Senator Obama's Uncle Trapped by Kenya Strife
KISUMU, Kenya — Senator Obama's uncle has been a prisoner in his own home, trapped by post-election violence that has left more than 600 Kenyans dead.
Said Obama lives in this western city, near a slum that has been a flashpoint for violence. Police shot and killed four people here Wednesday while trying to prevent thousands of rowdy protesters from entering the city center. "Yesterday, I was confined to my house, it was just too dangerous to go out," Mr. Obama said. "I could hear bullets around the place so I stayed put and listened to the radio for news."
Most of Barack Obama's other relatives in Kenya, including his 86-year-old grandmother, Sarah, live in a rural area nearby that has been unaffected by the violence. Yesterday, Mr. Obama went with the Associated Press on a drive around the city nestled on the banks of Lake Victoria. Kisumu is a stronghold of an opposition, leader, Raila Odinga, who accuses President Kibaki of stealing December 27 elections with a vote tally that local and international observers say was rigged. Mr. Odinga called three days of protests across the country beginning Wednesday.
"These days you have to be scared because you don't know what will happen next," Mr. Obama said as the car drove past a roadblock of burning tires set up by protesters.
The streets were largely deserted yesterday, and small groups of would-be protesters dispersed rapidly at a wave of a police baton. Police with guns and batons patrolled the streets.
After election results were announced last month, enraged protesters torched buildings and looted shops. Police opened fire in Ksumu; hospital records show 44 people were shot and killed.
"In a situation where police are shooting indiscriminately, no one is safe on the street. I've never seen such a thing in Kenya since I was born," the 41-year-old Mr. Obama said.
"It really hurts me to see so much destruction," he said, glancing at the charred remains of one of the largest supermarkets.
Mr. Obama said he supports peaceful protests.
