by Erik Markusson

Created on: March 22, 2008

The violence which occurred after the December 27th presidential elections between Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga resulted in the death 1000 people and an estimated 300,000 people displaced according to the Norwegian Refuge Council. It was initiated by irregularities in the election. The violence had a ethnic and tribal aspect. It took place primarily between the Kikuyu and Luo tribes, the tribes of Kibaki and Odinga respectively. Most of the violence was centered in the Rift Valley and western Kenya. Some also took place in the slums of Nairobi. Though the violence was localized to those areas it had the potential to become widespread the longer the election was left unresolved.

There are many reasons why a resolution needed to be reached for Kenya and the world. First and foremost it's important to prevent a worse humanitarian crisis. Until the post-election violence, Kenya was one of the more stable countries in Africa. This is significant because many African countries are notoriously unstable. Kenya is also a stabilizing influence in the region considering its role as a key peace-keeper and peace-maker especially in Somalia and Sudan. As long as the crisis continues they'll be unable to fulfill this role. Lastly, Kenya is a strategic partner of the US and the international community in the fight against terrorism in Somalia. 85

Additionally, Kenya is the economic and communication hub of the region so anything that happens there can have widespread consequences. Mombasa, a seaport on the Kenyan coast is the major port of east Africa. This crisis is already disrupting the flow of goods causing fuel and food shortages in not only Kenya but the neighboring countries as well. Kenya also has parks and reserves which provide habitat and protection for many endangered species.59

The international community got involved because it seemed that the opposing parties, the government of Mwai Kibaki and the opposition, Raila Odinga's ODM (Orange Democratic Movement) weren't going to be able to come to an agreement on their own. The UN, British Commonwealth League, and the African Union have been in contact with both sides. The US Assistant Secretary of State Jendayi Frazer was in Kenya just after violence broke out. The international community has called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. In particular the US has said to both sides that a political accommodation is needed. Finally a neutral international mediator, former UN Secretary General Dr. Kofi Annan has been

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