Opposition leaders tear-gassed in protest

KENYA

NAIROBI, (AP):

Kenyan opposition leaders have been tear-gassed as they led hundreds of supporters to the electoral commission offices to demand that it is disbanded for being biased.

Nairobi police chief Japheth Koome disclosed yesterday that the opposition Coalition for Reforms and Democracy tried to raid the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission offices and evict the commissioners. He said police were forced to use tear gas to disperse them.

The leaders included former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and former Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula.

The National Council of Churches Kenya, the umbrella body representing protestant churches, said electoral commission must be disbanded in order to have free, fair and peaceful elections next year. The Central Organisation of Trade Unions made a similar call.