Nairobi — Nineteen women have been raped in Nairobi in 24 hours as post-election violence intensified.

The victims are undergoing treatment at the Nairobi Women's Hospital.

An unknown number of women and girls were also reportedly gang-raped in Mathare, Korogocho, Dandora, Kawangware and Kibera slums, while several men were sodomised in one of the ugly scenes of post-election violence.

Speaking at Gender and Violence Recovery Centre, Dr Sam Nthenya, the head of Nairobi Women's Hospital appealed to two senior women in the country to intervene.

"I am appealing to Her Excellency Mrs Lucy Kibaki and Mrs Ida Odinga to reach out to the nation and calm the nerves of many," he said.

Nthenya said if the men have failed to come together then the women should to save the country.

Ms Njoki Ndung'u said President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga should put aside their differences since the country was bigger than the two.

"I appeal to them to put aside their differences and ensure calm is restored," she said.

Several women, girls and men are locked up in their homes after the ordeal for fear and lack of transport to hospitals.

Ms Mary Onyango, the director of Kenya Breast Health, said in every life lost a woman would suffer.

"For any life lost there is a woman suffering, that person is somebody's husband, child or sister and they have a life to lead and that is what is being taken away," she added.