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US envoy seeks Kenya crisis talks US envoy begins Kenyan meetings
(about 1 hour later)
Diplomatic efforts are continuing in Kenya to end a political crisis after last week's disputed presidential poll.Diplomatic efforts are continuing in Kenya to end a political crisis after last week's disputed presidential poll.
The US top envoy for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, is in Nairobi, planning to hold talks with President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga. Jendayi Frazer, the top US envoy for Africa, has met opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi and is to see President Mwai Kibaki shortly.
Post-election violence has claimed 350 lives in the east African country. The opposition say Mr Kibaki cheated to win a second term on 27 December.
At least a quarter of a million people have been displaced by unrest amid a growing humanitarian crisis, the United Nations estimates. Post-election violence has claimed 350 lives in the east African country and at least a quarter of a million people have been displaced, the UN believes.
See Kenya's ethnic divisions by province See Kenya's ethnic divisions by province
Some have been housed in makeshift camps while others have sought refuge in police stations or churches.Some have been housed in makeshift camps while others have sought refuge in police stations or churches.
The latest developments come as anti-government protests have fizzled out and the president has said he might accept opposition demands for a fresh election, but only if ordered by a court. Anti-government protests have fizzled out and the president has said he may accept opposition demands for a fresh election, but only if ordered by a court.
But Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has said it will not go to court because it has no confidence in its rulings.But Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has said it will not go to court because it has no confidence in its rulings.
The officially declared results of the 27 December presidential election gave victory to incumbent President Kibaki over Mr Odinga. The opposition says Mr Kibaki's officials have rigged the poll.
Calls for calmCalls for calm
Ms Frazer was expected to start talks with both sides of the conflict on Saturday, a US state department spokesman said. US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington said Ms Frazer's mission should be seen as part of other international efforts to try to find a peaceful solution to the political impasse.
We are profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatred and the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups in Kenya UN rights experts' statement class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7171605.stm">Can Tutu heal the wounds? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7170600.stm">Diplomacy falters class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7171998.stm">In pictures: After the violence Jendayi Frazer met Raila Odinga over breakfast on Saturday
"She's meeting with Mr Odinga and we have requested a meeting with President Kibaki. I see no reason why that won't happen," spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington. Mr Kibaki has said he will not accept foreign mediation in the dispute, though he has spoken on the phone to a number of international leaders.
He added that Mrs Frazer's mission should be seen as part of other international efforts to try to find a peaceful solution to the political impasse.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier urged calm in separate telephone conversations with Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon earlier urged calm in separate telephone conversations with Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband has urged Kenya to let the head of the African Union, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, play a mediating role in the crisis. UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband urged Kenya to let the head of the African Union, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, play a mediating role in the crisis.
On Friday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner has said he believed the election had been "rigged". On Friday, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said he believed the election had been "rigged".
Francois Grignon, the Africa director of the International Crisis group, said what was needed was a coherent plan by all interested parties, not just a series of visits.
"International efforts... have to come together on a joint strategy, and the reputation of visits by high-level officials is not necessarily going to deliver a solution," he told the BBC's World Today programme.
RefugeesRefugees
The talks in Nairobi come amid warnings by UN officials that a humanitarian crisis was worsening across Kenya.The talks in Nairobi come amid warnings by UN officials that a humanitarian crisis was worsening across Kenya.
We are profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatred and the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups in Kenya UN rights experts' statement Can Tutu heal the wounds?Diplomacy faltersIn pictures: After the violence
The UN World Food Programme said it was struggling to get food to 100,000 hungry people forced to flee their homes in the Rift Valley area.The UN World Food Programme said it was struggling to get food to 100,000 hungry people forced to flee their homes in the Rift Valley area.
The BBC's Karen Allen in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, where at least 30 people were burned to death in a church this week, says 30,000 local people have been displaced.The BBC's Karen Allen in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, where at least 30 people were burned to death in a church this week, says 30,000 local people have been displaced.
Some 10,000 people there are seeking refuge in the compound of the cathedral of the Catholic Church, which is now spearheading local relief efforts.Some 10,000 people there are seeking refuge in the compound of the cathedral of the Catholic Church, which is now spearheading local relief efforts.
In badly-affected western Kenya nearly all the refugees are hungry, and several children have died of exposure. Nearly all the refugees in western Kenya are hungry, and several children have died of exposure.
The International Committee of the Red Cross issued an urgent appeal for more than £7m of aid.The International Committee of the Red Cross issued an urgent appeal for more than £7m of aid.
A statement by a group of independent UN rights experts on Friday said: "We are profoundly alarmed by the reports of incitement to racial hatred and the growing frictions between the different ethnic groups in Kenya." A group of independent UN rights experts on Friday said they were "profoundly alarmed" by reports of incitement to racial hatred and growing frictions between Kenya's different ethnic groups.
Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963.Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963.
Mr Kibaki depends for support on the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who seek greater autonomy - back Mr Odinga.Mr Kibaki depends for support on the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who seek greater autonomy - back Mr Odinga.
KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15% KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15%
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