside his home in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
"We are treating it as a murder but we are not ruling out anything, including political motives," Kenya police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said.
"We are urging everyone to remain calm."
Mr Ware won a seat in the December 27th legislative election, which was held at the same time as the presidential polls.
Speaking as direct talks between Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki began in Nairobi, Mr Annan said: "There is only one Kenya. We all have multiple identities but I hope you see yourselves as Kenyans first."
Mr Odinga spoke next, claiming: "Unless we here resolve to act quickly to save our nation, we will have no nation to save."
The country's president, Mr Kibaki, added: "I urge all our leaders to go to their regions and urge [citizens] to pursue peace."