Kenya Election Riots
Dec 31st, 2007, 03:36 AM
#21
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My my Mwangi....so transparent. Please do not post untruths...
TODAY's Daily Nation -
Death and chaos after Kibaki win
Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 12/31/2007
Violence continues to rock several parts of the country following the swearing in of President Kibaki for a second five-year term.
Armed Police officers watch as a fire razes houses in Magongo area of Mombasa during the night. Scores were seriously injured and are admitted at different hospitals in Mombasa after police shot at them with live bullets. Photo/LABAN WALLOGA
At least 19 people have been shot dead in Kisumu, while violence has persisted in Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kuresoi, Molo, Eldoret, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, Ahero, Migori, Kericho, Kitale, Lugari and Homabay.
Meanwhile, violence continues unabated in several Nairobi estates, including Dandora, Mathare, Kariobangi, Kawangware and Kibera.
Police have cordoned off Uhuru Park. Nobody is allowed inside the park, including news reporters. The GSU and regular police are also stationed on all roads leading to the Kibera slums.
Nairobi city centre is deserted as several shops remain closed. There is heavy police presence and gun shots were heard in parts of the central business district shortly after 11am. In some areas, police are turning away pedestrians from entering the town.
In Kisumu, reporters counted 19 bodies with bullet wounds at the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital’s mortuary. Violence has rocked the lakeside city for the third day in a row.
Nation staff at the Kisumu Bureau offices spent the night in the office as it was unsafe to move around.
In Narok, residents woke up to find the open air market torched. Foodstuff worth thousands of shillings was destroyed and 50 stalls torched.
A truck was set ablaze and at least four people injured.
The Narok Divisional Police Commander Mr Patrick Wambani said that the injured were admitted to the Narok District Hospital.
Police have arrested two people who are being questioned at the Narok Police Station.
In Mombasa, it is chaos as looters continue to raid shops while police watch helplessly.
TODAY's Daily Nation -
Death and chaos after Kibaki win
Story by NATION Team
Publication Date: 12/31/2007
Violence continues to rock several parts of the country following the swearing in of President Kibaki for a second five-year term.
Armed Police officers watch as a fire razes houses in Magongo area of Mombasa during the night. Scores were seriously injured and are admitted at different hospitals in Mombasa after police shot at them with live bullets. Photo/LABAN WALLOGA
At least 19 people have been shot dead in Kisumu, while violence has persisted in Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kuresoi, Molo, Eldoret, Kakamega, Busia, Kisumu, Ahero, Migori, Kericho, Kitale, Lugari and Homabay.
Meanwhile, violence continues unabated in several Nairobi estates, including Dandora, Mathare, Kariobangi, Kawangware and Kibera.
Police have cordoned off Uhuru Park. Nobody is allowed inside the park, including news reporters. The GSU and regular police are also stationed on all roads leading to the Kibera slums.
Nairobi city centre is deserted as several shops remain closed. There is heavy police presence and gun shots were heard in parts of the central business district shortly after 11am. In some areas, police are turning away pedestrians from entering the town.
In Kisumu, reporters counted 19 bodies with bullet wounds at the Nyanza Provincial General Hospital’s mortuary. Violence has rocked the lakeside city for the third day in a row.
Nation staff at the Kisumu Bureau offices spent the night in the office as it was unsafe to move around.
In Narok, residents woke up to find the open air market torched. Foodstuff worth thousands of shillings was destroyed and 50 stalls torched.
A truck was set ablaze and at least four people injured.
The Narok Divisional Police Commander Mr Patrick Wambani said that the injured were admitted to the Narok District Hospital.
Police have arrested two people who are being questioned at the Narok Police Station.
In Mombasa, it is chaos as looters continue to raid shops while police watch helplessly.
Dec 31st, 2007, 07:13 AM
#23
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http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2...violence_N.htm ... 103 dead so far ...
We'll be there soon (so long as the airport doesn't close) and I think we'll adjust slightly by flying instead of jeeping one day, but otherwise I figure we'll be OK with the Obama T-shirts for protection. Probably fewer tourists in the parks, hey?
