Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
Voice of America is funded by the US Federal Government and content it
exclusively produces is in the public domain.
January 11, 2008

Kenyan Opposition Calls for New Rallies to Protest Election
-----------------------------------------------------------

http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AE1F6D:A6F02AD83191E160EDF051B4202A353098CBE7246176B735& Orange Democratic
Movement announces plans to hold rallies in more than 20 locations
next Wednesday, Thursday, Friday





" hspace=2
src="/english/images/ap_kenya_odinga_opposition_11jan08_eng_195.jpg"
width=210 vspace=2 border=0>

Opposition leader, Raila Odinga, right, speaks with Anyang Nyongo,
secretary-general of ODM, during press conference in Nairobi, 11 Jan
2008Kenya's main opposition party has called for new demonstrations to
protest the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki.

The Orange Democratic Movement announced plans Friday to hold rallies
in more than 20 locations next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. In a
statement, the party specifically asked police to provide security for
a mass rally Wednesday at Nairobi's Uhuru Park.

Kenyan police quickly responded, saying they will not allow the
opposition to hold the rallies.

Authorities have banned all protests since Kenya erupted in violence
nearly two weeks ago, after President Kibaki was declared the winner
of the December 27 election.

ODM supporters who tried to gather in Nairobi last week were stopped
by police using tear gas and water cannon.

Foreign mediators trying to end the crisis have failed to secure an
agreement or a meeting between Mr. Kibaki and opposition leader Raila
Odinga.

African Union chairman John Kufuor and the top U.S. diplomat for
Africa, Jendayi Frazer, both left Nairobi Thursday after their
mediation efforts fizzled. Former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan
has agreed to take over the negotiations next week.

The opposition maintains that President Kibaki stole the election and
has called for him to step down. Violence triggered by the dispute has
killed more than 500 people.

The United States announced Thursday it is donating $5 million to help
Kenyans made homeless by the violence. Some information for this
report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


.