Kenya in Crisis Day 26: Fresh Violence

There is fresh violence being reported in Nairobi.

Five people were killed as fresh violence erupts in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, officials said Monday. The violence has accompanied protests against the re-election of President Mwai Kibaki, and the protests are increasing.

The violence erupts even as mediators try to find common ground between pro-Kibaki and those supporting opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Police said the five were killed with a machete. Authorities said the killings between the supporters of the rival camps intensified in the past six days.

This is on the heels of fresh violence in other parts of Kenya (this one in Kipkelion)

"A group of armed warriors attacked a village, leaving five people dead and property destroyed. These were refugees in a camp, people thought to have supported (President Mwai) Kibaki," Rift Valley Provincial Police Officer Everett Wasige said.

...and homes being burnt in Kemeloi

mobile telephone with relatives in this area have informed us that they slept outside for the last two days and tonight various houses are being burnt by men with arrows. the police are not able to help because they move in large numbers as large as 30men who vandalise and steal livestock and burn houses. security is not provided because it appears that the police are overwhelmed by the incidents

...and also a confrontation between protestors and police that killed another person in Narok.

Tense atmosphere in Narok Town as protesters gathered in groups and attempted to walk into the town centre to protest the election outcome.As the approaching crowd grew larger, police fire live shots and tear gas canisters to disperse them. In the resulting melee and subsequent running battles, 3 protesters were seriously injured and one shot dead.

Meanwhile, there are now reports that claim the violence wasn't spontaneous but rather pre planned.

Police authorities in Kenya and human rights officials have said that the tribal fighting that brought life to a standstill in the country after the elections were pre meditated.

Dan Juma, acting deputy director of the Kenya Human Rights Commission said that what aroused suspicion was the timing of the fighting.

Juma told a New York Times correspondent, "It wasn't like people just woke up and started fighting each other. It was organized."

If these reports prove accurate, then it is more evidence that the situation is on the brink of being critical. If the violence was pre determined then they are likely organized. If they are organized, then it is likely the group with the most muscle will wind up with the power.