Kenya: political violence spirals

Parts of the Rift Valley have again been affected by politically motivated violence after the elections of December 1997. The attacks followed a similar pattern to those affecting the run-up to the previous elections in 1992 where supporters of the ruling Kenya African National Union attacked members of the Kikuyu community considered to be supporting the opposition. This time local ethnic divisons have been deliberately enflamed and members of the Kikuya have retaliated with violence. Many people have been killed or displaced. There is evidence that violence that is 'apparently' happening of its own accord is actually being organised and assisted by outside groups.