Over the Christmas period we have witnessed violent scenes of demonstration in small areas of Kenya following the re-election as president of Mwai Kibaki, The Party National Unity (PNU) leader.

Over 250 people have been reportedly killed in violent clashes, mainly in the western provinces and Rift Valley but particularly around Mwai Kibaki’s hometown of Kikuyu.

There have also been violent clashes in the large slum area of Kibera in Nairobi, a political stronghold of the opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), with reports of three confirmed deaths so far.

co2balance does not operate in these areas; most of our operations are based in the Eastern parts of the country which are inherently more stable and have only seen minor demonstrations. Those areas in and around Nairobi that we do operate in are not in areas of reported violence.  Our offset projects are therefore unaffected by these events.

We have been in constant contact with our staff in Kenya and we are relieved to say that they are all well and have not been affected by the demonstrations. In order to protect their safety we have suspended field activities in Kenya for the short term, however our offices there have re-opened today.

We condemn violent protest of any kind and hope that through international mediation and support a peaceful, political solution can be established quickly and effectively.

Our thoughts are with the families that have lost loved ones in the clashes.