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US envoy begins Kenyan meetings US envoy begins Kenyan meetings
(20 minutes 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.
Jendayi Frazer, the top US envoy for Africa, has met opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi and is to see President Mwai Kibaki shortly.Jendayi Frazer, the top US envoy for Africa, has met opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi and is to see President Mwai Kibaki shortly.
The opposition say Mr Kibaki cheated to win a second term on 27 December.The opposition say Mr Kibaki cheated to win a second term on 27 December.
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.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.
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.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.
Calls for calmCalls for calm
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. The US would not comment on the meeting between Ms Frazer and Mr Odinga, which lasted two and a half hours, but an ODM representative said it had been constructive.
Jendayi Frazer met Raila Odinga over breakfast on SaturdayJendayi Frazer met Raila Odinga over breakfast on Saturday
Mr Odinga had called for international mediation and for the election to be held over again, the representative added.
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.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.
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.
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.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 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.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."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 violenceWe 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 regions worst hit are western Kenya and the Rift Valley.
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. There is plenty of food in the country but trucks have been unable to deliver it because of vigilante violence on many roads, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports.
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. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing supplies for 100,000 people in the northern Rift Valley.
Nearly all the refugees in western Kenya are hungry, and several children have died of exposure. "We need supplies up here urgently particularly of cooking oil and of corn-soya blend which is particularly important for feeding young children at risk of malnutrition," the WFP's Marcus Prior told BBC Radio 5 Live.
The International Committee of the Red Cross issued an urgent appeal for more than £7m of aid. "Forty per cent of those people displaced are children and this operation is particularly urgent because people left their homes with really nothing at all."
The Red Cross are arranging transport and security to make sure the food gets where it is needed.
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.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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