Annan calls for probe into Kenya abuses

Nairobi: Former UN chief Kofi Annan called for an investigation into "gross and systematic" abuses in Kenya after visiting violence-hit areas on Saturday.

"We saw gross and systematic abuse of human rights ... it is essential the facts be established and those responsible be held to account," Annan said.

"The government will have to do whatever it can to increase security," he said.

In Nakuru town on Saturday, ethnic violence continued as armed gangs manned roadblocks and clashes killed at least 25 people in 24 hours.

"I have never experienced this in our country. This is bad," said a mourner outside the mortuary, where 16 burnt bodies were unloaded from a police truck.

Residents said many homes were torched and shops looted as large groups of youths armed with rocks, bows and arrows and homemade guns clashed.