The Sexual Violence Rate in Kenya has Drastically Risen, Leaving Women to Bear the Brunt of Recent Instability

For one month now, post-election clashes in Kenya have brought with them violence and mayhem.  Even as mediation continues, the death toll in the once-stable African nation has soared to more than 800.

The United Nations Refugee Agency, or UNHCR, gave a briefing on the status of the rapidly-increasingly number of Internally Displaced People in Kenya.

(Sound Clip) IDP

UNHCR Spokesperson Ron Redman said they have been successful in moving Kenyan refugees who have fled to Uganda.

(Sound Clip) Uganda Transfer

In the midst of this violence, many Kenyan women are suffering a double tragedy. Women form a major portion of the three hundred thousand who have been displaced from their homes. The Nairobi Women's Hospital has treated 202 rape victims since the disputed national elections on December 27th.

More protests and fighting erupted today after the murder of a popular opposition Member of Parliament.  The alleged assassination has posed a major threat, not just to the mediation, but also to Kenyan women.  Correspondent John Bwakali reports from Nairobi.