A spokesman for AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team issued the following report: 

This morning we woke up to the news that a newly elected Member of Parliament, Melitus Magabe Were, from the ODM Party had been killed at 12:30am outside of his gate in a nearby Nairobi neighborhood.  The motive and killers are still unknown.

As the morning went on, there were rumors of unrest around the city and many feared a violent backlash from ODM supporters.  The police engaged a crowd of protesters near the home of the murdered MP for some hours.  And in three large slums, including Kibera, there were reports of violence and running battles with security forces.   Many of the schools in Nairobi closed early to make sure that the children could return safely to their homes.  But in the end no major demonstrations materialized and the afternoon was quiet in most parts of the city.

The good news of the day was the official launch of the mediation agreement late this afternoon.  Koffi Annan and his team brought together the two opposition parties who officially agreed to a "road-map" which outlines the procedure that will be used to address the current political and security crises.  Details were not given, but both President Kibaki and Raila Odinga promised to pursue negotiations for the benefit of peace and the good of the country.  Koffi Annan said that the plan is designed to resolve the urgent short-term issues within four weeks and that the long-term issues will be addressed within one year.  There appeared to be a feeling of hope and determination to bring the senseless violence to an end.

In Western and Rift Valley Provinces, sporadic violence continued to erupt in various locations today.  Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Naivasha were reported to be calm, but tense, by the end of the day.  Illegal roadblocks between towns in these areas have temporarily halted transport of fuel, goods and people.  All of our missionaries in these areas are safe at their various locations.  But the inability to travel freely could become a problem if the security situation does not stabilize in the near future.

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