In a political crisis, whether in a developed or developing country, the first victims usually are women and children. And the situation in Kenya is absolutely desperate. This morning, I heard that at least 600 women have reported been raped since the fradulent election there a few weeks back. That's up from 140 just a week ago. The oldest victim is 58. The youngest -- just one.
And bear in mind, those are the reported cases. Imagine the thousands of others unreported because of shame or "tradition" or intimidation. If there's an explosion of HIV and Hepatitis C in the next few months and years, it will be traced back to the election.
At this point I really don't care who won or lost, whether the election was fake or not. Both of the country's leaders have women's blood on their hands. Canada, the Commonwealth, NATO -- all countries -- should impose an indefinite travel ban on both Raila Odinga and Mwai Kibaki. All known tribal leaders ordering this war against women should also be banned and added to the growing lists of wanted terrorists, along with Odinga and Kibaki. They do not deserve our hospitality, period.
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