Kenya losing billions daily in wake of crisis

By Manelisi Dubase
Experts observing the political situation in Kenya say the country has already lost 3% of its GDP since the disputed election last month, and it continues to loose 10 billion shillings everyday.

Experts are warning that if the situation continues, Kenya will not be able to sustain the economic damage.

American think-tanks, the World Food Programme (WFP) and analysts from the University of Cape Town's Centre for Conflict Resolution, were examining the humanitarian situation and economic losses in Kenya. They say under the present circumstances, things could get out of control.

More violence
"I think we are in for probably escalating violence in the next two to three weeks and I see absolutely no sign of the government shifting its position in terms of violence," said David Throup, from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.

Fears were raised by another postponement of peace negotiations that were supposed to have been jump-started by former UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan.
Kenyans in the diaspora are particularly worried about the humanitarian situation.

"We know there are lots of displaced Kenyans now. The figure stands at 250 000 and what we're doing is sending money home in the spirit of the Kenyan haramba… (we are) getting all Kenyans abroad together to start a kitty that will go to either to the Red Cross, or churches in Kenya or directly to families in need," said Mkawasi Mcharo, from the Kenyan Community Abroad.

Humanitarian goods
The WFP says the port in Mombasa is extremely congested. It takes more than a month to clear humanitarian relief goods, something they say is exacerbating the crisis.

The US government is now losing its patience and urging both parties to resolve the situation as soon as possible. The European Union parliament is already proposing a freeze of aid to Kenya.