Families forced from their homes in central Kenya by tribal gangs are to be transported back to their ancestral homelands under a government plan to ease fears of further ethnic violence.

Convoys of buses are expected to begin leaving Nairobi today with Luo people who have been attacked by the Kikuyu tribe of President Kibaki.

Peace talks between opposition and government figures continued yesterday as the Kenya Red Cross announced that a thousand people had been killed since Mr Kibaki was sworn in at the end of December after disputed elections.

The violence began in the western Rift Valley, where tribes backing Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, attacked Kikuyus. Since then Luos have been driven out of towns and villages in the Kikuyu heartland of central Kenya during a series of revenge attacks. Aid workers say that more than 1,300 people — mostly Luos — arrived at the Jamhuri Showground in Nairobi during the weekend. They left their homes in Thika, about 30 miles (50 kilometres) northeast of the capital, after chilling leaflets were circulated by Kikuyu gangs. “Raila, hear it from the horse’s mouth. Seven days, if the clashes are not over, we declare war,” said one. Another promised that “200 heads” would be delivered if the Luos did not leave home.

John Omondi, 27, said that he would feel safe only once he was back in the Luo homeland around Lake Victoria in western Kenya. “We have a saying, east or west, home is the best,” he said. “That is where we want to be.”

For now they are living in makeshift shelters among the display rings and cowsheds of the showground. Charles Otieno, 25, said that he was saddened that neighbour had turned on neighbour. “I was born and brought up in Thika but we were told we had to pack and go just like that,” he said. “Anyone who hesitated, their home was burnt.”

The clashes have shocked many Kenyans, who believed that the country was an example of peace and harmony on a continent blighted by tribal strife. Although the violence has eased in many areas, families are taking no chances and are trying to travel back to tribal homelands.

Until yesterday the Government had said that there was no need for tribes to separate themselves. Yesterday it bowed to demands from opposition tribes wanting to travel west. Naomi Shaban, Special Programmes Minister, said: “The Government is aware of the plight facing the hundreds of displaced people and will ensure that the wishes of those who want to be repatriated will be fulfilled.”

The rival factions agreed on Monday to a series of measures designed to ease the humanitarian crisis, such as helping people return to their homes.

Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary-General, said that the talks were moving into tougher territory. “Today we are tackling the political issues and the controversial elections,” he said. “I hope we move as expeditiously as possible because we have no time.” Mr Annan has set a deadline of 15 days to solve the immediate political crisis caused by the disputed elections.

The urgency was underlined by the Kenya Red Cross, which said that 304,000 people had been displaced.

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