Kenyan government ministers today called the killing of members of the Kikuyu tribe in the Rift Valley acts of "genocide" organised by opposition leaders.
"It is becoming clear that these well-organised acts of genocide and ethnic cleansing were well-planned, financed and rehearsed by (Orange Democratic Movement) leaders prior to the general elections," said a statement read by Lands Minister Kivutha Kibwana on behalf of his colleagues.
Earlier today, President Mwai Kibaki's government accused ODM leader Raila Odinga of personal responsibility for an explosion of tribal violence over a disputed presidential poll that threatens to tear the country apart.
"It has been one-way all the way. It is basically Raila Odinga-led ethnic cleansing of the Kikuyu (tribe)," a government spokesman said as the death toll from four days of clashes in the East African country approached 300.
Supporters of Mr Odinga, who comes from the Luo tribe, have in turn made ethnic cleansing charges against Mr Kibaki, whose Kikuyu tribe has long dominated political and business life in Kenya, East Africa's biggest economy.
Western powers have called for calm and Britain has urged the African Union and Commonwealth to try to reconcile Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga whose parties accuse the other of vote-rigging during the December 27th election.
"There are independent reports of serious irregularities in the counting process," said British Foreign Minister David Miliband and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in a joint statement. They called for an end to violence and "an intensive political and legal process" to end the crisis.
The EU's observer mission said the poll had "fallen short of key international and regional standards for democratic elections".
The Department of Foreign Affairs has set up a special phone number (1800 242 548) for anyone concerned about Irish freinds or relatives who live or are visiting the country, though Minster for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern stressed there were no reports of Irish citizens affected by the recent outbreak of violence.
African Union chairman John Kufuor is due in Kenya today to begin efforts to soothe tensions.
President Kibaki today invited all members of the new opposition-dominated parliament to a meeting at State House in Nairobi, in an apparent attempt to soothe post-election tempers.
Young men armed with machetes manned roadblocks today, hours after about 30 Kikuyus were burned alive when a mob set fire to a church where they were hiding near the western town of Eldoret.
Western powers have warned citizens against visiting a popular tourist destination that was regarded as one of the most stable democracies on a volatile continent.
Mr Kibaki was sworn in on Sunday after official election results showed he had narrowly beaten Mr Odinga. The United States first congratulated Mr Kibaki on his victory, then switched to expressing "concerns about irregularities".