3 dead in Kenya protests:

Three people died during clashes which erupted during opposition protests in two towns in western Kenya, police said late Monday.

Two people died of gunshot wounds in the western town of Siaya, and one from a head injury after falling over while running from tear gas in Kisumu, also in the west.

Police in Siaya opened fire “in self defence” after “a mob with catapults” approached a municipal office, according to a police statement, which said 29 officers were injured in the incident.

Riot police equipped with shields and batons used tear gas and water canon to disperse protesters who also tried to gather in the capital Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa.

The opposition protests, in their fourth week, are organised by the CORD party and aimed at forcing a change of leadership at the country’s election commission ahead of polls due next year. (AFP)