In pictures: Kenyan police battle protesters

Kenyan police used tear gas and water cannon on Monday to disperse opposition supporters demanding a change of leadership at the electoral commission ahead of a vote due next year.

Local media reported at least one killed in Kisumu in the west of the country, while police in Nairobi and the second city of Mombasa fought running battles with small groups of protesters.

The opposition CORD party claimed several people killed, but there was no immediate police confirmation of any casualties.

The opposition claimed in a statement that its supporters were "killed in various parts of the country," without giving a number

 

 

Police had banned the planned demonstrations

 

 

The clashes followed violent protests in the city centre last week and the acrid smell of tear gas filled the city's usually traffic-clogged streets

 

 

They used water cannon to douse people who did not move quickly enough along a nearby pedestrian overpass

 

 

In Nairobi's Kibera slum, police faced off with dozens of demonstrators who blocked the road with burning tyres, with some hurling rocks

 

 

Police also fired tear gas cannisters and stun grenades to disperse groups of prosters

 

"Innocent Kenyans have lost lives today," opposition CORD party leader Raila Odinga told reporters

 

 

 "We must condemn this in the strongest terms possible," added Odinga

 

 

 

 

SCHOOL CHILDREN CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF PROTESTS

 

This woman carrying a child walks past riot policemen during the demonstration

 

 

Riot policemen run past timid-looking school children during the clashes

 

 

While a protester carrying a rock walks casually past a barricade of burning tyres, this child is hurriedly led away from the chaos