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Kenya 'agrees' poll-rigging probe Kenya talks breakthrough denied
(30 minutes later)
Kenya's government has agreed to set up an official investigation into allegations of fraud in last month's disputed poll, officials say. Kenya's opposition says it has not yet agreed to an official investigation into their claims of electoral fraud.
The commission has three months to investigate the claims of vote rigging, however the government and opposition have not agreed on the panel's make-up. Orange Democratic Movement spokesman Salim Lone rejected suggestions from the Ugandan presidency of a talks breakthrough that could end the crisis.
The announcement was made by a Ugandan presidential spokesman, after Yoweri Museveni met his Kenyan counterpart. He said the idea had not been ruled out but it must come as part of former UN chief Kofi Annan's mediation efforts.
Former UN chief Kofi Annan is also in Kenya, trying to mediate in the crisis. Mr Annan has met Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi for "initial talks".
The opposition says it was cheated of victory and its protests have led to the deaths of more than 650 people. The opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it was cheated of victory and its protests have led to the deaths of more than 650 people.
Human Rights Watch says it has evidence that some opposition officials instigated attacks on members of President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu community following the announcement of his victory.Human Rights Watch says it has evidence that some opposition officials instigated attacks on members of President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu community following the announcement of his victory.
Rival mediationRival mediation
There has been no confirmation of the judicial commission to investigate the fraud claims from either the government or the opposition. Ugandan presidential press secretary Tamale Mirundi had said that both sides had agreed to set up a judicial commission, which would report within three months.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has previously refused to lodge a legal challenge to the polls and has demanded fresh polls. He was speaking after Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni had held talks with his Kenyan counterpart.
His Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has insisted that all mediation efforts must go through Mr Annan. We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence Georgette GagnonHuman Rights Watch But Mr Lone said having multiple negotiation processes was "not efficient".
We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence Georgette GagnonHuman Rights Watch Ugandan presidential press secretary Tamale Mirundi told the BBC News website that Mr Museveni's mediation efforts were entirely separate from those of the former UN secretary-general. He pointed out that any suggestion there should be a re-tallying of votes announced by the Electoral Commission of Kenya was out of the question, as the ODM says there was widespread forging and altering of election results forms.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has previously refused to lodge a legal challenge to the polls and has demanded fresh polls.
Mr Mirundi told the BBC News website that Mr Museveni's mediation efforts were entirely separate from those of the former UN secretary-general.
"President Museveni has left this frame-work and the Kofi Annan team can work with this or ignore it, but he is a happy man that his mission has broken the ice," Mr Mirundi said."President Museveni has left this frame-work and the Kofi Annan team can work with this or ignore it, but he is a happy man that his mission has broken the ice," Mr Mirundi said.
Mr Museveni has now left Kenya.Mr Museveni has now left Kenya.
Mr Annan met Kenyan President Kibaki for an hour on Thursday but no agreement was reached.
"These were just the initial talks," said Kenyan presidential spokesman Isaiya Kabira said.
Earlier, Mr Odinga called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi.Earlier, Mr Odinga called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi.
He said he was responding to a request by Mr Annan.He said he was responding to a request by Mr Annan.
The former UN secretary-general is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.The former UN secretary-general is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Mr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Mr Museveni's talks with Mr Kibaki lasted longer than expected.Mr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Mr Museveni's talks with Mr Kibaki lasted longer than expected.
DeathsDeaths
Human Rights Watch has urged the authorities to end the violence around the Rift Valley town of Eldoret - one of the area's worst hit by the violence.Human Rights Watch has urged the authorities to end the violence around the Rift Valley town of Eldoret - one of the area's worst hit by the violence.
Raila Odinga (left) wants all mediation to go through Kofi Annan"We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence," said Georgette Gagnon, the group's acting Africa director.Raila Odinga (left) wants all mediation to go through Kofi Annan"We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence," said Georgette Gagnon, the group's acting Africa director.
"Opposition leaders are right to challenge Kenya's rigged presidential poll, but they can't use it as an excuse for targeting ethnic groups.""Opposition leaders are right to challenge Kenya's rigged presidential poll, but they can't use it as an excuse for targeting ethnic groups."
Researchers spoke to several members of the Kalenjin community, who said they had been mobilised to attack shops and businesses owned by Kikuyus.Researchers spoke to several members of the Kalenjin community, who said they had been mobilised to attack shops and businesses owned by Kikuyus.
AFP news agency reports the death of at least 12 people overnight in several different incidents, including parts of the Rift Valley.AFP news agency reports the death of at least 12 people overnight in several different incidents, including parts of the Rift Valley.
Eight people were killed overnight in the Rift Valley capital, Nakuru, the police told AFP.Eight people were killed overnight in the Rift Valley capital, Nakuru, the police told AFP.
It says two were killed in central Limuru, one man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum and another Kenyan was killed in the western area of Molo.It says two were killed in central Limuru, one man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum and another Kenyan was killed in the western area of Molo.
'Open minds''Open minds'
Several attempts to get Mr Odinga and President Kibaki to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.Several attempts to get Mr Odinga and President Kibaki to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.
The Catholic church has urged the two leaders to hold their first direct talks since the crisis began.The Catholic church has urged the two leaders to hold their first direct talks since the crisis began.
"We ask President Mwai Kibaki and Honourable Raila Odinga to open their minds and hearts and immediately enter into dialogue," said a faxed statement signed by Cardinal John Njue and 23 bishops."We ask President Mwai Kibaki and Honourable Raila Odinga to open their minds and hearts and immediately enter into dialogue," said a faxed statement signed by Cardinal John Njue and 23 bishops.
On Wednesday, riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service for some of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests.On Wednesday, riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service for some of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests.
The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.