I noticed that in one precint the vote tally was 115% of the actual number of registered voters so *something* was going on ... what do they think this is, Chicago or south Texas?
Bill
We'll be there soon (so long as the airport doesn't close) and I think we'll adjust slightly by flying instead of jeeping one day, but otherwise I figure we'll be OK with the Obama T-shirts for protection. Probably fewer tourists in the parks, hey?
I noticed that in one precint the vote tally was 115% of the actual number of registered voters so *something* was going on ... what do they think this is, Chicago or south Texas?
Bill
Dec 31st, 2007, 07:51 AM
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Bill, I'm with you (?) - I am traveling with a nervous mom in two weeks, and up until this morning, I had kept this riot news from her. She only watches the Today show on NBC. Wouldn't you know it, there it was on there top news stories this morn. Bless 'em for keeping up on world events, albeit delayed.
We're flying in on January 17th - staying near the airport, and then onto Arusha the next day. I'm not worried at all. I'm sure things will quiet down. We take our day tour of Nairobi on our way home, in February. If we have to alter plans, we will.
I hope for the sake of the people who live in Kenya that things calm down.
We're flying in on January 17th - staying near the airport, and then onto Arusha the next day. I'm not worried at all. I'm sure things will quiet down. We take our day tour of Nairobi on our way home, in February. If we have to alter plans, we will.
I hope for the sake of the people who live in Kenya that things calm down.
Dec 31st, 2007, 08:26 AM
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Dec 31st, 2007, 09:14 AM
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Although I am not scheduled to leave the states until January 14, Micato has telephoned with updates, and a number to call if I have concerns or questions. Lynda S et al: one more perk of going with them, I guess.
Jess
Jess
Dec 31st, 2007, 09:31 AM
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At this point, I am actually thinking about canceling the entire vacation. I spoke with CCAfrica and they seem like they are unwilling to return any money. They are calling for a second Orange Revolution on the 3rd...the day I leave. This is really bad. How on earth am I supposed to enjoy this vacation?
Dec 31st, 2007, 10:03 AM
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Andrea I feel your pain! I am scheduled to leave for Nairobi also but am lucky that I have an extra week and hope things will calm down.
My husband and I are scheduled for a Tauck tour that departs Arusha, Tanzania on 1/13/08 but our plan is (was??) to fly into Nairobi and spend 2 nights and 1 full day touring there before joining the tour. I listened to the experts here and booked a full fabulous day with Kennedy on 1/11/08-The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Ostrich & Crock Village, etc and just hope that it will all happen. We have 2 nights booked at the Hilton which is close to the neighborhood with the riots.
So far, Tauck has not made any changes but they don't get into Nairobi until 1/20, we do!
Andrea, I'll be thinking of you and wish you the best with your decision. I know how you feel!
Ilene
My husband and I are scheduled for a Tauck tour that departs Arusha, Tanzania on 1/13/08 but our plan is (was??) to fly into Nairobi and spend 2 nights and 1 full day touring there before joining the tour. I listened to the experts here and booked a full fabulous day with Kennedy on 1/11/08-The Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Ostrich & Crock Village, etc and just hope that it will all happen. We have 2 nights booked at the Hilton which is close to the neighborhood with the riots.
So far, Tauck has not made any changes but they don't get into Nairobi until 1/20, we do!
Andrea, I'll be thinking of you and wish you the best with your decision. I know how you feel!
Ilene
Dec 31st, 2007, 10:32 AM
#31
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Andrea -
Not surprising CCA won't refund. And, it doesn't seem that any of the tour operators are cancelling. It's apparent that visitors haven't been caught up in the riots and there are ways to get from point A to point B, more than likely not even confronting this sad and unfortunate situation.
You have the 1/nt at HOW, then out next morning. My guess, with arriving late and departing early, the rioters are unlikely to be active. And when you return from KGL, again, into NBO and out to the Mara where it will be quiet. Likewise, ZNZ will be quiet.
Not surprising CCA won't refund. And, it doesn't seem that any of the tour operators are cancelling. It's apparent that visitors haven't been caught up in the riots and there are ways to get from point A to point B, more than likely not even confronting this sad and unfortunate situation.
