KENYA: Police teargas opposition protesters as US express worry ahead of presidential poll

Kenya’s political unrest continues after cops fired tear gas at scores of demonstrators who stormed the capital city of Nairobi and three other cities, calling for the sack of election board officials involved in August’s cancelled presidential vote.

Supporters of the opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition ran for their lives as riot policemen fired tear gas to disperse them during protests in Nairobi.

There were also reports of clashes with police officers in the western opposition stronghold of Kisumu and the port of Mombasa for the second time this week.

Read also: KENYA: Police fire tear gas at protesters calling for sack of electoral commission

Reports say the situation in Kenya is a worry for the U.S. government which is “deeply concerned” about the prevailing political environment in Kenya as police and protesters continue to clash ahead of its presidential election on Oct. 26.

A statement by the US State Department said that while the United States did not back any party or candidate, it fully supports the work of an election board, adding: “Unfortunately, in recent weeks actors on all sides have undermined the electoral commission and stoked tensions.”

The nationwide demonstrations was called by Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, who also demanded that the ruling party is blocked from changing voting laws, to suit Kenyatta.

 

 

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