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Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)

Kenya: Religious Groups Say Opposition Stoked Up Post-Poll Violence

18 January 2008

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The opposition's rejection of presidential election results fueled the violence in which over 600 Kenyans have died and 250,000 others displaced, an alliance of religious organizations said.

Ufungamano Initiative on Thursday deplored the loss of human life, displacement of thousands, massive destruction of property and disruption of normal business in the country.

"The rejection of the presidential results by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) aggravated the violence that had erupted as a result of the delay of announcement of the results. Consequently, more than 600 Kenyans, mostly in Coast, Nairobi, Nyanza, Rift Valley and Western provinces, have lost their lives," the alliance said in a statement.

The alliance called for an end to the carnage and for thorough investigations to arrest all those behind it. The group also told off unnamed foreign diplomats in Nairobi whose statements on the current crisis "are partisan". They should "respect our sovereignty as the Republic of Kenya."

At the same time Ufungamano urged dialogue between the government and the opposition to end the current stalemate. Opposition leaders should "give dialogue a chance" rather than engage in mass action.

Ufungamano is a forum of religious organizations comprising the Anglican Church of Kenya, Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, Hindu Council of Kenya, Kenya Episcopal Conference, Methodist Church of Kenya, National Council of Churches of Kenya, Organization of African Instituted Churches, Presbyterian Church of East Africa, Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Salvation Army.

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