In Kenya, police fired bullets, tear gas and water cannons today at a rally against last month’s disputed reelection of President Mwai Kibaki. More than 300 people have been killed and 75,000 displaced in what has been described as Kenya’s worst violence since 1982. Kibaki beat out main challenger Raila Odinga despite initial results showing Odinga well ahead. William Ruto of Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movemenent accused the Kenyan president of deliberate attacks on the opposition.

William Ruto: “The popular rejection of the fraudulent results by the people of Kenya has been met with extreme brutality by the police, with over a thousand people shot by the police. The mayhem has deteriorated into anarchy, destruction of property, wanton and unnecessary killings bordering on genocide. The government has in the meantime taken a wait-and-see attitude.”

The Kenyan government has in turn accused Odinga’s party of causing the unrest. Kenyan Land Minister Kuvutha Kibwana said government opponents are promoting genocide.

Kuvutha Kibwana: “The alleged irregularities in the presidential elections cannot under any circumstances be used to justify these crimes against humanity. Increasingly, it is becoming clear that these well-organized acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing were well planned, financed and rehearsed by ODM leaders prior to the general elections. The post-election impasse is just an excuse for unleashing these criminal pogroms on our country.”