At least two people were killed in the clashes between police and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters out in Nairobi, Mombasa, and the western part of Kenya. Raila Odinga, the opposition candidate and ODM leader tried to reach a rally taking place at Uhuru (Freedom) Park in Nairobi. However, he was forced back by tear gas.
The ODM had called forth for the three days of protests over the December 27 elections saying that the polling was rigged in President Mwai Kibaki’s favor. The results were rejected by the opposition and it was questioned by international observers.
Since the chaos and unrest, over 600 people were killed. Hundreds of thousands were displaced as a result of the constant clashes.
Journalists were attacked by tear gas from anti-riot police.
Odinga said: “The massive deployment of security forces will not intimidate the people of Kenya from demanding their right, it is an indication that the government is terrified of its own people.”
Kenneth Marende of the ODM who is the new speaker of parliament said that the group has the constitutional right to protest Kibaki’s reelection. He adds that the ODM’s dominance will make it difficult for Kibaki’s People’s Unity Party to impose itself.
Moses Wetangula, Kenya’s foreign minister said that the ODM should keep the fighting in parliament.
“We expect the strong opposition we have now in parliament to provide critical, effective oversight of the government, to audit government in every way,” Wetangula said.
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