Nairobi: Kenyan police have set up a tight security net in central Nairobi today ahead of an expected showdown between opposition and pro-government lawmakers in the first session of the new parliament.

Forces from the General Service Unit (GSU), an elite paramilitary force, were deployed in the business district and around the main park in the capital to prevent any demonstrations.

Roadblocks were in position to allow a quick lockdown of the city centre. The opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of Raila Odinga has refused to recognise Mwai Kibaki as president, charging that the incumbent rigged his way to re-election in the December 27 polls.

ODM lawmakers have vowed to sit on the government benches in parliament today to protest Kibaki's re-election. In parliamentary elections held the same day last month, ODM trounced Kibaki's party and bundled several key government figures out of parliament, but still fell short of securing an outright majority in the chamber.

Alliances with smaller parties have been in the works in recent days, as both sides are expected to go head-to-head in the vote for the key post of parliament speaker today.

Source : PTI