Kenya's middle class watches turmoil in anguish

By Barry Moody

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Far from the burning slums of Nairobi and ethnic massacres in the Rift Valley, Kenya's middle class is watching in anguish and anger as hopes of democratic progress are dashed.

Whether they voted for President Mwai Kibaki or his challenger Raila Odinga in the disputed December 27 election, many Nairobi professionals share contempt for the politicians and horror at how swiftly Kenya lost its reputation as stable regional anchor.

"We have gone from being the country that brokered peace in eastern Africa to needing international mediation in the space of a week. It makes absolutely no sense," said personnel manager Gladys Njeru, returning to work after violence subsided.

Middle class Kenyans, who flourished in an economic boom during Kibaki's first term, largely spent much of the crisis sheltering at home, stunned by televised images of the violence.

Accountant Maria Asiema said: "I am absolutely heartbroken. I always had so much faith in my country. This was the greatest chance to get it united".

Kenyans had seen the December 27 poll as a chance to take another step forward after elections in 2002 seen as a democratic dawn following 24 years of oppression and corruption under President Daniel arap Moi.

A broad "rainbow" coalition brought Mwai Kibaki to power.

But those hopes evaporated after Kibaki's disputed re-election in December, with most Kenyans and international observers believing there was widespread rigging on both sides.