Kenya faces third day of opposition rallies

By Daniel Wallis

NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyans faced a third day of opposition protests on Friday as the death toll mounted from rallies against President Mwai Kibaki's disputed re-election.

At least eight people have been shot dead by police during two days of demonstrations called by Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

On Thursday, Odinga said officers also killed seven people in Nairobi, including the driver of an ODM legislator.

"The civilized nations of the world must condemn these sorts of things," Odinga told a news conference. "Mr Kibaki should not be allowed to follow Mr Mugabe and take Kenya to the cesspit."

The police deny targeting anyone and say the security forces have shot only looters and rioters who attacked their officers.

The authorities have banned three days of rallies called by ODM, despite calls from Western nations, including the United States and Britain, for it to allow peaceful protests.

The government says tempers are too high and that it fears rallies would degenerate into looting and rioting.

"We are dealing with mob psychology ... The Kenyan police are acting within the laws of this country," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe told reporters on Thursday.

More ODM demonstrations were due on Friday and a likely flashpoint was the mostly Muslim coastal resort of Mombasa.

Odinga's supporters have already fought running battles there with police firing teargas, and they vowed to take to the streets again after Friday prayers.

"POLITICAL DEADLOCK"

Odinga says Kibaki stole victory at polls on December 27 that international observers say fell short of democratic standards. Kibaki's team also accuses Odinga's side of rigging.

The country's rapid slide into crisis has dented its democratic credentials, horrified world powers, scared off tourists and hurt one of Africa's most promising economies.

In the three weeks since the vote, about 650 people have died in killings often targeting members of Kibaki's Kikuyu ethnic group, and in clashes between police and protesters.

A quarter of a million Kenyans have been uprooted.