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UN food aid targets Kenya crisis Kenya food effort gets under way
(about 7 hours later)
New efforts to tackle the worsening humanitarian situation in Kenya are to begin soon with a UN shipment of food. A convoy of food trucks has left the Kenyan port of Mombasa, in a new effort to tackle a humanitarian crisis triggered by disputed elections.
The 666 tonnes on trucks from the port of Mombasa will try to tackle shortages caused by post-election violence. The trucks, carrying 666 tonnes of food and vegetable oil, are bound for Nairobi and Eldoret, where people displaced by the violence are gathered.
President Mwai Kibaki, who won polls the opposition says were rigged, has said he is willing to form a government of national unity to ease the crisis. No food has moved in Kenya since unrest broke out after elections last month which the opposition says were rigged.
Diplomatic moves are being stepped up, with planned mediation by a US envoy and the African Union chairman. The opposition rejected a subsequent offer of a national unity government.
More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections. The violence, much of it blamed on ethnic tensions, has killed 350 people and shocked a nation previously seen as one of the most stable in Africa.
Wider region The first group of 20 food trucks are carrying enough supplies to feed 35,000 people for a month.
The UN World Food Programme shipment on 20 trucks should be able to feed 35,000 people for a month. The UN says 250,000 people have been made homeless by the violence. Many have been sleeping in the open at public parks, police stations, public parks or churches.
President Kibaki is under diplomatic pressure to end the violence They have few belongings and little or no money.
The BBC's Peter Greste in Mombasa says that after a week of violence, food, fuel and basic commodities are in critically short supply across East Africa. The convoy also offers hope to neighbouring countries, for which Mombasa is also a key port and distribution hub.
The UN shipment will split its aid between the troubled town of Eldoret and the capital, Nairobi. Health fears
Our correspondent says the restoration of truck movements halted by the violence is essential not just for Kenya but the wider region as Kenya is the distribution hub for malnourished countries like Somalia, Sudan, the eastern Congo and Uganda.
Next week it is hoped armed escorts can be provided for truck movements.
British charity Merlin has warned of a looming health crisis in Kenya.British charity Merlin has warned of a looming health crisis in Kenya.
Country director Wubeshet Woldermariam said food and water supplies were "running dangerously low".Country director Wubeshet Woldermariam said food and water supplies were "running dangerously low".
Church services praying for peace have been held across Kenya
"If peace isn't restored within the next few days, disease outbreaks and severe dehydration are very real threats.""If peace isn't restored within the next few days, disease outbreaks and severe dehydration are very real threats."
Displaced Latest indications are that violence is waning and life starting to return to normal.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the electoral row will be stepped up on Sunday when US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer meets the rival politicians. But across Kenya on Sunday, church services have been held calling for peace.
Next week, the President of Ghana, John Kufuor, also the African Union chairman, will visit Kenya to try to mediate. "Our leaders have failed us. They have brought this catastrophe upon us. So now we are turning to the Almighty to save Kenya," worshipper Jane Riungu told the Reuters news agency as she took her children to church in Nairobi.
On the political front, the US's top Africa diplomat, Jendayi Frazer - who saw President Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader Raila Odinga on Saturday - is still in Nairobi, where she was expected to hold more talks.
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% Ethnic tensionsViolence scars town 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% Ethnic tensionsViolence scars town
His mediation was initially rejected by Mr Kibaki but the president has now agreed to the visit. The African Union chairman, President John Kufuor of Ghana, is also expected to visit Nairobi.
Mr Kibaki has said he is willing to form a government of national unity. Mr Kibaki has said he is willing to form a government of national unity to ease the crisis.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga indicated he was willing to negotiate, but reiterated his view that Mr Kibaki should step down. Opposition leader Raila Odinga says he is willing to negotiate, but says Mr Kibaki should step down.
The BBC's Adam Mynott says if the pair do sit down together for talks they will start from very different positions, but that even a willingness to talk is a sign of progress.
Tens of thousands of Kenyans have been displaced by the violence.
In 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.
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.
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.