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Kenyan police defend crackdown Kenyan police defend crackdown
(30 minutes later)
Kenya's police chief Hussein Ali has told an inquiry into the post-election violence earlier this year that the security forces acted within the law.Kenya's police chief Hussein Ali has told an inquiry into the post-election violence earlier this year that the security forces acted within the law.
The violence left up to 1,500 people dead and 300,000 displaced.The violence left up to 1,500 people dead and 300,000 displaced.
He told the public hearing that if his officers had not cracked down hard on people breaking the law, the death toll would have been higher than it was.He told the public hearing that if his officers had not cracked down hard on people breaking the law, the death toll would have been higher than it was.
Human rights organisations have accused the security forces of being behind extra-judicial killings at the time.Human rights organisations have accused the security forces of being behind extra-judicial killings at the time.
The police commissioner is the first witness to appear at a commission of inquiry established to investigate the clashes that followed last December's disputed elections.The police commissioner is the first witness to appear at a commission of inquiry established to investigate the clashes that followed last December's disputed elections.
The BBC's Karen Allen in the capital, Nairobi, says it is one of several tribunals set up to try to begin the process of reconciliation in Kenya, although it has no powers to prosecute.The BBC's Karen Allen in the capital, Nairobi, says it is one of several tribunals set up to try to begin the process of reconciliation in Kenya, although it has no powers to prosecute.
It is expected to hear from victims including those who suffered sexual violence - in the coming weeks.It is expected to hear from victims including those who suffered sexual violence - in the coming weeks.
Cold bloodCold blood
Our correspondent says Commissioner Ali mounted a spirited defence of the Kenyan police force, amid claims that they were partisan and heavy-handed.Our correspondent says Commissioner Ali mounted a spirited defence of the Kenyan police force, amid claims that they were partisan and heavy-handed.
Outrage at Kenya police tacticsOutrage at Kenya police tactics
He told the public hearing that any attempt to shift the blame for the violence to the police, would be "populist and self-serving".He told the public hearing that any attempt to shift the blame for the violence to the police, would be "populist and self-serving".
"Had the police not taken prompt action to quell the violence, this country would have experienced a much higher toll in the loss of lives and property," he said.
He added that Kenya's "internal political dynamics" should be investigated to ensure that future elections do not degenerate into similar violence.
The Orange Democratic Movement said its leader, Raila Odinga, had been cheated of victory in the polls and organised protests.The Orange Democratic Movement said its leader, Raila Odinga, had been cheated of victory in the polls and organised protests.
The ODM says the police opened fire on its supporters, leading to many deaths.The ODM says the police opened fire on its supporters, leading to many deaths.
Local television pictures which seemed to show a police officer shooting dead a protester in cold blood shocked the nation.Local television pictures which seemed to show a police officer shooting dead a protester in cold blood shocked the nation.
The violence later spilled over into clashes between rival communities with different political affiliations.The violence later spilled over into clashes between rival communities with different political affiliations.
Mr Odinga is now prime minister, after agreeing a power-sharing deal with President Mwai Kibaki.Mr Odinga is now prime minister, after agreeing a power-sharing deal with President Mwai Kibaki.