Magic Statistics

Yesterday the chief election monitor from the EU said Kenya's election tally was “flawed” and “lacked credibility”.   Today, Electoral Commission chairman Samuel Kivuitu admitted that he certified the results under duress.

The magnitude of the Electoral Commission chairman's admission and the further dent on the credibility of the election was captured in his answer when asked if indeed President Kibaki won the elections: "I do not know whether Kibaki won the election".

Kivuitu continued with his stunning revelations when he said he took the presidential election winner's certificate to State House, Nairobi, after "some people threatened to collect it while I'm the one mandated by law to do so".

Mr Kivuitu said the election must be taken before the courts for a swift adjudication.

Previous related post: Mob violence in Kenya following disputed election

Ethnic violence is spreading and escalating after Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki was declared re-elected and sworn in following a vote he is widely suspected of rigging.  Supporters of the leading opposition candidate Raila Odinga are rioting across wide areas of western Kenya.  Over a hundred people are dead and tens of thousands have fled their homes in search of safe havens.

Earlier today a mob torched a church in Eldoret, western Kenya, where members of Pres Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe had sought refuge after their homes were set afire.

Dozens are feared dead after rowdy protesters attacked a church and set it ablaze in Eldoret, as violence continues unabated following the disputed presidential election.

Police have confirmed the number of the dead to be between 35 and 40 women and children.

It is being reported that Eldoret is in complete chaos.  “Shops being looted.  Murder and rape in broad daylight.”

Violence is spreading through the country. The slums of Nairobi are aflame.  Refugees are fleeing into Uganda from western Kenya. In parts of western Kenya, essential commodities, including food, fuel and safe drinking water, are in short supply.  Shortages of fuel and groceries have also arisen in south-east Kenya.

The Red Cross says the country is in the midst of a humanitarian “national disaster”.

Latest reports say that about 250 people have died thus far in Kenya’s post-election turmoil.

Kenya has hitherto been one of the most stable and prosperous democracies in Africa.

UPDATE (1 Jan.): Kenya's Electoral Commission chairman admits he doesn't know who won the election. 

The collect for today, the Circumcision of Christ, from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty God, who madest thy blessed Son to be circumcised, and obedient to the law for man; Grant us the true Circumcision of the Spirit; that, our hearts, and all our members, being mortified from all worldly and carnal lusts, we may in all things obey thy blessed will; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Epistle: Romans 4:8-14
The Gospel: St Luke 2:15-21

Artwork: Andrea Mantegna, The Portinari Altarpiece: Circumcision of Christ, c. 1463-70, Tempera on wood, Galleria degli Uffizi , Florence.