Two members of Kenya's opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) were shot dead within 72 hours this week. The second death temporarily postponed negotiations on the violence that has erupted since the disputed re-election of Mwai Kiaiki as president.
MP David Kimutai Too was shot dead on 31 January in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. A policewoman was also shot dead. Kenyan police and the media reported that it was a 'crime of passion', but the OMD called it a politically motivated execution.
Mugabe Were, another ODM MP was shot outside his house in Nairobi on 29 January. Both deaths sparked new rounds of violence: in Eldoret, police reportedly fired bullets in the air to disperse protesters. The BBC said that at least three opposition supporters were shot dead by police before dawn on 1 February.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has travelled to Kenya, where he met separately with President Mwai Kibaki and with opposition leader Raila Odinga. The UN chief's predecessor, Kofi Annan, has been mediating between the leaders.
Several IANSA members in Kenya have been involved in assisting victims and mediating local conflicts. Africa Peace Forum said that it is concerned at the apparent liberal use of small arms by police against civilians. Peacenet Kenya said it is encouraged by the talks, but solutions need to be found for the underlying ethnic tensions, particularly in the Rift Valley. Peacenet also said security in IDP camps is low and needs urgent attention.
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