• What was so controversial about the presidential election?

The main opposition to Kibaki’s election has come from Raila Odinga who belongs to the Luo tribe. He has alleged large-scale electoral fraud and rigging. Odinga led in the electoral count for three consecutive days until the result was announced. According to the Kenyan papers, the Election Commission was forced to declare the results of the election under duress from Kibaki’s party of national unity. While hundreds of people have died in the violence, approximately 100,000 people have been rendered homeless or displaced.

• What is the scale of the violence?

Hundreds of people have died in the clashes so far. In a violent episode at Eldoret nearly 50 people died when a mob torched a church — less than 200 miles from the capital Nairobi. The majority of victims belonged to Kibaki’s tribe, the Kikuyus. In the past there have been no major clashes between different tribes.

• How has the international community responded to the current crisis?

In its response to the current unrest in Kenya, the US Department of State has clearly stated that it will not accept the results of the election unless all doubts regarding the fairness of the election are put to rest. It has also issued a travel advisory to visitors. The United Kingdom has called upon both Kibaki and Odinga to act in a responsible manner.

• How was Kibaki’s performance in his first term as president?

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