Nine shot dead by police in fresh Kenyan clashes

KENYA’S rival factions yesterday began tackling the thorniest issues in negotiations to end the bloodshed sparked by disputed elections that have claimed more than 1,000 lives.

Fresh violence in western Kenya left 12 dead, nine of whom were shot by police cracking down on gangs of youths who have attacked houses and other property, police sources said.

Former UN secretary general Kofi Annan warned tough bargaining lay ahead for the government and the opposition who have been trying to negotiate an end to one of Kenya’s worst crises since independence 44 years ago.