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Protests erupt in Kenya over assassination plot

Nairobi - Demonstrations erupted in Kenya's largest slum on Tuesday over footage appearing to show a pro-government legislator saying top opposition leader Raila Odinga can be assassinated, an opposition official and witnesses said.

Analysts say the remarks reflect long-simmering tribal tensions that are heating up again, eight years after they exploded into violence that left more than 1 000 people dead in the aftermath of a disputed presidential election.

Kenya is holding general elections next year.

A coffin marked with the name of the legislator, Moses Kuria, was burned during Tuesday's protests, said the head of the Orange Democratic Party in Kibera slum, Sam Ochieng. Odinga is the party's leader and Kibera is an opposition stronghold.

A reporter saw police fire tear gas at demonstrators, who responded with throwing stones.

Kuria and seven other legislators have been questioned by police over remarks that police say may amount to hate speech. The legislators include four opposition members of parliament who threatened to storm the office of the police chief if he doesn't take action against Kuria.



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