Violence flares again in Kenya

Machete-wielding youths clashed with police firing guns and tear gas in Nairobi today on the second day of anti-government protests.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called for three days of demonstrations that began yesterday over the disputed election of President Mwai Kibaki but the turnout has been low.

“Our rallies will continue until the government sits down with us and seeks a solution,” an opposition spokesman said. “Calling off rallies would be admitting defeat to those who first stole the presidential election and are now killing innocent protesters on sight.”

A government spokesman repeated President Kibaki’s position that the opposition should take its grievances to court and said the administration “is very open to dialogue".

Riots and ethnic killings in the wake of the disputed vote have marred Kenya’s image as a stable oasis in a war-ravaged region and damaged its tourist-dependent economy. It has also exacerbated long-simmering ethnic tensions and conflicts over land.

Violence yesterday appeared to have been worst in the town of Kisumu, and opposition officials said police shot dead protesters there.

The government has banned the protests, but the opposition and Kenyan human rights groups say it has no authority to do so.

This week, 13 nations, including the US and Britain, increased pressure on rival politicians to find a solution, threatening to cut aid to the government “if the commitment of the government of Kenya to good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights weakens”.

In Britain, the Federation of Tour Operators extended a ban on charter flights to Monday.

A few dozen miles outside the western town of Eldoret, 12 empty trucks and buses blocked a main road. The drivers, milling nearby, said they had been stopped overnight by around 150 young men armed with machetes who robbed them, flattened their tires and stole fuel. One bus was filled with aid supplies from the UN World Food Program.

Yesterday the United Nations launched an appeal for nearly €28m to help half a million Kenyans affected by the violence.

UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said the money was needed to provide food, shelter, health care and other services for the next six months.