Fresh Kenyan violence claims 13 lives

A pregnant woman and a three-year-old were among 13 people killed in fresh violence in western Kenya today, according to police.

It is unclear what sparked the violence that saw houses burnt to the ground with occupants inside.

Kenya's political rivals vowed today to hasten talks to resolve longstanding disputes over land and wealth behind a post-election crisis that shattered the country's image as one of Africa's most stable democracies.

Kenyans exhausted by a wave of looting, burning and ethnic killings sparked by a disputed December 27th election have welcomed a power-sharing deal signed last week to end turmoil that has driven away tourists and dampened economic prospects.

Having brokered the deal, former UN boss and chief mediator Kofi Annan urged Kenyans to support the agreement and hold their leaders to the promises - including land and electoral reforms - made to them.

Mr Annan, who handed over day-to-day mediation to Nigeria's ex-foreign minister Oluyemi Adeniji, had said long-term issues should be resolved within a year, but political negotiators are hopeful they could speed up their work.

Parliament is due to meet on Thursday to pass a constitutional amendment to allow for a coalition government led by President Mwai Kibaki. His opposition rival, Raila Odinga, will take a newly created post of prime minister.

Agencies