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U.S. Warns Kenya Of Possible Sanctions

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By KATY POWNALL, The Associated Press

Published: February 17, 2008

PORT VICTORIA, Kenya - The top U.S. official for Africa warned Saturday that Washington is considering targeted sanctions against those standing in the way of a power-sharing deal to end the political and ethnic violence.

More than 1,000 people have died in clashes that erupted after the disputed December presidential vote. Negotiations have failed to yield an agreement to end the warfare between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki, who claimed victory by a narrow margin, and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who alleges fraud.

President Bush said he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to meet with Kenya's leaders Monday.

Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, warned that Washington is considering targeted sanctions against those blocking a peace deal. "Individuals who are seen as obstructing the effort towards a peace process, a power sharing agreement, ... will be subject to possible further sanction by the U.S.," she said Saturday en route to Benin, where Bush starts his African nations tour.

In Port Victoria on Saturday, Odinga promised mourners at the funeral of slain opposition lawmaker Melitus Mugabe Were that "we will win through the talks."

Were, a Luhya tribe member, was shot in the head last month. Like many Luhya, he backed Odinga. Many Kikuyu tribe members support Kibaki.

"We want all tribes to work together to make Kenya strong for tomorrow. All those who have died since the vote was stolen - their blood is on Mr. Kibaki's hands," Odinga said.

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