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Vital food aid is starting to be distributed across Kenya to thousands of people who have been forced to flee for their lives as a result of ethnic violence.
A Kikuyu mother and child who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence following the disputed December 27 presidential election. Photo: Georgina Cranston
It is estimated that 250,000 Kenyans have been displaced and 600 killed due to unrest triggered by the disputed general election result.
The United Nations says the humanitarian situation is worsening. Water, sanitation and shelter are emerging as aid agency priorities.
The World Food Programme, which is run by the UN, has organised lorries carrying pulses, vegetable oil and a corn-soya blend to go to communities in the Rift Valley, the western town of Eldoret and the capital.
Phil James, Tearfund disaster management officer for northern Kenya, said an improvement in the security situation had helped food distribution.
‘The violence in western Kenya, the Coast Province and Nairobi has reduced,’ he said.
‘In the last 36 hours the number of road blocks has gone down considerably. The fact convoys have left is a good sign.
‘The first major convoy is on its way to Eldoret with enough food to feed 35,000 people for the next month.’
Tearfund’s partners working in Nairobi and the Rift Valley have been affected by the unrest with many staff who went home for Christmas still unable to return to their jobs due to fear of violence.
Hopes of talks between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have failed to materialise.
Mr Odinga is now planning to stage mass rallies next week in 30 locations across Kenya.