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| Kenya opposition wants new polls | Kenya opposition wants new polls |
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| The opposition in Kenya has called for a re-run of the presidential election last week, which it says was rigged. | The opposition in Kenya has called for a re-run of the presidential election last week, which it says was rigged. |
| An opposition spokesman said President Mwai Kibaki should step aside, and a transitional administration should hold elections within three months. | An opposition spokesman said President Mwai Kibaki should step aside, and a transitional administration should hold elections within three months. |
| A government spokesman indicated that Mr Kibaki might accept fresh elections, under certain conditions. | A government spokesman indicated that Mr Kibaki might accept fresh elections, under certain conditions. |
| More than 300 people died in violence following the election. The UN says another 180,000 have been displaced. | More than 300 people died in violence following the election. The UN says another 180,000 have been displaced. |
| The head of the UN office for humanitarian affairs in Nairobi says that around half-a-million people are in acute need of assistance. | The head of the UN office for humanitarian affairs in Nairobi says that around half-a-million people are in acute need of assistance. |
| See Kenya's ethnic divisions by province | See Kenya's ethnic divisions by province |
| While the recent trigger for the troubles was the election, Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963. | While the recent trigger for the troubles was the election, Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963. |
| Mr Kibaki depends heavily on support from the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who are seeking greater autonomy - back losing presidential candidate Raila Odinga. | Mr Kibaki depends heavily on support from the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who are seeking greater autonomy - back losing presidential candidate Raila Odinga. |
| 'Hyena' court | 'Hyena' court |
| The call for an election came from Anyang Nyongo, the secretary-general of Mr Odinga's ODM party. | The call for an election came from Anyang Nyongo, the secretary-general of Mr Odinga's ODM party. |
| Military police are guarding key points in Nairobi | Military police are guarding key points in Nairobi |
| He also said the current electoral commission should not be involved in new polls. | He also said the current electoral commission should not be involved in new polls. |
| "The current crisis is not caused by the Kenyan people - it is caused by Kibaki and his henchmen, who messed up the result after the Kenyan people had voted," he told the BBC. | "The current crisis is not caused by the Kenyan people - it is caused by Kibaki and his henchmen, who messed up the result after the Kenyan people had voted," he told the BBC. |
| A Kenyan government spokesman, Alfred Mutua, said the president was not in principle opposed to holding fresh elections. | A Kenyan government spokesman, Alfred Mutua, said the president was not in principle opposed to holding fresh elections. |
| "We would accept even another election, as long as the constitution is followed," Alfred Mutua told Reuters. | "We would accept even another election, as long as the constitution is followed," Alfred Mutua told Reuters. |
| "If the courts decide it, we would accept that." | "If the courts decide it, we would accept that." |
| There is a great deal of hope since both the ODM and the government have indicated they are open to negotiation Desmond TutuSouth African archbishop href="/1/hi/world/africa/7171605.stm">Can Tutu heal the wounds? class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7170089.stm">Turmoil fuels Luo grievancesDiplomacy falters | |
| The opposition had earlier dismissed the prospect of taking its complaints to the courts. | The opposition had earlier dismissed the prospect of taking its complaints to the courts. |
| William Ruto had said it would be like taking sheep to a court presided over by a hyena. | William Ruto had said it would be like taking sheep to a court presided over by a hyena. |
| But the BBC's Grant Ferrett, reporting from Nairobi, says both government and opposition are now trying to show more flexibility. | But the BBC's Grant Ferrett, reporting from Nairobi, says both government and opposition are now trying to show more flexibility. |
| A similar sign of flexibility was reported by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, after a meeting with Mr Kibaki. | A similar sign of flexibility was reported by South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu, after a meeting with Mr Kibaki. |
| "The president was not averse to the idea of coalitions - but clearly there has to be an acceptance that there is a governing authority," Mr Tutu was quoted as saying by Reuters. | "The president was not averse to the idea of coalitions - but clearly there has to be an acceptance that there is a governing authority," Mr Tutu was quoted as saying by Reuters. |
| "There is a great deal of hope since both the Orange Democratic Movement and the government have indicated they are open to negotiations." | "There is a great deal of hope since both the Orange Democratic Movement and the government have indicated they are open to negotiations." |
| Mr Tutu met Mr Odinga on Thursday. | Mr Tutu met Mr Odinga on Thursday. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
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| In Nairobi on Friday, the security forces appeared to have succeeded for a second day in blocking a planned opposition rally from happening. They sealed off Uhuru (Freedom) Park, the venue for the proposed protests. | In Nairobi on Friday, the security forces appeared to have succeeded for a second day in blocking a planned opposition rally from happening. They sealed off Uhuru (Freedom) Park, the venue for the proposed protests. |
| Thousands of police were deployed around the city, though fewer than on Thursday. | Thousands of police were deployed around the city, though fewer than on Thursday. |
| The opposition neighbourhood of Kibera is also being patrolled | The opposition neighbourhood of Kibera is also being patrolled |
| And with traffic back on the streets, some shops and businesses have re-opened, as the city attempts to return to something like a normal life. | And with traffic back on the streets, some shops and businesses have re-opened, as the city attempts to return to something like a normal life. |
| At one point several hundred youths had gathered outside the ODM offices in Nairobi, saying they intended to press ahead with the planned protest. | At one point several hundred youths had gathered outside the ODM offices in Nairobi, saying they intended to press ahead with the planned protest. |
| But other opposition supporters have been telling the BBC they do not want to be beaten up by police. | But other opposition supporters have been telling the BBC they do not want to be beaten up by police. |
| On Thursday security forces blocked a banned mass rally in Nairobi, using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. | On Thursday security forces blocked a banned mass rally in Nairobi, using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. |
| KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15% | KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15% |
| Return to top | Return to top |
| Are you in Kenya? Have you been affected by developments there? Please send your comments by using the form below. | Are you in Kenya? Have you been affected by developments there? Please send your comments by using the form below. |