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Kibaki hints at unity government Kibaki hints at unity government
(40 minutes later)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki says he is ready to form a government of national unity, an official statement said.Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki says he is ready to form a government of national unity, an official statement said.
The statement was issued after Mr Kibaki met the top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer.The statement was issued after Mr Kibaki met the top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer.
But opposition leader Raila Odinga says Mr Kibaki must step down as president and that his preferred option remains for new elections to be held.But opposition leader Raila Odinga says Mr Kibaki must step down as president and that his preferred option remains for new elections to be held.
Kenya has been beset by violence since polls last month which the opposition says were rigged in Mr Kibaki's favour.Kenya has been beset by violence since polls last month which the opposition says were rigged in Mr Kibaki's favour.
The official statement said Mr Kibaki was "ready to form a government of national unity that would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process." President Kibaki is under diplomatic pressure to end the violenceIn the latest clashes, several houses were set on fire in Nairobi's Mathare slum district, the Associated Press news agency reported, adding that one man had been shot dead by police.
It also said Ms Frazer had commended Mr Kibaki for reaching out to the opposition in order to stop the violence, and had called on all parties to embrace dialogue as a way out of the current situation. Unrest has spread from the capital Nairobi to other parts of the country, with police dispersing opposition protesters in the coastal city of Mombasa.
And the BBC's Grant Ferrett in the western city of Kisumu says hundreds of ethnic Kikuyus were being forced to leave on buses after being targeted by opposition supporters who accused them of backing President Kibaki.
'No direct negotiations'
Mr Kibaki said in a statement that he was "ready to form a government of national unity that would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process".
We need supplies up here urgently Marcus Prior, WFP Ethnic tensionsIn pictures: After the violenceWe need supplies up here urgently Marcus Prior, WFP Ethnic tensionsIn pictures: After the violence
The statement also said Ms Frazer had commended Mr Kibaki for reaching out to the opposition to stop the violence, and had called on all parties to embrace dialogue.
But Mr Odinga said his position had not changed.But Mr Odinga said his position had not changed.
"We want a negotiated settlement. Our starting point is that Kibaki is there illegally. He should not come to the negotiating table as the president," he said."We want a negotiated settlement. Our starting point is that Kibaki is there illegally. He should not come to the negotiating table as the president," he said.
He said there would be no direct negotiations with Mr Kibaki.He said there would be no direct negotiations with Mr Kibaki.
It is understood that Ms Frazer was to have a second round of talks with Mr Odinga.It is understood that Ms Frazer was to have a second round of talks with Mr Odinga.
RefugeesRefugees
The US delegation is not releasing details of its side of discussions, but the BBC understands that it is pushing the line that there should be a government of national unity.The US delegation is not releasing details of its side of discussions, but the BBC understands that it is pushing the line that there should be a government of national unity.
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%
More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections.More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections.
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, with the west and the Rift Valley worst hit.
US envoy Jendayi Frazer has met both sides
The regions worst hit are western Kenya and the Rift Valley.
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.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.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing supplies for 100,000 people in the northern Rift Valley.The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing supplies for 100,000 people in the northern Rift Valley.
"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 the BBC."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 the BBC.
"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."
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%
The Red Cross are arranging transport and security to make sure the food gets where it is needed.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.
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.