Kenya unrest continues

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-18-2008 08:52

There's been another day of opposition protests in Kenya, amid the country's simmering post-election crisis.

Violence has already killed more than 600 people.

There's been another day of opposition protests in Kenya, amid the country's simmering post-election crisis.  (CCTV.com)

Protesters in the western opposition stronghold of Kisumu blocked roads and set barricades on fire on Thursday.

The latest fatalities occurred on Wednesday in the western town of Kisumu. Police fired rifles and tear gas to push back rock-throwing youths.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga's had called for more mass protests, but urged them to be peaceful. Most protesters were unarmed.

Kisumu Resident, said, "OK, today we are planning a peaceful demonstration that we will start from the slums to the town."

At least two people there were shot dead by police.

The government has banned the rallies, but the opposition says the government has no authority to do so.

Najib Balala, Orange Demancratic Movement Leader, said, "The rallies are going to be on. People are angered with the theft of the result of the elections. People will not let go of their democratic rights that they have voiced."

Last month, Kenya's electoral commission declared President Mwai Kibaki the winner of the presidential election.

But opposition leader Odinga insists he won the vote, and his ODM party has called on the president to resign or share power.

The government in turn accuses the opposition of rigging votes and protesting instead of using legal options to challenge the result.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei