Archbishop Desmond Tutu began meeting with Kenyan politicians, including opposition leader Raila Odinga, on Jan. 3 as unrest continued after last weekend’s disputed presidential election.

 

Peace talks with Archbishop Tutu began in hopes of ending the violence that has resulted in more than 300 deaths and an estimated 75,000 people displaced, according to the Kenyan government. Early in the week, a mob burned down an evangelical church where about 50 persons had sought sanctuary. 

 

“We’ve come to express our solidarity with the people of Kenya, to express our sympathy at the carnage that has happened, hoping that we will be able to encourage the leadership to take action that would stop that carnage,” Archbishop Tutu said, according to CNN.

 

Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi, Primate of the Anglican Church of Kenya, has issued an appeal to local churches in Kenya and others worldwide to contribute funds to buy food, clothes, medicine and treatment for those who have been injured.

 

“Trouble has occurred all over, mainly in the Rift Valley in Elodoret and Kitale, but also in Nakuru, Kisumu and in Mombasa in the East and among tribes who have not been involved in the main struggle,” Archbishop Nzimbi said. “The struggle has been at a higher spiritual level as well.”

 

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