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Angry exchanges as Kenya MPs meet Angry exchanges as Kenya MPs meet
(10 minutes later)
Parliament in Kenya has met for the first time since disputed elections, amid continuing tension between government and opposition.Parliament in Kenya has met for the first time since disputed elections, amid continuing tension between government and opposition.
Tight security is in force in the capital, Nairobi, with soldiers deployed around the parliament building and some roads closed.Tight security is in force in the capital, Nairobi, with soldiers deployed around the parliament building and some roads closed.
MPs began voting for a new speaker - the third most powerful person in the country - amid angry exchanges.MPs began voting for a new speaker - the third most powerful person in the country - amid angry exchanges.
The opposition says the presidential election was rigged.The opposition says the presidential election was rigged.
And voting for a new Speaker was interrupted by MPs of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) renewing their attacks on the government.And voting for a new Speaker was interrupted by MPs of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) renewing their attacks on the government.
"We went through (national) elections with a secret ballot, and you stole the vote," said opposition leader William Ruto, suggesting that the vote for the Speaker could be rigged too. "We went through (national) elections with a secret ballot, and you stole the vote," said opposition leader William Ruto, suggesting that the vote for the Speaker could be rigged too in a secret ballot.
But government MP Mutula Kilonzo retorted: "You are now violating the very principle this country has been seeking."
Opposition MPs had originally planned to sit on government benches.Opposition MPs had originally planned to sit on government benches.
But in the event their leader Raila Odinga took the seat reserved for the leader of the opposition.But in the event their leader Raila Odinga took the seat reserved for the leader of the opposition.
Orange handkerchiefsOrange handkerchiefs
His followers, sporting orange handkerchiefs in their breast pockets, declined to stand up as President Mwai Kibaki entered the chamber - an indication that they do not regard his election as valid. His followers, some sporting orange handkerchiefs in their breast pockets, declined to stand up as President Mwai Kibaki entered the chamber - an indication that they do not regard his election as valid.
We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other Martha KaruaJustice minister Kenya at the crossroadsWe hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other Martha KaruaJustice minister Kenya at the crossroads
It was the first time Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki had been in the same room since the 27 December election.It was the first time Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki had been in the same room since the 27 December election.
More than 600 people were killed in unrest that followed.More than 600 people were killed in unrest that followed.
About 250,000 people also fled or were driven from their homes in a country once seen as a beacon of relative stability in East Africa.About 250,000 people also fled or were driven from their homes in a country once seen as a beacon of relative stability in East Africa.
The BBC's Adam Mynott, reporting from Nairobi, says the level of violence in Kenya has fallen significantly, but tension remains very high.The BBC's Adam Mynott, reporting from Nairobi, says the level of violence in Kenya has fallen significantly, but tension remains very high.
The ODM is planning another three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday.The ODM is planning another three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday.
The police say the ban on public demonstrations, imposed after the elections, remains in force.The police say the ban on public demonstrations, imposed after the elections, remains in force.
The ODM became the largest party in parliament, though it does not have an absolute majority.The ODM became the largest party in parliament, though it does not have an absolute majority.
'In control''In control'
Speaking to the BBC ahead of parliament resuming, ODM MP Najib Balala said the party was still pressing for a new election.Speaking to the BBC ahead of parliament resuming, ODM MP Najib Balala said the party was still pressing for a new election.
"It's going to be very exciting to see an illegitimate government being told on their face that they have lost the election and they're going to lose their arm of legislature," he told the Network Africa programme."It's going to be very exciting to see an illegitimate government being told on their face that they have lost the election and they're going to lose their arm of legislature," he told the Network Africa programme.
"We want to prove to the world we are not going to act in an uncivilised way, we are going to parliament, we are going to show that we are controlling parliament.""We want to prove to the world we are not going to act in an uncivilised way, we are going to parliament, we are going to show that we are controlling parliament."
But Justice Minister Martha Karua told the BBC she believed cooler heads would prevail.But Justice Minister Martha Karua told the BBC she believed cooler heads would prevail.
HAVE YOUR SAY The only option for Kenya is to have a transitional government Mohammad, Hargeisa, Somalia Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The only option for Kenya is to have a transitional government Mohammad, Hargeisa, Somalia Send us your comments
"We are ready to navigate through a hung parliament through persuasion, through negotiations."We are ready to navigate through a hung parliament through persuasion, through negotiations.
"We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other.""We hope and we expect that eventually everybody will come to their senses, realise that we've got to learn to live with each other."
Annan 'uninvited'Annan 'uninvited'
Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due to arrive later on Tuesday at the head of an African mediation team in a bid to bring about negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due to arrive later on Tuesday at the head of an African mediation team in a bid to bring about negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
Mwai Kibaki (left) and Raila Odinga had not met since the polls Mr Annan has said he expects all sides to work hard for a solution
Hardline cabinet minister John Michuki played down the visit.Hardline cabinet minister John Michuki played down the visit.
"If Kofi Annan is coming, he is not coming at our invitation," he told journalists on Monday."If Kofi Annan is coming, he is not coming at our invitation," he told journalists on Monday.
"As far as we are concerned, we won an election.""As far as we are concerned, we won an election."
But Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula welcomed the visit.But Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula welcomed the visit.
"It was agreed by both the government and the ODM that Mr Annan, along with the other three eminent personalities, facilitate dialogue between the two sides, and we are looking forward to their arrival, he said."It was agreed by both the government and the ODM that Mr Annan, along with the other three eminent personalities, facilitate dialogue between the two sides, and we are looking forward to their arrival, he said.