Tribal tensions resurface in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya — Hundreds of young men armed with machetes cheered as a ruling party lawmaker called for attacks on opponents of a project to create part-time jobs for youths in his constituency.

Opposing such a program in a country where many are jobless might seem bizarre, along with the reason: Opponents suspected the jobs initiative was a cover for creating a militia. The hostile and threatening reaction might seem even more outrageous.

But they reflect long-simmering tribal tensions that are heating up again, eight years after they exploded into violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and more than 600,000 displaced. That fighting came in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election.

The threats of violence between opposition and government politicians and venomous exchanges by their supporters on social media have risen to such a level that the country’s chief justice and church leaders are warning that it is reminiscent of rhetoric that was a prelude to the 2007-8 violence.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga noted while presiding over a launch of a program that seeks to improve access to justice that “the drums of possible violence are being heard.”

A little over a week ago, an opposition politician told a crowd in a Nairobi slum that blood must be spilled for opposition leader Raila Odinga to become president in the 2017 election.