Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, sporadic violence erupted countrywide between various communities resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people. The violence has been attributed to political parties disputing the presidential results. Kenya Red Cross immediately went into action to help victims.
According to information given by Kenya Red Cross, over 100,000 people have been affected or displaced countrywide, including about 10,000 people in Busia, 20,000 in Burnt Forest, 30,000 in Eldoret, 1,980 in Kibera-Nairobi and 720 in Bungoma.
About 120 people have been reported dead and over 1,000 people confirmed injured countrywide. The wounded sustained panga cuts, gunshot wounds and burns, and received emergency First Aid from Kenya Red Cross personnel before they were rushed to hospital for treatment and later discharged.
As tension remains high, there is increased displacement of people into police stations, churches, schools and market centres. A number of towns are totally cut off, as many major roads are barricaded by various communities and denying access to road users.
There is a huge traffic snarl up from Nakuru town to Nyanza and to Rift Valley and other key towns, which has made it impossible for relief assistance from Kenya Red Cross to access the affected communities. Essential supplies and key markets have also been affected.
One of the most serious incident happened in the town of Eldoret. According to local media reports, between 35 and 40 people have died, including women and children, following the burning of a church on 1st January.
According to Kenya Red Cross, 42 people sustained serious burns and rushed to hospital and many more were still not accounted for. Over 20,000 people have been displaced in Burnt Forest and another 30,000 people in Eldoret. Hundreds of the displaced people sought shelter at the church when they were attacked by another community.
A number of houses have been burnt and scores of people have been streaming into various churches, schools and police stations for shelter and safety.
Major roads leading to Burnt Forest and Eldoret have been barricaded making it difficult for Kenya Red Cross to deliver the much needed humanitarian assistance.
A helicopter assessment mission by Kenya Red Cross was conducted into Burnt Forest and Eldoret on 1st January. It concluded that the affected people needed urgent humanitarian assistance in form of food and non-food items.
The Kenya Red Cross had put in place an election contingency plan prior to the elections, with over 500 trained staff and volunteers on high alert throughout the country. Over 40 land cruisers and 50 trucks are on standby.
Kenya Red Cross personnel have assisted the affected people in Kibera, Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, Nyando, Siaya, Eldoret, Butere-Mumias, Busia, Kakamega, Sirisia, Lugari, Meru and Mombasa-Likoni, Kisauni, Changamwe. Kenya Red Cross also provided emergency First Aid and ambulance services to injured people. 18,000 family sets have been put on standby to be used where there is need.
Kenya Red Cross will conduct emergency distribution of relief items once the road network is accessible. Assessments are ongoing countrywide to determine the exact extent of the humanitarian crisis.
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Red Cross workers remove bodies after ethnic violence in Kiambaa. Photo: REUTERS/Tim Cocks
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A woman covers her face to protect from teargas during ethnic violence in Nairobi Photo: REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
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Television frame grab shows aerial footage of the area where a church was attacked near Eldoret. Photo: REUTERS/Kenyan Red Cross via REUTERS TV
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