Kenya trouble ahead

NAIROBI – More anti-government rallies, calling for constitutional reform, are planned in Kenya, officials said yesterday, a day after police clashed with hundreds of demonstrators in two key cities.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), a key partner in the ruling National Rainbow Coalition (NARC) but sidelined by president Mwai Kibaki in a reshuffle on Wednesday, plans to hold a rally in Nairobi Wednesday. “Kibaki has absolutely let down Kenyans.Everybody is angry at him.As at now, they need a new government,” a top party official told AFP, requesting to remain unnamed.A new draft constitution was completed in March which reduced the president’s powers in favour of an executive prime minister, but wrangling among ministers and subsequent court orders have delayed the document being debated in parliament.On Saturday, at least 14 people were injured and up to 100 others arrested after police in Nairobi clashed with demonstrators.And in the western city of Kisumu, 10 people were arrested and several others injured in demonstrations related to the constitution.- Nampa-AFP”Kibaki has absolutely let down Kenyans.Everybody is angry at him.As at now, they need a new government,” a top party official told AFP, requesting to remain unnamed.A new draft constitution was completed in March which reduced the president’s powers in favour of an executive prime minister, but wrangling among ministers and subsequent court orders have delayed the document being debated in parliament.On Saturday, at least 14 people were injured and up to 100 others arrested after police in Nairobi clashed with demonstrators.And in the western city of Kisumu, 10 people were arrested and several others injured in demonstrations related to the constitution.- Nampa-AFP