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Kenya Cord alliance protests turn deadly | |
(about 17 hours later) | |
At least three people have died in western Kenya during opposition protests calling for electoral reforms, police say. | |
Their statement said police in Siaya shot dead two people in self-defence. | |
A third man in Kisumu died from a head injury after falling over while running from tear gas, reports AFP news agency. | |
Last week, there were complaints of police brutality as officers were pictured assaulting demonstrators in the capital, Nairobi. | Last week, there were complaints of police brutality as officers were pictured assaulting demonstrators in the capital, Nairobi. |
This is the fourth week of protests over the electoral commission. | This is the fourth week of protests over the electoral commission. |
The opposition Cord alliance wants the current members of the electoral commission to resign ahead of next year's presidential election. | The opposition Cord alliance wants the current members of the electoral commission to resign ahead of next year's presidential election. |
Cord is complaining that they are biased in favour of the governing Jubilee coalition and want it replaced by a neutral body, the BBC's Anne Soy reports from Nairobi. | Cord is complaining that they are biased in favour of the governing Jubilee coalition and want it replaced by a neutral body, the BBC's Anne Soy reports from Nairobi. |
Deputy President William Ruto told the BBC's Focus on Africa TV that Monday's protests were illegal, on the basis that police were not given adequate warning. | Deputy President William Ruto told the BBC's Focus on Africa TV that Monday's protests were illegal, on the basis that police were not given adequate warning. |
"Peaceful protests are safeguarded and provided for by the constitution," he added. | "Peaceful protests are safeguarded and provided for by the constitution," he added. |
Mr Ruto also said that police who were caught on camera beating protesters last Monday, sparking a public outcry over the alleged brutality, "will be brought to book". | Mr Ruto also said that police who were caught on camera beating protesters last Monday, sparking a public outcry over the alleged brutality, "will be brought to book". |
Those who "jeopardised the rights of other Kenyans will face the full force of the law," he said. | Those who "jeopardised the rights of other Kenyans will face the full force of the law," he said. |
A police investigation into the officers' behaviour is ongoing. | A police investigation into the officers' behaviour is ongoing. |
Several other places have been caught up in the demonstrations including the coastal city of Mombasa, where police fired tear gas to prevent protesters from gathering. | Several other places have been caught up in the demonstrations including the coastal city of Mombasa, where police fired tear gas to prevent protesters from gathering. |
In Nairobi, there was a heavy police presence to stop people joining the demonstrations. | In Nairobi, there was a heavy police presence to stop people joining the demonstrations. |
The opposition says that one of its senators leading protests in the western town of Kakamega has been arrested. | The opposition says that one of its senators leading protests in the western town of Kakamega has been arrested. |
Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that if the opposition wanted changes at the electoral commission, they should use constitutional procedures to achieve this. | Last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that if the opposition wanted changes at the electoral commission, they should use constitutional procedures to achieve this. |
He "urged the opposition to exercise mature... politics instead of using illegal means to attract undue attention", according to a government statement. | He "urged the opposition to exercise mature... politics instead of using illegal means to attract undue attention", according to a government statement. |