Town calms but deep-rooted tensions persist

NAIVASHA town is recovering from Kenya’s recent post-election violence which saw neighbour turn against neighbour.

Its picturesque surroundings overnight turned into a bloodbath as families were burned out of their homes and killed by machete-wielding mobs.

Ethnic conflict was the key reason behind the clashes, but tensions were already brewing. The town’s surge in numbers has seen unplanned settlements shoot up around the lake because of the booming flower trade. But many migrating workers have failed to get work, which has resulted in increased crime levels.