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Final day of Kenyan opposition
protests to kick off
Posted : Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:12:03 GMT
Author : DPA
Nairobi - A third and final day of planned opposition protests was
set to begin Friday over disputed Kenyan election results that
have triggered widespread violence in the usually peaceful country.
The opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said seven people
were killed in demonstrations in Nairobi Thursday, which were
mostly limited to its sprawling slums, and that a total of 17 were
killed nationwide since the protests began Wednesday.
Tight security has fanned out across Kenya's major cities and
towns, with Nairobi's downtown Uhuru Park, where the rally is set
to take place, sealed by paramilitary police.
The government has banned the rallies and the police have
responded to any gathering of people with teargas, water cannons
and in some areas firing live rounds into the crowd.
ODM leader Raila Odinga has vowed not to cease the mass action
until the December 27 presidential vote is recounted and President
Mwai Kibaki admits he stole the vote, as Odinga claims.
He has not revealed when ODM would stage more protests after
Friday.
Kenya was plunged into violence after the polls, with at least 600
people killed in violence that has touched off ethnic tensions.
Another 250,000 have been displaced.
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