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Kenyan MPs gather for stand-off Kenyan MPs gather for stand-off
(10 minutes later)
Kenyan MPs are gathering in parliament for the first time since disputed elections, amid fears of clashes between government and opposition.Kenyan MPs are gathering in parliament for the first time since disputed elections, amid fears of clashes between government and opposition.
Tight security is in force in the capital, Nairobi, with soldiers deployed around the parliament building and some roads closed.Tight security is in force in the capital, Nairobi, with soldiers deployed around the parliament building and some roads closed.
The opposition says the presidential election was rigged, and its MPs have started sitting on government benches.The opposition says the presidential election was rigged, and its MPs have started sitting on government benches.
More than 600 people were killed in unrest following the 27 December polls.More than 600 people were killed in unrest following the 27 December polls.
About 250,000 people also fled or were driven from their homes in a country once seen as a beacon of relative stability in East Africa.About 250,000 people also fled or were driven from their homes in a country once seen as a beacon of relative stability in East Africa.
The BBC's Adam Mynott, reporting from Nairobi, says the level of violence in Kenya has fallen significantly, but that tension remains very high.The BBC's Adam Mynott, reporting from Nairobi, says the level of violence in Kenya has fallen significantly, but that tension remains very high.
The opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is planning another three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday.The opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is planning another three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday.
The police say the ban on public demonstrations, imposed after the elections, remains in force.The police say the ban on public demonstrations, imposed after the elections, remains in force.
The ODM became the largest party in parliament, though it does not have an absolute majority.The ODM became the largest party in parliament, though it does not have an absolute majority.
But opposition leader Raila Odinga was declared to have lost the presidential election to the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki - a result which Mr Odinga rejected.But opposition leader Raila Odinga was declared to have lost the presidential election to the incumbent, Mwai Kibaki - a result which Mr Odinga rejected.
EU election observers also expressed serious concern over the fairness of the election, and the EU's top aid official, development commissioner Louis Michel, warned that aid to Kenya might be reduced "if we see that the election has not been fully respected".EU election observers also expressed serious concern over the fairness of the election, and the EU's top aid official, development commissioner Louis Michel, warned that aid to Kenya might be reduced "if we see that the election has not been fully respected".
'In control''In control'
The swearing-in may see Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga in the same room for the first time since the election.The swearing-in may see Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga in the same room for the first time since the election.
But live television pictures from inside parliament in the minutes ahead of the formal start of the session showed MPs greeting one another in a friendly and polite manner with no sign of tension or anger.
We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other Martha KaruaJustice minister Kenya at the crossroadsWe hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other Martha KaruaJustice minister Kenya at the crossroads
Speaking to the BBC ahead of parliament resuming, ODM MP Najib Balala said the party was still pressing for a new election.Speaking to the BBC ahead of parliament resuming, ODM MP Najib Balala said the party was still pressing for a new election.
"It's going to be very exciting to see an illegitimate government being told on their face that they have lost the election and they're going to lose their arm of legislature," he told the Network Africa programme."It's going to be very exciting to see an illegitimate government being told on their face that they have lost the election and they're going to lose their arm of legislature," he told the Network Africa programme.
"We want to prove to the world we are not going to act in an uncivilised way, we are going to parliament, we are going to show that we are controlling parliament.""We want to prove to the world we are not going to act in an uncivilised way, we are going to parliament, we are going to show that we are controlling parliament."
But Justice Minister Martha Karua told the BBC she believed cooler heads would prevail.But Justice Minister Martha Karua told the BBC she believed cooler heads would prevail.
HAVE YOUR SAY The only option for Kenya is to have a transitional government Mohammad, Hargeisa, Somalia Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The only option for Kenya is to have a transitional government Mohammad, Hargeisa, Somalia Send us your comments
"We are ready to navigate through a hung parliament through persuasion, through negotiations."We are ready to navigate through a hung parliament through persuasion, through negotiations.
"We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other.""We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other."
A key issue will be the election of a speaker - the third most powerful person in the country, after the president and vice-president.A key issue will be the election of a speaker - the third most powerful person in the country, after the president and vice-president.
No single party has the necessary two-thirds majority to ensure the election of its candidates, and intense lobbying is expected.No single party has the necessary two-thirds majority to ensure the election of its candidates, and intense lobbying is expected.
Annan 'uninvited'Annan 'uninvited'
Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due to arrive later on Tuesday at the head of an African mediation team in a bid to bring about negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due to arrive later on Tuesday at the head of an African mediation team in a bid to bring about negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
Mr Annan has said he expects all sides to work hard for a solutionMr Annan has said he expects all sides to work hard for a solution
Hardline cabinet minister John Michuki played down the visit.Hardline cabinet minister John Michuki played down the visit.
"If Kofi Annan is coming, he is not coming at our invitation," he told journalists on Monday."If Kofi Annan is coming, he is not coming at our invitation," he told journalists on Monday.
"As far as we are concerned, we won an election.""As far as we are concerned, we won an election."
But Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula welcomed the visit.But Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula welcomed the visit.
"It was agreed by both the government and the ODM that Mr Annan, along with the other three eminent personalities, facilitate dialogue between the two sides, and we are looking forward to their arrival, he said."It was agreed by both the government and the ODM that Mr Annan, along with the other three eminent personalities, facilitate dialogue between the two sides, and we are looking forward to their arrival, he said.