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Kenyan MPs poised for stand-off Kenyan MPs poised for stand-off
(20 minutes later)
Opposition leaders in Kenya say their MPs will try to sit on the government benches as parliament meets for the first time since disputed elections. Parliament in Kenya meets today for the first time since disputed elections in December amid fears of clashes between government and opposition supporters.
Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement became the largest party in parliament but he lost the presidential vote, a defeat he blames on poll fraud. Opposition leaders say their MPs will try to sit on the government benches.
Analysts predict a showdown between MPs after two weeks of unrest. Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement became the largest party in parliament, though it does not have an absolute majority.
An attempt at mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan was rejected by the government before it began. Mr Odinga lost the presidential vote, a defeat he blames on poll fraud. About 600 people have died in unrest since.
Mr Annan is due to begin his visit on Tuesday, and arrives in the wake of failed bids to negotiate by the head of the African Union, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, and US envoy Jendayi Frazer. Mass rallies
The European Union has warned it may reduce aid to Kenya if the crisis is not resolved.
According to official figures, 612 people have died in unrest since the announcement of the 27 December election results.
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.
Mr Odinga's ODM is planning three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday. Mr Odinga's ODM is planning another three days of consecutive mass rallies around Kenya this week, beginning on Wednesday.
'Major showdown' President Mwai Kibaki is due to open the first session of the new parliament.
President Mwai Kibaki is due to open the first session of the new parliament in Nairobi on Tuesday.
As well as anticipating acrimony if ODM legislators go ahead with their threat to occupy seats on the government's side of the house, analysts also predict tensions over the election of a speaker and deputy speaker.As well as anticipating acrimony if ODM legislators go ahead with their threat to occupy seats on the government's side of the house, analysts also predict tensions over the election of a speaker and deputy speaker.
No one party has the necessary two-thirds majority to ensure the election of its candidates, and intense lobbying is expected.No one party has the necessary two-thirds majority to ensure the election of its candidates, and intense lobbying is expected.
An ODM member, William Ruto, denied in an interview for the Daily Nation newspaper that by attending parliament, the opposition was recognising the election results de facto. An ODM member, William Ruto, denied in an interview for the Daily Nation newspaper that, by attending parliament, the opposition was recognising the election results de facto.
"We are not going to sit back and allow them to install a speaker who will pave the way for the illegitimacy to continue," he said."We are not going to sit back and allow them to install a speaker who will pave the way for the illegitimacy to continue," he said.
Annan 'uninvited'Annan 'uninvited'
Mr Annan is due to arrive on Tuesday in a bid to achieve negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga. Former UN chief Kofi Annan is due to arrive on Tuesday in a bid to bring about negotiations between Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga. The head of the African Union, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, and US envoy Jendayi Frazer have also tried to intervene.
Mr Annan has said he expects all sides to work hard for a solutionMr Annan has said he expects all sides to work hard for a solution
However, hardline cabinet minister John Michuki played down the visit.However, 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."
EU election observers have raised serious concern over the fairness of the election, saying "the accuracy of the result is in doubt".EU election observers have raised serious concern over the fairness of the election, saying "the accuracy of the result is in doubt".
Development Commissioner Louis Michel, the EU's top aid official, said on Monday aid to Kenya might be reduced "if we see that the election has not been fully respected".Development Commissioner Louis Michel, the EU's top aid official, said on Monday aid to Kenya might be reduced "if we see that the election has not been fully respected".
Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, another EU official said that if Mr Annan's mediation failed, Brussels would consider its options, including the possibilities of sanctions and of suspending aid.Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, another EU official said that if Mr Annan's mediation failed, Brussels would consider its options, including the possibilities of sanctions and of suspending aid.