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Kenyan Police Block Protest With Tear Gas

Tutu meets with Odinga; rally called off to avert bloodshed

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 3, 2008 6:17 AM CST
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(Newser) – Kenyan riot police unleashed tear gas and water cannons on protesters attempting to gather in a Nairobi park for a rally for Raila Odinga, the Kenyan presidential candidate who disputes his narrow defeat in last week's election. The Times of London reports that Odinga called off his "people's rally" and told supporters to disperse after paramilitary police sealed off the park and blocked protesters from the city's main slum.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu met with Odinga today in an attempt to foster a breakthrough in the election debacle that has left 300 dead and more than 100,000 displaced. The office of President Mwai Kibaki, however, has said he has no plans to meet the archbishop. Odinga told reporters that Kibaki was the perpetrator of a "civilian coup" but that he would accept an interim government preceding a re-run of December's vote.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters jump from a pick up truck clouded in tear gas during clashes with riot police in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) supporters jump from a pick up truck clouded in tear gas during clashes with riot police in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)   (Associated Press)
Riot police stand behind a barricade set on fire by supporters of Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally...
Riot police stand behind a barricade set on fire by supporters of Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons...   (Associated Press)
Kibera slum inhabitants and supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga march in the streets of Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally that many fear could worsen...
Kibera slum inhabitants and supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga march in the streets of Nairobi, Kenya Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back...   (Associated Press)
Kiosks burn after being set on fire by supporters of Raila Odinga's party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally that...
Kiosks burn after being set on fire by supporters of Raila Odinga's party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement, (ODM) holding a poster of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga shout slogans on the street of Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a...
Supporters of the Orange Democratic Movement, (ODM) holding a poster of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga shout slogans on the street of Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear...   (Associated Press)
Residents attempt to put out a fire in shops allegedly set by the opposition leader Raila Odinga supporters, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally...
Residents attempt to put out a fire in shops allegedly set by the opposition leader Raila Odinga supporters, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga destroys a billboard poster of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally that many...
Supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga destroys a billboard poster of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga carry his poster, left, as others attempt to set fire on the poster of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding...
Supporters of the opposition leader Raila Odinga carry his poster, left, as others attempt to set fire on the poster of Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police...   (Associated Press)
A resident reacts as he attempts to put out a fire on shops allegedly set by the opposition leader Raila Odinga supporters, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call...
A resident reacts as he attempts to put out a fire on shops allegedly set by the opposition leader Raila Odinga supporters, in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2007. Riot police fired tear gas and water...   (Associated Press)
Protesters run away from tear gas in Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding an opposition call for a million-man rally that many fear could worsen the violence that has...
Protesters run away from tear gas in Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons Thursday to beat back surging crowds of Kenyan protesters heeding...   (Associated Press)
Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) run to avoid tear gas in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) run to avoid tear gas in Nairobi, Kenya, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)   (Associated Press)
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