An unspeakable atrocity in Kenya

If the country - plagued by violence since President Mwai Kibaki "won" a disputed election - descends into Rwanda-like chaos and genocide, this will probably be the trigger:

At least 50 bodies have been found in a burnt church, The Associated Press has reported the Red Cross as saying, as tribal tensions simmered following the contested election of incumbent President Mwai Kibaki.

A local reporter told CNN he counted at least 15 charred bodies, including those of children, at the church and an adjacent field in Kiambaa, about 185 miles (300 km) northwest of Nairobi.

"There was a huge mob, they attacked the church," said a witness in comments reported by The Associated Press. The person, who asked to remain anonymous in case of reprisals, added: "We counted 15 to 20 bodies."

The deaths came as opposition supporters fought with police firing tear gas and live ammunition across the country.

The demonstrators are protesting the government's announcement Sunday that voters had re-elected Kibaki with 51.3 percent of the vote, compared with 48.7 percent for Raila Odinga, the opposition leader.

The victims found in Kiambaa were of the Kikuyu tribe, who comprise roughly 22 percent of the country's population and of which Kibaki is a member.

It is believed they had been seeking refuge from members of the Luo tribe, which makes up about 13 percent of population and of which Odinga is a member.

Kenya is not a rich country by any means, but by African standards, it's been quite prosperous and politically stable. That makes this madness all the more depressing.

Damian P.

Posted by damian at January 1, 2008 02:17 PM