Violence Follows Kenya Peace Plan

2 February 2008 BBC

Firemen work to extinguish a fire at a Pentecostal church which was set ablaze in Eldoret, Kenya

More than 20 people have died in fresh violence in western Kenya, since Friday's agreement by government and opposition on a framework peace plan.

Some were killed by police, others were hacked to death by gangs or shot with poisoned arrows.

A Pentecostal Church was burnt down by youths near the Rift Valley town of Eldoret.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said the rival parties had agreed a four-point framework for talks which should end the violence within the next two weeks. But so far there is little sign that Mr Annan's optimism is having much effect in the streets. Further clashes were reported in the western Nyanza province and in Anaimoi. In Kericho itself, mobs set fire to slum dwellings inhabited by members of the Kikuyu tribe. Near Eldoret, youths set fire to the Great Harvest Evangelical Church. Two people inside at the time are thought to have escaped.