国际英语资讯:Police shoot dead anti-poll protester in west Kenya

KISUMU, Kenya, Oct. 27 -- Kenyan police shot dead one person and injured several others on Friday during clashes with the youths protesting against the repeat presidential polls held in Bungoma, western Kenya, on Thursday.

A senior county police officer who confirmed the incident said the victim was shot at Mteremko estate in Bungoma town following running battles between police and locals.

"Our security officers shot dead the man at Mteremko Estate in Bungoma town during running battles with the youth over disputed repeat polls," the officer who declined to be named told Xinhua.

Protests against the repeat poll continued to rock parts of western Kenya on Friday after opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga asked his supporters to boycott the election.

The latest killing brings to six the total number of people killed by police in the repeat presidential election chaos that rocked Kenya's opposition strongholds.

Homa Bay Teaching and Referral Hospital chief executive officer Meshack Liru confirmed Friday that a man who was shot by police on Thursday has succumbed to his injuries while three others are in critical condition.

The police however insists only one person was killed in Homa Bay over the disputed presidential elections but promised to release a comprehensive statement later on the death toll.

Meanwhile, political and religious leaders from western Kenya on Friday have urged the electoral commission to cancel the repeat presidential election set to be conducted in four counties in Western Kenya, citing security concerns.

Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o decried the loss of lives and serious injuries in Kisumu in the repeat presidential elections and called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to shelve plans to have the election conducted against the wish of some voters on Saturday.

"One university student was killed in Kombewa last (Thursday) night and two others were killed here in Kisumu," Nyong'o told journalists in Kisumu, adding that 42 others who had been beaten up or molested by police sustained injuries.

Violent confrontations ensued on Friday between police and protesters who engaged security officers in running battles while protesting against the disputed election which was postponed in Kisumu, Siaya, Migori and Homa Bay counties.