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New efforts to tackle the worsening humanitarian situation in Kenya are to begin soon with a UN shipment of food. The 666 tonnes on trucks from the port of Mombasa will try to tackle shortages caused by post-election violence.

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New efforts to tackle the worsening humanitarian situation in Kenya are to begin soon with a UN shipment of food.

The 666 tonnes on trucks from the port of Mombasa will try to tackle shortages caused by post-election violence.

President Mwai Kibaki, who won polls the opposition says were rigged, has said he is willing to form a government of national unity to ease the crisis.

Diplomatic moves are being stepped up, with planned mediation by a US envoy and the African Union chairman.

More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections.

Wider region

The UN World Food Programme shipment on 20 trucks should be able to feed 35,000 people for a month.

The BBC’s Peter Greste in Mombasa says that after a week of violence, food, fuel and basic commodities are in critically short supply across East Africa.

The UN shipment will split its aid between the troubled town of Eldoret and the capital, Nairobi.

Our correspondent says the restoration of truck movements halted by the violence is essential not just for Kenya but the wider region as Kenya is the distribution hub for malnourished countries like Somalia, Sudan, the eastern Congo and Uganda.

Next week it is hoped armed escorts can be provided for truck movements.

British charity Merlin has warned of a looming health crisis in Kenya.

Country director Wubeshet Woldermariam said food and water supplies were “running dangerously low”.

“If peace isn’t restored within the next few days, disease outbreaks and severe dehydration are very real threats.”

Displaced

Diplomatic efforts to resolve the electoral row will be stepped up on Sunday when US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer meets the rival politicians.

Next week, the President of Ghana, John Kufuor, also the African Union chairman, will visit Kenya to try to mediate.

His mediation was initially rejected by Mr Kibaki but the president has now agreed to the visit.

Mr Kibaki has said he is willing to form a government of national unity.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga indicated he was willing to negotiate, but reiterated his view that Mr Kibaki should step down.

The BBC’s Adam Mynott says if the pair do sit down together for talks they will start from very different positions, but that even a willingness to talk is a sign of progress.

Tens of thousands of Kenyans have been displaced by the violence.

In the latest clashes, several houses were set on fire in Nairobi’s Mathare slum district, the Associated Press news agency reported, adding that one man had been shot dead by police.

And the BBC’s Grant Ferrett in the western city of Kisumu says hundreds of ethnic Kikuyus were being forced to leave on buses after being targeted by opposition supporters who accused them of backing President Kibaki.

Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963.

Mr Kibaki depends for support on the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who seek greater autonomy - back Mr Odinga.bbc

, Voice of a Nation

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