The United States is urging Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga to call off an "inauguration ceremony" next week meant to protest President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election. A U.S. Embassy statement calls the Dec. 12 ceremony "extra-constitutional" and urges the opposition to work within Kenya's laws to pursue electoral and other reforms. He met with government and opposition leaders. The opposition calls its planned swearing-in of Odinga "lawful" and blames so-called "stolen" elections for polarizing the country. The U.S. statement also urges Kenya's security forces to show "maximum restraint" after months of deadly clashes with opposition supporters.

Source: ABC News December 06, 2017 13:33 UTC