KENYA PROTESTS: UN calls for calm as Odinga defies calls to accept defeat

The United Nations has called for calm in Kenya and has urged defeated opposition leader Raila Odinga to accept defeat after losing Tuesdays election to incumbent leader Uhuru Kenyatta.

UN secretary-general, Antonio Guterres has urged Odinga to “send a clear message to his supporters urging them to refrain from violence,” a statement on Saturday said.

Guterres’ message was also echoed by Boris Johnson, British foreign secretary.

“We join the Kenyan people in mourning those who have died, calling on those with influence to exercise restraint at this difficult time to ensure calm, and to honour the Kenyans who turned out in such number to vote to determine their future,” said Johnson.

Read also: KENYA: Calm restored after killing of 3 opposition supporters in clash with cops

However, Odinga has defied calls for calm after he called for a strike to support his claim to the presidency and accused the ruling party of “spilling the blood of innocent people”.

A day after Kenyatta was declared the winner of the presidential poll as police opened fire to disperse protesters who blocked roads and set up barricades in the capital, Nairobi, on Saturday.

According to Kenyan human rights watchdog, at least 26 people have been killed in the post-election violence, while oppostion leaders claim the death toll is much higher.

 

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