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Naivasha killings trigger riots in western Kenya

Yesterday’s killings in Naivasha have triggered a fresh wave of riots in several towns in western Kenya today.

 

Riots have been reported in Kisumu, Kakamega, Kapsabet, Gilgil, Migori, Busia and Eldoret as residents react to reports that the Sunday clashes in Naivasha targeted their communities.

 

The chaos broke as Police Commissioner Hussein Ali announced they will soon be charging some 28 people with murder for their roles in the post-election violence. The police chief, however, did not name those to be charged.

 

In Naivasha, 14 more bodies were found today bringing the toll to at least 28 killed.

 

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Mr Gerishon Ikiara also reported that 13 long-haul trucks were set ablaze by mobs who had mounted roadblocks along various roads in Western Kenya.

 

In Kakamega, at least a shop and a residential house had been torched as protestors fought with riot police in the morning.

 

Business in Kisumu and Migori towns came to a standstill as youths lit fires and chanted in praise of the Orange Democratic Movement.

 

They used burning tyres and other barricades to block the Kisumu-Nakuru and Kisumu-Busia roads. Some mobs went to schools and ejected students from classes shouting “No Raila No school!”.

 

Most civil servants in Kisumu were forced to run back to their houses for safety as the rowdy youths took over the streets.

 

In Migori, the police appeared overwhelmed by the hundreds of youths who pulled down sign posts along the main road in the town.

 

In Eldoret, youths blocked the main roads to protest the killings.

 

Additional reporting by the Kenya News Agency

 

Story by NATION Reporter
Publication Date: 1/28/2008

posted by: Moosecow at 14:58 | link | comments |
africa, kenya

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