You have the 1/nt at HOW, then out next morning. My guess, with arriving late and departing early, the rioters are unlikely to be active. And when you return from KGL, again, into NBO and out to the Mara where it will be quiet. Likewise, ZNZ will be quiet.
Dec 31st, 2007, 10:59 AM
#32
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I spoke with my travel agent and they are seeing what they can do for me. My guess is that they will do something. I already heard that tourists are not leaving the airport in Mombassa and the FCO in the UK issued a travel warning. I told them they can put me in any other CCAfrica lodge. I don't care at this point. I am not going to NBO.
Dec 31st, 2007, 11:19 AM
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Kenya has been through several elections that were considered "rigged" without a civil war. They are one of the few African countries that have made peaceful transitions between leaders. Monitor the situation, but don't panic.
Dec 31st, 2007, 11:59 AM
#36
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Decisions have to be personal, but as of now:
- The airports are open, flights arriving/departing on schedule.
- There's police/security along airport roads, which is quite usual.
- Internal flights operating, but for KQ NBO/Kis/NBO.
- The game reserves are busy.
- Hotels are busy, with extra police/security; this too is not unusual.
- None of the operators have cancelled schedules programs.
- Riots are happening away from tourist areas.
- The airports are open, flights arriving/departing on schedule.
- There's police/security along airport roads, which is quite usual.
- Internal flights operating, but for KQ NBO/Kis/NBO.
- The game reserves are busy.
- Hotels are busy, with extra police/security; this too is not unusual.
- None of the operators have cancelled schedules programs.
- Riots are happening away from tourist areas.
Dec 31st, 2007, 12:06 PM
#37
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Hey Local...looks like we're on the same flight. I'm overnighting at the Fairview, I believe then on to Wilson.
Gosh, we need to figure out a way to spot each other while in AMS's airport awaiting our flight.
Shoot me an email if you get a chance.
Sandi-Thanks for the update on everything and checking on the situation.
Gosh, we need to figure out a way to spot each other while in AMS's airport awaiting our flight.
Shoot me an email if you get a chance.
Sandi-Thanks for the update on everything and checking on the situation.
Dec 31st, 2007, 02:41 PM
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Jess, keep me posted if you would about what Micato is saying? They are right there in Nairobi so they would be in a good position to know what it's like. If they decide to cancel for safety reasons, I would bet that they would give you a full credit for a future safari (just a guess on my part).
ICASH, don't cancel yet, check with Kennedy by email, he won't steer you wrong or endanger you. Both times we were with him, safety for us was his number one concern, twice he had to tell me to put the camera down when we were stopped at intersections and the window was open. He also tinted his windows black the first year for us as we were going to be going through some pretty rough areas at night (at my request) with him and he didn't want anyone to notice the 'tourists'. He will always have your safety in mind at all times and he will know whether you should come or not at that time.
ICASH, don't cancel yet, check with Kennedy by email, he won't steer you wrong or endanger you. Both times we were with him, safety for us was his number one concern, twice he had to tell me to put the camera down when we were stopped at intersections and the window was open. He also tinted his windows black the first year for us as we were going to be going through some pretty rough areas at night (at my request) with him and he didn't want anyone to notice the 'tourists'. He will always have your safety in mind at all times and he will know whether you should come or not at that time.
Dec 31st, 2007, 03:07 PM
#40
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The US Embassy in Nairobi says that internal flights are shut down and the international airport is open but the Uhuru highway to the airport is closed.
I hope we'll all have a better idea tomorrow morning and that tonight (it's 3 am in Kenya as I write this, 4 pm on the US west coast) was a better night for the people of Kenya than last night.
I'm scheduled to arrive there Feb 4th, glad that I delayed making my safari reservations, and very worried about my daughter's well being.
I hope we'll all have a better idea tomorrow morning and that tonight (it's 3 am in Kenya as I write this, 4 pm on the US west coast) was a better night for the people of Kenya than last night.
I'm scheduled to arrive there Feb 4th, glad that I delayed making my safari reservations, and very worried about my daughter's well being.
