The official death toll from the post-election violence in Kenya stands at 486, with an estimated 255,686 people displaced from their homes.
Women, children and the elderly continue to bear the brunt of the crisis, and there is an urgent need for food, medicine, water and shelter.
The Rift Valley province has been particularly badly affected by the recent outbreak of violence, and saw fresh protests yesterday in the wake of President Mwai Kibaki's announcement of a partial cabinet. Many people in the areas of Eldoret, Kericho, Kapenguria and Nakuru and Kitale have seen their houses, business premises and farms torched during the skirmishes, with affected families being forced to flee their homes under police and military escort.
In the West province fierce fighting between the police and youths has been reported. In the Coast province, homes and business have been burnt and tourists have fled. In the capital Nairobi, over 3000 people have taken refuge in Jamhuri Park. The slum areas of Kibera, Korogocho, Huruma and Mathare have also been badly affected.
ActionAid Response
ActionAid together with the Kenyan Red Cross and other humanitarian organisations, has been responding to prevent further suffering of those displaced. Our staff on the ground have initiated immediate assistance, including the distribution of food, shelter, blankets, clothes, sanitary towels and medicines.
In the coastal areas of Likoni and Kisauni ActionAid is currently distributing food and sanitary towels to approx. 700 families. In Jamhuri Park, Nairobi, we are providing food, water and sanitary towels to approximately 200-300 people. In conjunction with the Nairobi Women's Hospital, ActionAid is providing counselling services to women and girls who have been subject to acts of sexual violence during the crisis.
We are continuing to assess the situation across the country to establish the needs of those caught up in the violence. In addition to responding to the immediate needs of those affected, ActionAid has prioritised peace-building and advocacy work and continues to call for an end to all hostilities. In Nairobi we are collaborating with the National Alliance of Churches and the NGO umbrella body PeaceNet Kenya on peace-building initiatives at both local and national level with a view to facilitating dialogue and reconciliation between communities.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki congratulates Vice President and Minister for Home Affairs Stephen Kalonso Musyoka after he was sworn in at the State House in Nairobi, January 10, 2008. REUTERS/Presidential Press ...
