Raila Odinga

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya's political rivals announced yesterday a 10-point plan to resolve their political crisis after weeks of negotiations, but they remained deadlocked over power sharing. The two sides made progress on other issues, including an agreement for an independent review of the election at the center of their dispute. The Dec. 27 presidential vote unleashed weeks of ethnic violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. "Let me assure you that there is real momentum," said Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, who...

The son of Kenya’s founding father declared Friday he was innocent of all charges after he appeared with two other suspects before judges at the International Criminal Court for allegedly orchestrating postelection violence that killed 1,000 people Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s deputy prime minister and finance minister, appeared at the preliminary hearing along with Cabinet secretary Francis Muthaura and the country’s former police chief Mohammed...

NAIROBI - The opposition called yesterday for three days of rallies to protest Kenya's disputed presidential election, igniting fears of more deadly violence. Police said they would not allow the demonstrations. The calls for rallies in 28 places across the East African nation came after days of international mediation failed to break a deadlock between President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, who came in second after a tally that foreign observers say was rigged. Now, it seems, the opposition sees little recourse other than taking to the streets.

NAIROBI - Kenya's government tentatively agreed yesterday to create a prime minister's post to be filled by the opposition, moving the East African country a step closer to ending weeks of deadly clashes over the disputed presidential election. A political deal was expected today after weeks of international pressure on both sides to share power, government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo said. "We have more or less agreed on a nonexecutive prime minister but with some substantial meaningful responsibilities," he said, adding that there were several other elements of a power-sharing deal to be...

NAIROBI - Protesters set fire to a government office building yesterday, forcing workers to climb out windows as former UN chief Kofi Annan tried to resolve the dispute over Kenya's presidential election. The melee started after police fired tear gas at stone-throwing youths during a memorial service organized by the opposition to honor those killed since the Dec. 27. election. President Mwai Kibaki won a second five-year term, but the opposition and international observers say the vote tally was rigged.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Legislators chose an opposition member as parliament speaker in a close vote yesterday, giving a victory to foes of Kenya's president as they prepared for mass protest rallies that raised fears of new violence over last month's disputed election. Soldiers stood guard outside the National Assembly, and security forces were expected to be out in force today to guard against unrest with the start of three days of demonstrations against President Mwai Kibaki. The legislative session was the first time that Kibaki and opposition...

NAIROBI, Kenya - A solution to the dispute over the presidential election must be found "for the sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa," the former United Nations chief said yesterday. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan will try to bring President Mwai Kibaki and his main challenger, Raila Odinga, together after the Dec. 27 election that foreign observers say was deeply flawed. "I am confident that, in this crucial endeavor, we can count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness, and judgment of the leaders," Annan said.

KISUMU, Kenya - US presidential hopeful Barack Obama's uncle has been a prisoner in his own home, trapped by post-election violence that has left more than 600 Kenyans dead. Said Obama lives in this western city, near a slum that has been a flashpoint for violence. Police shot and killed four people here Wednesday while trying to prevent thousands of rowdy protesters from entering the city center. "Yesterday I was confined to my house, it was just too dangerous to go out," Said Obama said.

NAIROBI - Kenya's government tentatively agreed yesterday to create a prime minister's post to be filled by the opposition, moving the East African country a step closer to ending weeks of deadly clashes over the disputed presidential election. A political deal was expected today after weeks of international pressure on both sides to share power, government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo said. "We have more or less agreed on a nonexecutive prime minister but with some substantial meaningful responsibilities," he said, adding that there were several other elements...

NAIROBI - The Peace Corps said yesterday it has suspended operations in Kenya after weeks of post-election violence, another blow to confidence as business leaders voiced concerns over the turmoil's effect on the economy. Unrest has devastated the nation's once-impressive economy, decimating its vital tourism industry and prompting foreign companies to consider pulling out, business leaders said. The Peace Corps said it was withdrawing its remaining 58 volunteers. Eighty-six volunteers were sent home in January after clashes first erupted.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya's political rivals announced yesterday a 10-point plan to resolve their political crisis after weeks of negotiations, but they remained deadlocked over power sharing. The two sides made progress on other issues, including an agreement for an independent review of the election at the center of their dispute. The Dec. 27 presidential vote unleashed weeks of ethnic violence that left more than 1,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. "Let me assure you that there is real momentum," said Kofi Annan, former UN secretary general, who...

