Thousands in Kenya mourn slain opposition lawmaker

PORT VICTORIA, Kenya: The top U.S. official for Africa warned Saturday that Washington is considering targeted sanctions against those standing in the way of a power-sharing deal to end the political and ethnic violence.

More than 1,000 people have died in the clashes that have erupted in the wake of the disputed December presidential vote, and negotiations have failed to yield an agreement to end the warfare between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki, who claimed victory by a narrow margin, and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who alleges fraud.

President Bush said he was sending Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to meet with Kenya's leaders Monday.

The U.S. "desires to see that there be no violence, that there be a power-sharing agreement that will help this nation resolve its difficulties," he said in Benin on the start of a tour of African nations.

Jendayi Frazer, the assistant secretary of state for African affairs, warned that Washington is considering targeted sanctions against those blocking a peace deal.

"Individuals who are seen as obstructing the effort towards a peace process, a power sharing agreement ... will be subject to possible further sanction by the U.S.," she said Saturday en route to Benin.

"We've talked about a visa ban, but there are other issues and ways in which we can try to encourage them to negotiate in good faith," she said, providing no further details.

In the western Kenyan town of Port Victoria, Odinga promised mourners attending the funeral of slain opposition lawmaker Melitus Mugabe Were that "we will win through the talks."

Were, a member of the Luhya tribe, was shot in the head twice last month. Like many Luhya, he backs Odinga, while many from the Kikuyu tribe support Kibaki.

"We want all tribes to work together to make Kenya strong for tomorrow. All those who have died since the vote was stolen — their blood is on Mr. Kibaki's hands," Odinga said.

Many sported T-shirts in the opposition's trademark bright orange.

"I am bitter about Were's death because we want young people to contribute to running our country," said truck driver Salmin Swaleh. "It is time for change, but the old elite are killing these young guys who would be a force to be reckoned with."

Annan announced Friday that the political rivals had agreed to allow for an independent review of the election, calling it a sign of "real momentum."

However, Odinga and Kibaki remain deadlocked on proposals to share power, and the two sides have not agreed on whether to hold a rerun election as the opposition has demanded.

The preliminary agreement signed Thursday after 48 hours of secret talks calls for an independent review committee to investigate the 2007 presidential election and issue a report in three to six months.

The deal also calls for the two sides to draw up a new constitution within a year, which could pave the way for a prime minister's post or another way to share power.

___

Associated Press writers Ben Feller and Jennifer Loven in Cotonou, Benin, contributed to this report.

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