Kenya's opposition leader signaled he is willing to share power with the government he accuses of rigging elections, but at the same time called for mass rallies -- a move that threatens renewed violence.
Weary Kenyans, some hungry and homeless after a week of violence marked by ethnic clashes, prayed for peace on Sunday and begged their leaders to break the political deadlock.
"This fighting is meaningless," said Eliakim Omondi, 17, at a Lutheran church in Nairobi's Kibera slum that was torched last week. "I wish they would just talk and square everything so the fighting will stop."
Pastor Dennis Meeker urged congregants kneeling before a charred cross to "be with those who tried to kill you and destroy you."
A woman dropped to the floor screaming "Forgive the people who attacked our church!"
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who claims incumbent President Mwai Kibaki stole the vote, told reporters on Sunday he was ready to talk about sharing power, but only through a mediator empowered to negotiate an agreement that the international community would guarantee.
He welcomed the imminent arrival of Ghana President John Kufuor, chairman of the African Union, who is expected in Nairobi by today.
Jendayi Frazer, the leading US diplomat in Africa, was in Nairobi talking to both Kibaki and Odinga, whom the US, Britain and the EU have urged to negotiate. The East African nation is considered an ally in the fight against terrorism, and the explosion of violence has damaged its image as a stable democracy and attraction for millions of tourists in a region plagued by wars, uprisings and civil unrest.
Thousands of tourists have canceled vacations at the beginning of the high season.
"Hotels have been projecting an occupancy of 80-90 percent of capacity. But today, as we speak, that has dropped down to less than 40 percent. That's a huge loss for the economy," said Mohammed Hersi, general manager of Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa.
Schools were to reopen after the holidays yesterday, but the government postponed that for a week. Many are being used by refugees.
More than 300 people have died and 250,000 have been forced from their homes in the upheaval over the disputed vote, only the second free election since Kenya's 1963 independence from Britain.
The troubles eased over the weekend, although there have been isolated machete fights and ethnic attacks, and police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the coastal town of Mombasa.
But more clashes are likely if Odinga presses ahead with his call for supporters to rally today in defiance of a government ban. Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said any such demonstrations would be illegal.
"If there is any bloodshed during these rallies it will be the government's responsibility," Odinga told reporters.
Attempts to hold opposition rallies last week were blocked by police who fired tear gas, water cannons and live bullets over people's heads. Human rights groups accused police of excessive force.
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