NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Latest on Kenya’s upcoming election (all times local): 10:20 p.m. The State Department is urging Kenya’s security forces not to use “unnecessary force” after police said they shot and killed two opposition protesters amid demonstrations
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Latest on Kenya’s upcoming election (all times local):
10:20 p.m.
The State Department is urging Kenya’s security forces not to use “unnecessary force” after police said they shot and killed two opposition protesters amid demonstrations for election reforms.
The U.S. statement Friday also urges independent investigations into allegations of abuse of force.
Police in Kenya’s three largest cities used tear gas Friday on opposition protesters who defied a new ban on demonstrations ahead of the fresh presidential election Oct. 26.
The State Department statement urges all Kenyans who demonstrate to do so peacefully.
— Josh Lederman in Washington
———
5:35 p.m.
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga tells The Associated Press he is “ready to jump in the field” if the government and electoral commission accept his demands for reforms ahead of new presidential elections on Oct. 26.
Odinga’s legal challenge led the Supreme Court to annul President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August re-election over irregularities, but this week he said he has withdrawn from the new vote. He says that without reforms the new vote faces the same problems.
In an AP interview in London, Odinga says it is up to the government and electoral commission. “If they’re ready to do business and deal, we are ready to jump in the field.”
Odinga also says the government is acting illegally by deploying police to stop opposition supporters from demonstrating in the central business districts of Kenya’s three largest cities.
———
3:55 p.m.
Police in Kenya say they have killed two opposition protesters who allegedly stormed a police station with farm tools and rocks in the western part of the country.
Bondo police chief Paul Kiarie says three other protesters suffered gunshot wounds in Siaya County.
Police in Kenya’s three largest cities also used tear gas Friday on opposition demonstrations that defied a government ban and pressed for electoral reforms ahead of fresh presidential elections on Oct. 26.
———
12:45 p.m.
Police have used tear gas on protesters in Kenya’s three largest cities after opposition leaders vowed to continue with demonstrations to press for electoral reforms despite a government ban.
Police fired tear gas at Freedom Park in the capital, Nairobi, where opposition protesters gathered. Local television showed running battles with stone-throwing youth in Kisumu, Kenya’s third-largest city.
Opposition legislator Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir says police used tear gas in Mombasa, the second-largest city.
Opposition leaders have called for daily demonstrations ahead of fresh presidential elections Oct. 26. The government on Thursday banned opposition protests in the three cities’ central business districts.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, whose legal challenge led the Supreme Court to annul President Uhuru Kenyatta’s August re-election over irregularities, this week said he has withdrawn from the new vote.
