This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7190777.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Kenya police fire warning shots Kenya police fire warning shots
(20 minutes later)
Police in the Kenyan city of Kisumu have fired shots over the heads of protesters at a rally against disputed presidential election results.Police in the Kenyan city of Kisumu have fired shots over the heads of protesters at a rally against disputed presidential election results.
Some 300 people were trying to march into the town centre when the police opened fire. There have been no reported injuries. Some 300 people were trying to march into the town centre when the police opened fire. A BBC reporter there saw two people being carried away.
There have also been reports of scuffles in Mombasa and Eldoret.There have also been reports of scuffles in Mombasa and Eldoret.
The rallies are part of a three-day nationwide protest called for by the opposition Orange Democratic Movement.The rallies are part of a three-day nationwide protest called for by the opposition Orange Democratic Movement.
The police are well prepared to counter any groups attempting to disrupt peace Eric KiraithePolice spokesmanThe police are well prepared to counter any groups attempting to disrupt peace Eric KiraithePolice spokesman
They come a day after an ODM candidate became parliament speaker.They come a day after an ODM candidate became parliament speaker.
The protests, planned in 30 cities and towns across the country, have been banned by police, who called them "inappropriate".The protests, planned in 30 cities and towns across the country, have been banned by police, who called them "inappropriate".
The new speaker, Kenneth Marende, told the BBC that the ODM had the constitutional right to begin three days of protests against the election of President Mwai Kibaki.The new speaker, Kenneth Marende, told the BBC that the ODM had the constitutional right to begin three days of protests against the election of President Mwai Kibaki.
Unrest since the announcement of the results has claimed more than 600 lives, driven about a quarter of a million of people from their homes and shaken relations between the country's dominant ethnic groups.Unrest since the announcement of the results has claimed more than 600 lives, driven about a quarter of a million of people from their homes and shaken relations between the country's dominant ethnic groups.
Sporadic gunfireSporadic gunfire
The BBC's Karen Allen in the western town of Kisumu, home to ODM presidential challenger Raila Odinga, said protesters had dispersed.The BBC's Karen Allen in the western town of Kisumu, home to ODM presidential challenger Raila Odinga, said protesters had dispersed.
However, sporadic gunfire could still be heard.However, sporadic gunfire could still be heard.
Security forces are patrolling the streets of the capital, Nairobi, but so far heavy rain has prevented large numbers of demonstrators from appearing on the streets.Security forces are patrolling the streets of the capital, Nairobi, but so far heavy rain has prevented large numbers of demonstrators from appearing on the streets.
See an aerial map of Nairobi and the city centre See an aerial map of Nairobi and the city centre
Opposition supporters, many of them from the slums of Nairobi, hope to march on the city's politically symbolic Uhuru (Freedom) Park.Opposition supporters, many of them from the slums of Nairobi, hope to march on the city's politically symbolic Uhuru (Freedom) Park.
Slum wary of ethnic violenceKenya's dubious electionSlum wary of ethnic violenceKenya's dubious election
"People are anticipating chaos and many of them will go to the rallies," one resident of Nairobi's Mathare slum told the Reuters news agency."People are anticipating chaos and many of them will go to the rallies," one resident of Nairobi's Mathare slum told the Reuters news agency.
ODM leaders are gathering at their party headquarters in the capital to prepare a statement, reports say.ODM leaders are gathering at their party headquarters in the capital to prepare a statement, reports say.
There are heavily armed police stationed around Uhuru Park, but otherwise police presence remains minimal compared to Tuesday, when large parts of the city's business district was sealed off as MPs were being sworn in.There are heavily armed police stationed around Uhuru Park, but otherwise police presence remains minimal compared to Tuesday, when large parts of the city's business district was sealed off as MPs were being sworn in.
Many shopkeepers have boarded up their properties to try to prevent lootingMany shopkeepers have boarded up their properties to try to prevent looting
There have been running battles between protesters and police in Mombasa where several people have been injured.There have been running battles between protesters and police in Mombasa where several people have been injured.
A BBC correspondent in the port city says opposition activists wearing white ribbons and carrying placards staged sit-ins at the main roads leading into the city.A BBC correspondent in the port city says opposition activists wearing white ribbons and carrying placards staged sit-ins at the main roads leading into the city.
In Eldoret, which witnessed the burning of a church in post-poll violence, protesters also erected roadblocks in the outskirts of town.In Eldoret, which witnessed the burning of a church in post-poll violence, protesters also erected roadblocks in the outskirts of town.
Burnt-out buildingsBurnt-out buildings
Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the rallies would be unlawful until the security situation across the country returned to normal.Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the rallies would be unlawful until the security situation across the country returned to normal.
These opposition supporters cheered the speaker vote in Kisumu Protesters carried a coffin to symbolise the death of democracy
"The constitution allows groups to hold the protests but the police are well prepared to counter any groups attempting to disrupt peace," he told the BBC."The constitution allows groups to hold the protests but the police are well prepared to counter any groups attempting to disrupt peace," he told the BBC.
Mr Kibaki was re-elected on 27 December, but Mr Odinga says the poll was rigged. Election observers have also complained of irregularities in the presidential vote count.Mr Kibaki was re-elected on 27 December, but Mr Odinga says the poll was rigged. Election observers have also complained of irregularities in the presidential vote count.
Attempts at outside mediation between Mr Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki have failed with the latest, a bid by Kofi Annan, postponed when the former United Nations chief fell ill.Attempts at outside mediation between Mr Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki have failed with the latest, a bid by Kofi Annan, postponed when the former United Nations chief fell ill.
At Tuesday's inauguration of the new parliament, Kenya's two bitter rivals studiously ignored each other, correspondents say.At Tuesday's inauguration of the new parliament, Kenya's two bitter rivals studiously ignored each other, correspondents say.
The new speaker said opposition's dominance of parliament would make it difficult for President Mwai Kibaki's PNU party to impose itself, and that it might be forced into forming a coalition.The new speaker said opposition's dominance of parliament would make it difficult for President Mwai Kibaki's PNU party to impose itself, and that it might be forced into forming a coalition.


Return to top Return to top