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In Kenya, Annan Denounces Violent 'Abuses'

Former UN head finds crisis 'tragic'; dozens more deaths reported

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2008 11:25 AM CST
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(Newser) – Kofi Annan, in Kenya to mediate a settlement to the brutal conflict rocking the country, condemned the "gross and systematic abuses of human rights"  he had seen on a tour of the country's worst flashpoints, the BBC reports. Dozens more gruesome deaths were reported today. Annan spoke of displaced families and called on Kenyans to break the cycle of revenge.

The former UN chief toured areas where violence has taken a heavy toll, including the city of Nakuru, where hospitals today received the bodies of dozens of people burned to death or killed by machetes or arrows in gang fighting. At least 250,000 Kenyans have been driven from their homes since a disputed election in December plunged the country into crisis.

Furniture and other belongings fill the yard of a church where dozens of families who had their houses burned down, or fled for safety, are now living, in Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted in the town and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from two...
Furniture and other belongings fill the yard of a church where dozens of families who had their houses burned down, or fled for safety, are now living, in Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire...   (Associated Press)
A truck transporting displaced Kenyans fleeing the city drives out of the town of Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted in the town and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from two days of bloodshed in western Kenya's main town reached at least 25, including 16...
A truck transporting displaced Kenyans fleeing the city drives out of the town of Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted in the town and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from...   (Associated Press)
Former UN Secretary General gives a press conference at Nairobi's Serena hotel, Friday Jan 25 2008 flanked by religious leaders whom he met with in his efforts to broker for peace in Kenya' post electoral conflict. (AP Photo/ Tony Karumba, pool)
Former UN Secretary General gives a press conference at Nairobi's Serena hotel, Friday Jan 25 2008 flanked by religious leaders whom he met with in his efforts to broker for peace in Kenya' post electoral...   (Associated Press)
Former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan meets religious leaders whom he met with in his efforts to broker for peace in Kenya' post electoral conflict, at Nairobi's Serena hotel, Friday Jan 25 2008 . Annan orchestrated a symbolic first meeting between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga in Nairobi,...
Former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan meets religious leaders whom he met with in his efforts to broker for peace in Kenya' post electoral conflict, at Nairobi's Serena hotel, Friday Jan 25 2008...   (Associated Press)
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga, left, poses for a photograph with former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, during a meeting at a local hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. (AP PHOTO/Simon MAINA, Pool)
Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga, left, poses for a photograph with former U.N. chief Kofi Annan, during a meeting at a local hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008. (AP PHOTO/Simon MAINA,...   (Associated Press)
This photo released by Presidential Press Services shows Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki with the former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, at State House Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, after Annan visited the displaced people in the Rift Valley Province. (AP Photo/Presidential Press Services- HO)
This photo released by Presidential Press Services shows Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki with the former United Nations Secretary General, Kofi Annan, at State House Nairobi, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008,...   (Associated Press)
One month old Elizabeth Nyambunde, right, is held in the arms of a relative whilst her twin sister Sylvia is fed by her mother, both not pictured, at a church where dozens of families who had their houses burned down, or fled for safety, are now living, in Nakuru, Kenya,...
One month old Elizabeth Nyambunde, right, is held in the arms of a relative whilst her twin sister Sylvia is fed by her mother, both not pictured, at a church where dozens of families who had their houses...   (Associated Press)
A truck full of displaced Kenyans fleeing the city drives out of the town of Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted in the town and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from two days of bloodshed in western Kenya's main town reached at least 25 including...
A truck full of displaced Kenyans fleeing the city drives out of the town of Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted in the town and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from two...   (Associated Press)
A man walks down the street wailing at the loss of his brother whom he said was killed in the recent fighting in Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted Saturday and young men vowed revenge as the death toll from two days of bloodshed in western Kenya's main...
A man walks down the street wailing at the loss of his brother whom he said was killed in the recent fighting in Nakuru, Kenya, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. Gunfire erupted Saturday and young men vowed revenge...   (Associated Press)
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Annan calls for investigation of Rift Valley violence
AFP

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Kenya • United Nations • Kofi Annan • Kenyan elections • Nakuru • displaced persons

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