When the largest slum in Kenya turned into a battlefield

By Harold Ayodo

Kibera slums exploded into violence immediately President Kibaki was announced winner of the 2007 elections.

Chaos were initially spontaneous at the largest informal settlement in Kenya before it erupted into an all out protest.

Residents battled police as neighbours descended on each other while Chief Justice Evan Gicheru swore Kibaki at State House.

Tempers flared at the slum as the national broadcaster relayed clips of Kibaki taking the oath of office that Sunday evening.

Kibaki took the oath of office less than an hour after the results were announced and simultaneously smoke started billowing from Kibera.

The slum dwellers battled GSU police officers claiming their MP, Raila Odinga, had been robbed of victory.

Several mud-walled houses and shacks belonging to or occupied by members of certain communities were set ablaze.

Looting of business premises including the expansive Toi market, commenced.

Police officers lobbed teargas canisters and fired several shots in the air as demonstrators retaliated.

Several youths used slings to throw stones at the law enforcers, as others lit bonfires in narrow alleys within the slum.

The skirmishes extended from days to months as some residents were shot dead, others maimed and some have never been accounted for.

Residents recall that the violence took a twist after women were gang-raped by men they could not identify.

Hooded men allegedly defiled girls and infected many with sexually transmitted diseases.

The height of the violence was when residents uprooted the railway line and police moved in, shooting several people and killing more than five on the spot.

Some pictures taken on that day are too gory to be published

Kibera remained the epicentre of the violence until calm returned to the country.