This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7206261.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Kenya 'agrees' poll-rigging probe Kenya 'agrees' poll-rigging probe
(about 1 hour later)
Kenya's government has agreed to set up an official investigation into allegations of election fraud in last month's disputed poll, officials say. Kenya's government has agreed to set up an official investigation into allegations of fraud in last month's disputed poll, officials say.
The commission has three months to investigate the claims of vote rigging, however the government and opposition have not agreed on the panel's make-up.The commission has three months to investigate the claims of vote rigging, however the government and opposition have not agreed on the panel's make-up.
The announcement was made by a Ugandan presidential spokesman, after Yoweri Museveni met his Kenyan counterpart.The announcement was made by a Ugandan presidential spokesman, after Yoweri Museveni met his Kenyan counterpart.
Former UN chief Kofi Annan is also in Kenya, trying to mediate in the crisis.Former UN chief Kofi Annan is also in Kenya, trying to mediate in the crisis.
The opposition says it was cheated of victory and its protests have led to the deaths of more than 650 people.The opposition says it was cheated of victory and its protests have led to the deaths of more than 650 people.
There has been no confirmation of the fraud investigation from either the government or the opposition. Human Rights Watch says it has evidence that some opposition officials instigated attacks on members of President Mwai Kibaki's Kikuyu community following the announcement of his victory.
Mediation talks Rival mediation
Mr Annan met Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki for an hour but no agreement was reached. There has been no confirmation of the judicial commission to investigate the fraud claims from either the government or the opposition.
"These were just the initial talks," presidential spokesman Isaiya Kabira said. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has previously refused to lodge a legal challenge to the polls and has demanded fresh polls.
We believe as ODM that given a good chance, we can get out of the quagmire that our country is embroiled in William RutoOrange Democratic Movement Earlier, the leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi. His Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has insisted that all mediation efforts must go through Mr Annan.
Raila Odinga said he was responding to a request by Mr Annan. We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence Georgette GagnonHuman Rights Watch Ugandan presidential press secretary Tamale Mirundi told the BBC News website that Mr Museveni's mediation efforts were entirely separate from those of the former UN secretary-general.
AFP news agency reports the death of at least 12 people overnight in several different incidents. "President Museveni has left this frame-work and the Kofi Annan team can work with this or ignore it, but he is a happy man that his mission has broken the ice," Mr Mirundi said.
On Wednesday, skirmishes between police and youths broke up an opposition memorial service for victims of the post-poll violence in a park in Nairobi. Mr Museveni has now left Kenya.
The ODM had been planning a mass demonstration on Thursday to underline its anger at the official result of the 27 December presidential election, which it claims was rigged by President Mwai Kibaki and his government. Mr Annan met Kenyan President Kibaki for an hour on Thursday but no agreement was reached.
But after meeting Mr Annan, the ODM said it would not go ahead with the protest. "These were just the initial talks," said Kenyan presidential spokesman Isaiya Kabira said.
ODM MP William Ruto told KTN television that the party had presented its evidence of electoral fraud by the government to Mr Annan and expressed its full confidence in his efforts to resolve the crisis in the country. Earlier, Mr Odinga called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in the capital, Nairobi.
'Dialogue' He said he was responding to a request by Mr Annan.
Before the meeting, the former UN secretary general said he would insist on a solution for the "sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa". The former UN secretary-general is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
He is being accompanied by Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa. Mr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Mr Museveni's talks with Mr Kibaki lasted longer than expected.
Raila Odinga (left) remains convinced he won the electionMr Annan had planned to meet both sides on Wednesday, but was prevented because Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, who is on a separate mediation mission, talked to Mr Kibaki for longer than expected.
Mr Annan was forced to postpone his meeting at State House for 24 hours.
Several attempts to get the two leaders to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.
The Catholic church has urged the two leaders to hold their first direct talks since the crisis began.
"We ask President Mwai Kibaki and Honourable Raila Odinga to open their minds and hearts and immediately enter into dialogue," said a faxed statement signed by Cardinal John Njue and 23 bishops.
DeathsDeaths
AFP news agency reports 12 deaths overnight in clashes between rival gangs and ethnic groups, quoting the police. Human Rights Watch has urged the authorities to end the violence around the Rift Valley town of Eldoret - one of the area's worst hit by the violence.
It says there were eight deaths in Nakuru - to the north-west of the capital. Raila Odinga (left) wants all mediation to go through Kofi Annan"We have evidence that ODM politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence," said Georgette Gagnon, the group's acting Africa director.
"Opposition leaders are right to challenge Kenya's rigged presidential poll, but they can't use it as an excuse for targeting ethnic groups."
Researchers spoke to several members of the Kalenjin community, who said they had been mobilised to attack shops and businesses owned by Kikuyus.
AFP news agency reports the death of at least 12 people overnight in several different incidents, including parts of the Rift Valley.
Eight people were killed overnight in the Rift Valley capital, Nakuru, the police told AFP.
It says two were killed in central Limuru, one man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum and another Kenyan was killed in the western area of Molo.It says two were killed in central Limuru, one man was hacked to death in a Nairobi slum and another Kenyan was killed in the western area of Molo.
'Open minds'
Several attempts to get Mr Odinga and President Kibaki to hold face-to-face talks have failed so far.
The Catholic church has urged the two leaders to hold their first direct talks since the crisis began.
"We ask President Mwai Kibaki and Honourable Raila Odinga to open their minds and hearts and immediately enter into dialogue," said a faxed statement signed by Cardinal John Njue and 23 bishops.
On Wednesday, riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service for some of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests.On Wednesday, riot police fired canisters into crowds of people who had gathered for a memorial service for some of those killed in last week's crackdown on opposition protests.
Previous demonstrations have been blocked by the security forces
Hundreds of mourners had gathered to listen to prayers and speeches and Mr Odinga was finishing his speech when tear gas canisters started to fly.
Reports say a group of ODM youths were angered by the presence of police at the venue and started pelting their cars with stones and the meeting then descended into chaos.
The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.The opposition has filed a complaint with the International Criminal Court, accusing the police of using excessive force during last week's protests, in which more than 30 people died.