Kenya opposition presses ahead with protests

Nairobi: Kenya's opposition plans more street protests on Tuesday to try to force out President Mwai Kibaki, while meeting international mediators to discuss how to end the conflict that has killed more than 300 people.

In Mombasa, supporters of opposition leader Raila Odinga held an anti-government protest that was dispersed by Kenyan police.

Odinga said on Monday he had called off banned protests scheduled for Tuesday because a "mediation process" was about to begin, but supporters say they will not give up on demonstrations despite a police ban.

The death toll from post-election violence in Kenya has risen to 486, from 300, and at least 255,000 people have been displaced, the government said on Monday.

Odinga—who claims he is Kenya's real president was to meet US diplomat for Africa, Jendayi Frazer, on Monday.

Protests against Kibaki's disputed re-election brought Kenya to a standstill last week, as police battled furious Odinga supporters. Dozens have died in protests.

"Nobody wants to spill blood, but democracy has no shortcut," Odinga aide Tony Gachoka said. "If you don't engage (on the street), the dictator entrenches."

Kibaki's government accused Odinga of "grandstanding" and setting impossible conditions for talks to end the unrest. Odinga alleged that the poll was fraudulent, while observers said the election failed to meet democratic standards.

Kibaki has said he is ready to form "a government of national unity", but Odinga wants him to renounce the presidency and hold talks through an international mediator.