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Kenya opposition Cord protests turn deadly in Kisumu | Kenya opposition Cord protests turn deadly in Kisumu |
(35 minutes later) | |
At least two protesters have died and five have been injured after Kenyan police opened fire to disperse crowds in the western city of Kisumu, a local reporter has told the BBC. | |
The police have not commented. | The police have not commented. |
The opposition has been holding weekly demonstrations against the electoral commission, which it says is biased. | The opposition has been holding weekly demonstrations against the electoral commission, which it says is biased. |
Nairobi's police chief had warned opposition supporters not to take part in Monday's protest in the Kenyan capital "if you value your life". | Nairobi's police chief had warned opposition supporters not to take part in Monday's protest in the Kenyan capital "if you value your life". |
Officers shot dead three people in similar protests in May. They said they were acting in self-defence. | |
Africa Live: More on this and other news stories | Africa Live: More on this and other news stories |
Journalist Richard Omondi says he has confirmed the latest fatalities with the authorities at the Kisumu hospital where the injured were taken. | |
A bullet has also been removed from the body of a five-year-old boy, who survived the injury. | |
Omondi told the BBC that protesters had earlier blocked roads with burning tyres and were heading to the electoral commission's offices when police intervened. | |
They used tear gas followed by live bullets to disperse the demonstrators. | |
The opposition protest in Nairobi passed off peacefully, the BBC's Anne Soy reported from the city. | |
She said protesters passed the headquarters of the electoral commission but there was no attempt to enter the building, after marshals from the opposition formed a cordon around it. | |
Last month, there were complaints of police brutality as officers were pictured assaulting demonstrators in Nairobi. | Last month, there were complaints of police brutality as officers were pictured assaulting demonstrators in Nairobi. |
On Sunday, Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome said police were prepared to use lethal force if necessary, after a Kenyan court had ruled the planned protests illegal. | On Sunday, Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome said police were prepared to use lethal force if necessary, after a Kenyan court had ruled the planned protests illegal. |
The ruling was overturned on Monday morning by judge Joseph Onguto, who said the opposition Cord alliance had the right to picket. | The ruling was overturned on Monday morning by judge Joseph Onguto, who said the opposition Cord alliance had the right to picket. |
Cord, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, wants members of the electoral commission to resign ahead of next year's presidential election. | |
It says the commission is biased in favour of the governing Jubilee coalition and wants it replaced by a neutral body. | It says the commission is biased in favour of the governing Jubilee coalition and wants it replaced by a neutral body. |