NAIROBI - Rival factions in Kenya's political crisis reportedly agreed yesterday to write a new constitution, a move that could allow for power-sharing as part of a deal aimed at ending weeks of violence in this East African country. The announcement of an agreement occurred as President Bush said he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya to demand an immediate halt to bloodshed that has killed more than 1,000 people since the disputed Dec. 27 presidential election.

CHEPKIOYO, Kenya - Kenya's opposition leader demanded yesterday that the president resign and new elections be held, moving away from a conciliatory stance that had brought hope for a political settlement to end weeks of postelection violence. Raila Odinga, who accuses President Mwai Kibaki of stealing the Dec. 27 election, spoke in his traditional power base in western Kenya before cheering supporters at the funeral of a slain opposition lawmaker. Kibaki "must step down or there must be a reelection - in this I will not be compromised," Odinga shouted in East Africa's common...

NAIROBI - The Peace Corps said yesterday it has suspended operations in Kenya after weeks of post-election violence, another blow to confidence as business leaders voiced concerns over the turmoil's effect on the economy. Unrest has devastated the nation's once-impressive economy, decimating its vital tourism industry and prompting foreign companies to consider pulling out, business leaders said. The Peace Corps said it was withdrawing its remaining 58 volunteers. Eighty-six volunteers were sent home in January after clashes first erupted.

NAIROBI - Protesters set fire to a government office building yesterday, forcing workers to climb out windows as former UN chief Kofi Annan tried to resolve the dispute over Kenya's presidential election. The melee started after police fired tear gas at stone-throwing youths during a memorial service organized by the opposition to honor those killed since the Dec. 27. election. President Mwai Kibaki won a second five-year term, but the opposition and international observers say the vote tally was rigged.

NAIROBI, Kenya - A solution to the dispute over the presidential election must be found "for the sake of Kenya and its people and for the sake of Africa," the former United Nations chief said yesterday. Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan will try to bring President Mwai Kibaki and his main challenger, Raila Odinga, together after the Dec. 27 election that foreign observers say was deeply flawed. "I am confident that, in this crucial endeavor, we can count on the will, maturity, resourcefulness, and judgment of the leaders," Annan said.

NAIROBI - Thousands of Kenyans enraged over delays in announcing the country's next president burned down homes and attacked political rivals with sticks and machetes yesterday, tainting a vote that was initially seen as a beacon of hope for democracy in Africa. Three people were shot to death during protests in Migori, 360 miles west of Nairobi, said area Police Chief Grace Kaindi. In the capital, Nairobi, hundreds of supporters of opposition candidate Raila Odinga marching on the electoral commission were beaten back by police using tear gas. Thursday's vote pitted...

NAIROBI - Rival factions in Kenya's political crisis reportedly agreed yesterday to write a new constitution, a move that could allow for power-sharing as part of a deal aimed at ending weeks of violence in this East African country. The announcement of an agreement occurred as President Bush said he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya to demand an immediate halt to bloodshed that has killed more than 1,000 people since the disputed Dec. 27 presidential election.

KISUMU, Kenya - US presidential hopeful Barack Obama's uncle has been a prisoner in his own home, trapped by post-election violence that has left more than 600 Kenyans dead. Said Obama lives in this western city, near a slum that has been a flashpoint for violence. Police shot and killed four people here Wednesday while trying to prevent thousands of rowdy protesters from entering the city center. "Yesterday I was confined to my house, it was just too dangerous to go out," Said Obama said.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Legislators chose an opposition member as parliament speaker in a close vote yesterday, giving a victory to foes of Kenya's president as they prepared for mass protest rallies that raised fears of new violence over last month's disputed election. Soldiers stood guard outside the National Assembly, and security forces were expected to be out in force today to guard against unrest with the start of three days of demonstrations against President Mwai Kibaki. The legislative session was the first time that Kibaki and opposition...