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Annan hits out at Kenya 'abuses' | Annan hits out at Kenya 'abuses' |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Former UN head Kofi Annan has condemned "gross and systematic abuses of human rights" in Kenya, after a visit to violence-hit parts of the country. | Former UN head Kofi Annan has condemned "gross and systematic abuses of human rights" in Kenya, after a visit to violence-hit parts of the country. |
Mr Annan said conflict may have been triggered by disputed elections, but it had evolved into "something else". | Mr Annan said conflict may have been triggered by disputed elections, but it had evolved into "something else". |
The facts had to be established and those responsible held to account, Mr Annan said on his return to Nairobi. | |
On Saturday, police brought 16 badly burnt bodies to the mortuary in Nakuru, the capital of Rift Valley province. | On Saturday, police brought 16 badly burnt bodies to the mortuary in Nakuru, the capital of Rift Valley province. |
Mr Annan - in Kenya to mediate attempts for a political solution - was flown over Nakuru on Saturday as part of a tour that also included visits to Eldoret and Molo district. | Mr Annan - in Kenya to mediate attempts for a political solution - was flown over Nakuru on Saturday as part of a tour that also included visits to Eldoret and Molo district. |
Inter-ethnic strife in NakuruIn pictures: Nakuru violencePress sees long road ahead | Inter-ethnic strife in NakuruIn pictures: Nakuru violencePress sees long road ahead |
Hospital staff in Nakuru said they had received the bodies of nine more people, hacked by machetes or killed by arrows. | Hospital staff in Nakuru said they had received the bodies of nine more people, hacked by machetes or killed by arrows. |
Earlier the authorities had imposed an overnight curfew across the city in the wake of renewed inter-ethnic conflict. | Earlier the authorities had imposed an overnight curfew across the city in the wake of renewed inter-ethnic conflict. |
Rival gangs of young men battled with machetes, metal bars, bows and arrows, while thick smoke billowed up from burning buildings. | Rival gangs of young men battled with machetes, metal bars, bows and arrows, while thick smoke billowed up from burning buildings. |
The violence came despite hopes of progress after President Mwai Kibaki met opposition leader Raila Odinga for the first time on Thursday since December's disputed polls. | The violence came despite hopes of progress after President Mwai Kibaki met opposition leader Raila Odinga for the first time on Thursday since December's disputed polls. |
Burnt forests | Burnt forests |
Mr Annan set off from Nairobi shortly after first light on Saturday to see for himself some of the destruction and human misery caused by more than three weeks of violence. | Mr Annan set off from Nairobi shortly after first light on Saturday to see for himself some of the destruction and human misery caused by more than three weeks of violence. |
On Friday Mr Annan held talks with religious leaders | On Friday Mr Annan held talks with religious leaders |
He visited some of the thousands of people in Eldoret whose homes have been destroyed or who moved to the town to try to find shelter. | He visited some of the thousands of people in Eldoret whose homes have been destroyed or who moved to the town to try to find shelter. |
The former UN chief also boarded a helicopter to fly to Molo district where many have been killed. | |
Speaking in the capital, Nairobi, Mr Annan said: "What we saw was rather tragic. We visited several IDP [internally displaced persons] camps, we saw people pushed from their homes, from their farms, grandmothers, children, families uprooted. | |
"And I think it is important that all Kenyans respond with sympathy and understanding, and not try to revenge." | |
He also said there needed to be fundamental changes to Kenya's institutions to prevent a repetition. | |
"We cannot accept that periodically, every five years or so, this sort of incident takes place and no-one is held to account. Impunity cannot be allowed to stand," Mr Annan added. | |
Tanzania's former President, Benjamin Mkapa, travelling with Mr Annan, said: "The political crisis in the country [has caused] a state of agony and despair. We console the people." | Tanzania's former President, Benjamin Mkapa, travelling with Mr Annan, said: "The political crisis in the country [has caused] a state of agony and despair. We console the people." |
On Friday Mr Annan held talks with Kenyan election officials and religious leaders in Nairobi, urging them to use their leadership to encourage people to work for peace. | |
"The leaders may not be able to do it alone. We all need to play our part," he said. | |
Barricade | Barricade |
Nakuru is said to be relatively quiet following the overnight curfew. But there has been sporadic gunfire in the city on Saturday. | Nakuru is said to be relatively quiet following the overnight curfew. But there has been sporadic gunfire in the city on Saturday. |
The BBC's Adam Mynott says that some protesters erected a barricade across the main road and many homes have been burnt in the town. | The BBC's Adam Mynott says that some protesters erected a barricade across the main road and many homes have been burnt in the town. |
Hundreds of people have sought refuge in churches or friends' homes. | Hundreds of people have sought refuge in churches or friends' homes. |
There are also reports of truckloads of many young men being moved overnight to a village on the outskirts of the town. | There are also reports of truckloads of many young men being moved overnight to a village on the outskirts of the town. |
The unrest triggered by the election on 27 December has driven 250,000 people from their homes. Mr Odinga says he was robbed of the presidency. | The unrest triggered by the election on 27 December has driven 250,000 people from their homes. Mr Odinga says he was robbed of the presidency. |
Are you in Kenya? Are you affected by the curfew? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. | Are you in Kenya? Are you affected by the curfew? Send us your comments and experiences by filling out the form below. |