Nairobi - Kenyans largely ignored an
opposition call to strike on Monday, opening shops and returning
to work as they shrugged off demands for demonstrations against
President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election and against the killing
of protesters.
Vehicular traffic returned to the streets of the capital,
Nairobi, and the western town of Kisumu after days of quiet amid
fears of violence after last Tuesday's vote.
Kenyatta beat rival Raila Odinga by securing more than 54
percent of the vote, official results show.
A Kenyan human rights group said on Saturday that 24 people
had been shot dead by police since election day.
The government
put the number of dead at 10, and said they died "in the course
of quelling riots and unlawful assembly". All deaths would be
investigated, it added.
Allegations by Odinga of widespread electoral fraud have
raised tensions in the East African country, where some 1 200
people were killed and 600 000 displaced in widespread ethnic
violence after he lost a deeply flawed election in 2007.
Relief at the relatively muted protests this time around,
along with the re-election of a leader seen as pro-business and
pro-growth, helped the local stock market rise 2.5 percent on
Monday.
Shares have now climbed nearly 7 percent since the eve
of the Aug. 8 election.
In Kibera, Nairobi's biggest slum and an opposition
stronghold, many residents appeared to be observing the strike
but minibuses wove their way through the rubble-strewn streets,
and some food stalls and phone and money outlets had opened.
Ken Nabwere, a Nairobi resident, said he had little choice
but to return to work even though he supported the opposition
National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition which called the
strike.
"I was supposed to vote and (leave) the rest to the
politicians because if I was to boycott work today those guys
don’t pay my bills," he told Reuters. "I would advise others
that unless you have permission from your boss, then you better
go to work."
Kenya, a country of 45 million people, is East Africa's
economic heart.
International observers said the vote was
largely fair and a parallel tally by domestic monitors supported
results that showed Kenyatta had won by a margin of 1.4 million
votes.
But protests have erupted in areas of Nairobi and Kisumu,
where Odinga has strong support. The Kenya Red Cross said on
Monday it had treated 177 people since the election, 108 of whom
had serious injuries.
Kenyatta reiterated an appeal for the opposition to shun
violence and take any complaints to court.
"I truly believe there is no single Kenyan anywhere who
wants to see violence, looting and demonstrations that end up
destroying property," he said.
Kenyatta also urged police to exercise restraint.
China on Monday congratulated Kenyatta on winning the
election.
The White House on Monday also issued a statement of
congratulations on Kenyatta's re-election, but said it was
"troubled by reports that some demonstrations have turned
violent," and called on all Kenyans to reject violence.
Diplomats have piled pressure on Odinga to either concede or
take his challenge to court. The opposition has ruled out the
latter option and says it will announce its strategy on Tuesday.
"Whatever our leader will say tomorrow is what we will do,"
said Stephen Omondi, an opposition supporter in Nairobi's
Mathare slum, holding a picture of a friend shot dead by police.
"If he says go out, we will be on the streets. But if he says
stay home then we will."
In the capital's Kibera quarter, many were backing the
opposition's strike call.
"It's only a small portion of people who are working. People
need food and money," said 32-year-old community health
volunteer Thomas Ogoni.
A small group of young men lit a fire of tyres and planks at
a busy junction and danced round the flames.
Nearby, a dozen
women dressed in black and holding candles were sitting in the
middle of road in a small peace vigil.
In Kisumu, business activity had largely resumed, with some
supermarkets open and motorcycle taxi operators out and about.
Civil servants also returned to work.
Some opposition supporters said they remained determined to
overturn the result but, for many, the priority was earning some
money after days of inactivity.
"No work, no food," said Eric Wanjero, a motorcycle driver
looking for passengers. "Business is disrupted still but I had
to go out (today) and try to make my living."