NAIROBI, Kenya – More than 100,000 Kenyans have been displaced since the fighting began after the 2007 presidential election. According to a UN official in Nairobi, about 500,000 people are in urgent need. Many have sought refuge in police stations and churches but neither is equipped for the alarming humanitarian demand.

Since last weekend, hundreds have been killed, thousands are homeless and hungry and several children have died from exposure. The International Committee of the Red Cross has appealed for more than £7m of aid and the UN World Food Programme said it was struggling to get food to 100,000 hungry people.

The December 27 results, which re-elected President Mwai Kibaki over opposition rival Raila Odinga, has unleashed a wave of ethnic violence. Odinga, his Orange Democratic Movement party and his Luo tribe claims the voting was rigged and is demanding that Kibaki stand down as president and wants a new presidential election within three months. According to Alfred Mutua, spokesman for President Kibaki, Kibaki is willing to accept a re-vote only if it is ordered by a court.

Meanwhile, the mass rally schedule by Odinga to take place today was canceled after massive security forces halted the demonstration and many protestors failed to march on central Nairobi.

South African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu has met with both sides and reports that Kibaki has agreed to a coalition government. Also, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer arrived in Nairobi overnight in an attempt at mediation in Kenya, which was once seen as one of the continent’s most stable democracies.

Britain, the US and France have all expressed belief that the election was rigged.

For more information please see:

BBC- Kenya’s Humanitarian Crisis Grows – 4 January 2008

Reuters: Africa – Kenya Government Ready for New Vote if Ruled By Court – 4 January 2008

Reuters: Africa – US Envoy in Kenya for Talks to End Crisis – 4 January 2008