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2 shot dead in Kenya as police use live ammunition against protesters

Nairobi - Two people have reportedly been shot dead after Kenyan police allegedly used live ammunition to disperse protesters in the town of Kisumu, which borders Lake Victoria.

The incident happened as demonstrations by the opposition over electoral reforms continued.

The Star reported on Monday that police had used live ammunition to try disperse the protesters.

Photos on social media showed the bodies of the two people lying on the streets.

News24’s Victor Tinto quoted witnesses as saying that one of the deceased was shot in the chest on Oginga Odinga Street, while the other died in Kondele.

Police refused to comment on the matter.

The protests – which are seeking the removal of commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) – which is mandated to conduct elections in Kenya, continued on Monday after a week’s break to pave way for negotiations with the government which, however, failed to kick off.

Police had warned protesters that they would not hesitate to use excessive force to stop protests, which they claimed were illegal, The Daily Nation reported.

However, a court order earlier on Monday had granted the opposition supporters the right to protest, as long as they were peaceful and mindful of others.

News24

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