NAIROBI (AFP) — The top US Africa envoy was Monday to push for consensus between Kenyan leaders on a final bid to end a crisis that has killed hundreds and displaced hundreds of thousands, a day before a massive opposition rally.
More than 370 people died in violence linked to the December 27 poll and aid groups warned of a humanitarian crisis after the displacement of some 250,000 people, particularly in the west of the country and the capital's slums.
US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer was to contact feuding President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga's camps in a bid to unblock the stalemate. South African Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu was also taking part in the negotiations.
A British embassy official said London had mounted a "behind the scene" push for a political deal in its former colony.
The government on Sunday said it had deployed envoys in African nations to seek backing in the crisis that has shattered stability in the country known for stability in a region blighted by conflicts.
"We have sent envoys to African countries with a special message to leaders that presents a clear picture of the political and security situation in the country," government spokesman Alfred Mutua told AFP.
Odinga, who claims Kibaki rigged the election and has called for his resignation, has rejected an offer for a unity cabinet from Kibaki.
Kibaki on Saturday proposed a unity government "would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process."
But Odinga and his opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) dismissed the offer as a whitewash.
"We are not interested in Kibaki's solution to this problem. He has nothing to offer because he did not win these elections.
"I should be the one offering him the option of a coalition. We are not power-hungry... we want a properly negotiated settlement that will give a lasting solution to this problem," he said.
ODM-Kenya leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who finished third in the polls, pressed for dialogue saying he was ready to meet Kibaki and Odinga to end the stand-off.
African Union head and Ghana President John Kufuor is expected in Kenya this week to talk the rivals out of the political stalemate, said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, but Mutua said his arrival was aimed at supporting Kibaki.
Deputy Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula, meanwhile, travelled to Ghana on Saturday to explain "the political and electoral situation in the country and that we are able to deal with criminals" to Kufuor, Mutua added.
Poll monitors have said the vote-count was rife with irregularities with both sides trading accusations of blatant rigging.
The electoral board nevertheless declared Kibaki the winner, unleashing a wave of nationwide riots that quickly devolved into deadly tribal vendettas, notably between Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe and Odinga's Luo.
At least 371 people have been killed in poll-related violence since election day, according to a tally compiled by AFP from hospitals, police and mortuaries.
Odinga's camp plans to hold a nationwide demonstration on Tuesday over alleged vote-rigging, nearly a week after police blocked an initial rally, but police warned the event was illegal.
The UN estimates the chaos has displaced some 250,000 Kenyans, including some 100,000 who need immediate help in the western Rift Valley region, scene of some of the worst fighting.
Aid groups warned of a health emergency in makeshift camps in schools, hospitals and churches in the area, most of which were still out of reach owing to their inaccessibility or safety concerns.
"Food and clean water supplies are now running dangerously low, especially in and around (the western city of) Kisumu," said British charity Merlin's Country Director in Kenya Wubeshet Woldermariam.
The World Food Programme said that a first escorted convoy of food left Mombasa Sunday, carrying some 670 tonnes of food towards Nairobi and Eldoret.
Schools were due to open on Monday, but the government delayed this for a week as most were displaced and school buildings offered camp for tens of thousands.
Washington considers Kenya a key ally and a beacon of stability in the restive region and Frazer was expected to pursue consultations until Monday to try to break the deadlock.
Meanwhile police offered security to oil tankers that were taking fuel to neighbouring countries in a bid to end shortages in Uganda, Burundi, Rwanda and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
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