Rival Tribes Clash with Machetes. Opposition Announce New Strategy.

18 Jan 2008 CNN

Anti-Kibaki demonstrators in Nairobi face fire tear rounds.

Clashes between rival tribes armed with machetes and bows and arrows on 18 Jan marked the third successive day of opposition protests over Kenya's disputed presidential election. With more than 22 people killed since the 16 Jan, the opposition announced a new strategy of economic boycotts and strikes to ratchet up pressure. ODM Opposition spokesman Salim Lone said Odinga would call for a "boycott of companies owned by hard-liners who are around Mr. Kibaki," including one of Kenya's biggest banks, a prominent bus company and a major dairy producer. Lone also said they would work with unions "to organize strikes in selected industries."

Presidents Kibaki's power has become more entrenched and he appears unlikely to accept demands he step down. The opposition's best hope may rest in wrangling a power-sharing agreement that might make Odinga prime minister or vice president.

A few dozen miles from Kenya's famed Masai Mara game reserve in Narok, Masai fighters and men from Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe battled for hours with machetes, clubs, swords and bows and arrows. Five people were killed and 25 wounded and homes and shops were set ablaze.

Police opened fire on protesters in Nairobi's Kibera slum, killing six people and wounding at least 10. A blood-smeared pickup truck carried the bodies of a 15-year-old girl and a young man killed there, along with wailing relatives. "They killed my daughter. Kibaki must die," a woman screamed. She said her daughter was washing utensils on her doorstep when police opened fire and she was hit.

Skirmishes between police and thousands of demonstrators left one person dead in Mombasa. Kenya Red Cross official Abdallah Athman said the young man killed "was running away from the police when he was shot in the back and the bullet went through his chest."