BRITISH PRIME MINISTER RESPONDS

FROM BBC AFRICA

Gordon Brown has contacted Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga to express his concern about violence in the country.

The prime minister urged both to work for “unity and reconciliation” after at least 100 people died in clashes over a disputed presidential election.

The Foreign Office has advised against all but essential travel to parts of Kenya, including Nairobi city centre.

About 7,000 Britons are currently in Kenya, most of them on holiday.

Mr Kibaki was officially re-elected president in the election, but Mr Odinga says he was robbed of victory by voting fraud.

A statement from Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to both men by telephone on Monday.

“With both he expressed the UK’s concerns about the conduct of the Kenyan elections, but strongly urged both to work for unity and reconciliation.

“All sides should exercise and work for a solution that reflects the will of the Kenyan people.”

‘Very terrifying’

Meanwhile, two British government ministers said they were “appalled” by the violence.

In a joint statement, Foreign Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “We call on those involved, including government security forces and political party supporters, to behave responsibly, to act within the law, and to address their grievances peacefully.”

They added that they had serious concerns over the elections and vote counting, and urged Kenya’s political leaders to “enter a process of dialogue”.

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