Death Toll In Kenya's Poll Violence Climbs 100

Nairobi, Kenya (AHN) - The death toll in Kenya's post election violence climbs to 100 as tension continues over public mistrust over the result of the presidential elections showing Mwai Kibaki retaining his post, defeating arch rival Raila Odinga.

Mortuary officials reported that about 40 bodies with gun shot wounds have been recovered in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu. There were reports the police fired their guns at protesting supporters of Odinga.

In the coastal town of Mombasa, witnesses say running gun battles between police and rioters were raging in Nairobi slums.

The international community condemned the violence and called on Kibaki to ensure peace is restored in the region.

Washington immediately retracted an earlier statement congratulating Kibaki. The U.S. embassy in Nairobi issued a statement issuing concern over the "serious problems experienced during the vote counting process".

The Canadian government also instructed Ross Hynes, Canada's high commissioner to Kenya, offered Odinga a public show of support by allowing a crowd of journalists to see him meet Odinga by the swimming pool of a Nairobi hotel.

Odinga has call on his one million supporters to march the streets on Thursday to protest the "robbing of his victory."

Authorities have already issued a ban against mass rallies to be organized by Odinga, which was touted as an alternative inauguration to be held in the center of the capital.

Kibaki delivered a New Year's message calling for reconciliation and at the same time warning that his government would "deal decisively with those who breach the peace."