Tens of thousands of people fled Nairobi's largest slum in fear of their lives yesterday following rent riots which have left at least 12 people dead and dozens more injured.
There were sporadic clashes between rival ethnic gangs in Kibera, home to an estimated one million people. Slum dwellers flooded out during the day, many carrying mattresses and other possessions on their heads.
The violence was sparked on Monday night after a local MP and government minister, Mr Raila Odinga, told slum dwellers to stop paying rent until a long-running dispute was solved.
Violent clashes ensued on Tuesday between the Nubians, a tribe which collects rent on mud huts at the centre of the dispute, and the Luo, who are mostly tenants. Many of the dead had limbs hacked off with machetes.
Police attempted to quell the riot using teargas and live rounds, and 57 people were arrested. By late afternoon gangs of young men were wandering the empty alleyways, waiting for darkness.
Mr Kaska Ambaka, a gardener, broke his glasses on Monday night but said he was ready to fight again. "We want to burn the Nubians' houses, only that," he said.
