Kenya crisis quelled?

On Feb. 8, the Department of State warned that while much of the widespread civil unrest, demonstrations and looting that affected Kenya following the disputed Dec. 27 presidential election had subsided, the potential for spontaneous violence remained.

Travelers were urged to defer all travel to Rift Valley, Western and Nyanza provinces, where road travel remained unsafe. And with sporadic illegal roadblocks by criminal elements, travel might be possible only with police- or military-escorted convoys. In addition, Kenya has a high incidence of crime and is potentially susceptible to terrorist attacks.

On Feb. 28 there was new hope as a power-sharing agreement was signed between President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, with Odinga expected to become prime minister. Appointing a cabinet with regional balance would be the next task.