Kenya's Crisis Makes A Tough Life Tougher

CBS News Exclusive: In Nairobi's Slums, Prayers For An End To Violence Sparked By Disupted Election

(CBS)  By CBS News reporter Katherine Arms.

All across Kenya people are going to church and praying for a peaceful end to the crisis that swept through the country. Most want to get back to work and get on with their lives.

At first, there is little evidence of how frightened people were a few days ago. Shops are open and cars are on the roads again.

But the price of food and gasoline has risen, as goods have slowed coming from Mombasa port due to possible insecurity.

In the city's crowded slums, life that was already tough is now even harder for people. Prices for maize meal and vegetables are nearly five times what they were. Many are still afraid to leave their homes, as thieves threaten to break in and take what little they have. So many are without money because no one has been able to work in this crisis and are therefore without food.

In a slum near my home, residents are looking after three small children after a Kikuyu gang attacked their Luo parents, hacking at them with machetes. Both mother and father are in critical condition in a city hospital while their neighbors (without much themselves) try to help the three children.

Trucks carrying more than 600 tons of food from the UN's World Food Program are coming from Mombasa - half is destined for people in Nairobi and the other half is headed to Eldoret, where thousands were displaced in the violence a few days ago. More than 350 people have been killed.

There is enough food to feed 35,000 people for one month, but that is mere third of the 100,000 the WFP estimates have been displaced in the greater Rift Valley. That number is a working figure only, as people continue to move to where they feel safest.

The turmoil continues as U.S. Envoy Jendayi Frazer engages in a diplomatic shuffle, meeting with Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki separately, to try to create some solution for this political impasse, caused by questions about the integrity of the Dec. 27 election.

Odinga says he is willing to consider power sharing, but only after international mediation solves this dilemma. We expect the African Union Chief John Kufuor to arrive in Nairobi in the coming days.

The opposition still plans a rally on Tuesday - worrying many here that there will be more trouble ahead when most people are ready for peace.

The rally is planned for Nairobi's Uhuru Park - the same venue where it was meant to be held last Thursday, when demonstrators were held back by riot police and violence broke out, moving the opposition to call the whole thing off. Today the park is still sealed off. General Service Unit police ringing the area, allowing no one in.

There are still pockets of trouble, too. About 40 miles outside the Western town of Kitale, a camp for the displaced was attacked in the early hours of the morning. One woman was killed in the crossfire. It was unclear who launched the attack but it appears to be politically motivated, as most people in the camp were from the Kisii tribe who had thrown their support behind Kibaki.

Nairobi's slums are home to more than a million people - and the ethnic divisions are worrying. People who are in the minority of the ethnic mix (and it's a different breakdown in each slum) are being threatened. Also, because there is little food in the slums, people venture out to buy goods but then are afraid to be seen carrying anything as they might be robbed.

Local news showed a woman tripping as she alighted from a small minibus, dropping her groceries. Within seconds thugs took her handbag and groceries.

The election and its aftermath has caused a massive displacement of people which will change the way Kenyans live and work and deal with each other. WFP says things are still very tense in the Rift Valley area but they do appear to be improving on the ground.

Kenya is dividing into tribal areas with the Kikuyus, the Meru and the Kisii gathering in the Central Province and the Luo, Luya and others surrounding them.

People are continuing to flee rural areas as some are receiving threats and are being told by other tribes to leave and never return.

[harp1963]

Poor Kenya. If they only had mineral resources that friends of George Bush and Cheney needed.

[keithle1]

Almost $700 billion in aid has been poured into Africa over the years. What do we have to show for it?

Not much.

[runningralph]

realpatriot,
The UN is sending food. Maybe some bandages and medicine. The UN has no power. All the UN can do is talk about it. But you knew that. You''re just pointing out the impotence of the UN. Am I right?

[realpatriot1]

Where is the U.N.?

[ipranked]

You have to feel sorry for people that become victims at the hands of bullies. People that prey on woman and children are cowards and need to be tortured (IMO). They come in with guns and knives because they are too weak to fight with fist. Cowards!

Ron T
Founder
www.ipranked.com