Clashes in Kenya's Rift Valley kill at least 19 people

WONG:
Ethnic clashes killed at least 19 people in Kenya's Rift Valley on Sunday (January 27), as violence continues in response to the recent presidential elections there.

STORY:
The Naivasha District Commissioner told reporters that eight people were burnt and 11 others hacked to death.

The violence there has continued in response to the disputed presidential elections last December. Opposition supporters say President Kibaki rigged the elections while Kibaki says he is the rightful president of Kenya.

Two truckloads of soldiers were deployed as sporadic gunfire rang out and smoke poured from torched homes and vehicles. Barricades blocked Kenya's main western highway outside the town and police turned back cars heading towards the area.

Shooting continued late into the day. Kenya's Red Cross said one house where people had sought refuge was torched but said a body count would only be completed in daylight on Monday.

Several shops including a nearby Internet cafe were looted, smashed, and burnt, and computers littered the street outside. These towns used to be quiet tourist attractions.

The growing unrest has forced a quarter of a million people from their homes, and damaged the nation's economy and image of stability.

Many Kenyans say the leaders on both sides do not appear willing to compromise. And police said that 31 people had been killed in fights with machetes, spears, and bows and arrows. Local media said the three-day death toll there could be over 50.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Kenya
• Rift
• Valley
• kill
• Kibaki
• ntdtv
• asia
• brief
• news
• clash