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ITN
Claims of 'genocide' in Kenya
Claims of 'genocide' in Kenya
Kenya's President has invited the new parliament to meet in an apparent attempt to calm political unrest amid genocide accusations.The presidential press service said in a statement that the meeting would take place at State House in Nairobi, but it was not immediately clear how many of the opposition dominated parliament would attend.Meanwhile, Britain and the US have issued a joint statement calling for an end to violence.Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pledged the support of "diplomatic and political efforts" as efforts continue to secure a peaceful resolution in the east African country.Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) saw 20 ministers lose their parliamentary seats. It won just over a third as many seats as Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which came in with nearly 100.At least 300 people have been killed - including 30 Kikuyus, who were mainly women and children, that burnt to death when a church was torched by a mob on Tuesday - after President Kibaki was sworn in on Sunday in what opponents said was a rigged election.Earlier, Mr Kibaki's government accused rival Mr Odinga's party of unleashing "genocide" in Kenya.A statement read by Lands Minister Kivutha Kibwana on behalf of his colleagues said: "It is becoming clear that these well-organised acts of genocide and ethnic-cleansing were well-planned, financed and rehearsed by ODM leaders prior to the general elections."ODM had no immediate reaction to the accusation. Mr Odinga's supporters, drawn mainly from his Luo tribe, have blamed the violence on Kibaki for "stealing" the December 27 presidential vote.Many clashes have pitted the Luo against Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe.The use of the word genocide will horrify Kenyans, used to being viewed by the world as a stable democracy, investment and tourist destination and oasis of peace in an otherwise volatile region scarred by like the 1994 Rwanda genocide.As Britons holidaying in Kenya were warned to stay indoors, a joint British-US statement was released which said: "We have closely followed the events in Kenya over the last 48 hours."We congratulate the Kenyan people on their commitment to democracy. However, there are independent reports of serious irregularities in the counting process."The immediate priority is to combine a sustained call from Kenya's political leaders for the cessation of violence by their followers with an intensive political and legal process that can build a united and peaceful future for Kenya."It continued: "In that context, we welcome the call by the African Union for the parties to end the violence; we call on all political leaders to engage in a spirit of compromise that puts the democratic interests of Kenya first; we applaud the commitment of the EU and Commonwealth as well as the AU to stay engaged at this important moment for democracy in Africa; and we pledge the diplomatic and political efforts of our two countries to support reconciliation and national unity at this vital time for Kenya and the region."African Union chairman John Kufuor is due in Kenya later to try and start what Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called a process of dialogue and reconciliation.Mr Brown has said he is "gravely concerned" about the situation which has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.He has appealed for international support to help promote reconciliation after talking to President Kibaki and Mr Odinga.In a statement about Mr Kufuor's visit, Mr Brown said: "This offers an opportunity to stop the violence and to help Kenyans unite. Presidents Kufuor and Kabbah have my unstinting support in this essential task."© Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved.
ITN | January 2, 2008
