Here is how one place described the events...Two people were killed in the western city of Kisumu, an opposition stronghold where burning tires blocked the roads. Witnesses said they were shot at by police — but the authorities claimed officers had only fired in the air.
Police also used live rounds in the capital, Nairobi, and in the town of Eldoret, wounding at least five people. The latest clashes raised fears of more mass ethnic killings, like those that followed the election on December 27.
Young men armed with machetes hurled stones at police who fired back tear gas in a slum in Kenya's capital Thursday, but most of the country was quiet as
opposition protests over a disputed presidential election appeared to lose
steam.
Residents hid indoors and crouched on the floors of shops as young men ran past in Nairobi's Mathare slum. Police fired tear gas down dirt alleyways and gunshots into the air.
It is important to note that the police are an extension of the government currently in charge of Mwai Kibaki. Kibaki is from the Kikuyu tribe, the largest tribe in Kenya. He is currently being blamed for what the conventional wisdom now considers rigged elections. The armed men with machetes are generally from a loose coalition of every other tribe. Last week the same sort of scenes were occurring only these armed men had their sights set on the commoners who they deemed from the Kikuyu tribe. Now, they have turned their venom toward the police which they also identify with the Kikuyu tribe.
It is unclear what the purpose of the rallies is however one effect is increasing the violence, tension and death in the country. Ultimately, what these rallies show is that chaos is ultimately in control of that country. The image of groups of men roaming around with machetes evoke the darkest hours in the aftermath of the rigged election. The most primitive and debased sort of tribal and gang warfare are fusing together to create a situation that is spiraling out of control.
The current leader, Mwai Kibaki, and the opposition leader, Raila Odingo, haven't spoken face to face since the crisis started.
It is unclear what such a meeting would accomplish anyway. At this point, just about anything could be construed as stoking the tensions.
Cities throughout the country are reporting ongoing humanitarian crises. There is widespread violence, looting, gang warfare, and militia activity. It is unclear at this point that anyone is in charge.
While politicians, diplomats, and so called statesmen offer advice counsel and mediation the country continues to spiral out of control. There is no indication that there will be any legitimate action to stop this impending nightmare anytime soon.
