Kenyan athletes accused of organizing violence in political tribal clashes

Some of Kenya's best distance runners funded, organized and commanded tribal gangs involved in some of the worst violence in the country last month, according to witnesses in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. Two athletes died in clashes when Kalenjin youths used bows, arrows and machetes to drive out members of the Kikuyu tribe believed to be loyal to President Mwai Kibaki. In a report published on Feb. 21 researchers from the International Crisis Group say that wealthy Kenyan athletes have emerged as benefactors of tribal militia, taking over the role from traditional elders. François Grignon, the director of the group's Africa program, said: "We are very confident that they are part of the equation. They are a rising elite who see their leadership potential and economic prospects being curtailed by the fact that they are politically marginalized nationally." Athletics officials dismissed the allegations as rumors designed to further enflame tribal tensions. The Rift Valley is famous for producing elite middle and long-distance runners. The high altitude of Eldoret, at more than 6,500ft, and its cool temperatures make it ideal for training. The town has become a hub for Kenyan athletes who are drawn predominantly from the Kalenjin tribe. Coaches believe that the tribe is responsible for winning about 40 percent of top honors at world and Olympic level, from 800 meters to marathons, since 1980. The result is an investment boom as winnings are ploughed into farmland and real estate around the valley. The money has transformed sleepy, depressed villages and restored Kalenjin pride, which has taken a battering since Daniel arap Moi stepped down from the presidency. But the region is also home to members of the Kikuyu tribe of President Kibaki. Years of tension between the communities exploded after the disputed elections in December. Opposition supporters from the Kalenjin tribe began attacks against Kikuyus in violence described by Jendayi Frazer, the US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, as ethnic cleansing. In the worst episode more than 30 people sheltering inside a church were burnt to death. Athletes did not escape the killing. Wesley Ngetich, a 34-year-old marathon runner with two victories under his belt, died after being hit by an arrow. Lucas Sang, a 400 meter runner who competed in the 1988 Olympics, was stoned to death. The report from the International Crisis Group claims that he was commanding a Kalenjin gang at the time. "The athletes, most of whom have a military background, are reportedly also training and sometimes commanding the raiders," it said. Isaiah Kiplagat, the chairman of Athletics Kenya, said: "Athletes are a peace-loving people and have organised peace meetings. No athletes have been involved in any skirmishes and if there was any evidence they would have been arrested." More than 1,000 people have died in violence since President Kibaki was sworn in for a disputed second term of office. Calm was restored in the past fortnight when the political rivals engaged in negotiations that were mediated by Kofi Annan. But on Feb. 20 opposition leaders said that they would return to the streets if the government failed to start work on a new constitution, seen as the first step to a power-sharing arrangement. Anyang Nyongo, the secretary-general of the Orange Democratic Movement, said that his party would organise mass protests if Parliament was not convened within a week.