Kenya Violence Death Toll Reaches 486

The official death toll from a week of violence in Kenya has climbed to 486, the government said today as it tried to prevent a planned opposition rally.

The figure was issued by the Ministry of Special Programs, which also claimed 255,000 people had been displaced by the violence which broke out after the country's disputed presidential elections.

The government claimed there would be more violence unless a planned demonstration against the controversial re-election of president Mwai Kibaki is called off.

Supporters of opposition canidate Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement were planning to hold a similar rally last week, but it was postponed after demonstrators were dispersed with teargas and water cannon.

The government claims that a rally would ignite "tension and hooliganism".

Jendayi Frazer, the top US diplomat in Africa, was due to meet Odinga today, amid signals that he is willing to compromise with the government.

The foreign secretary, David Miliband, is due to make a Commons statement about the situation in Kenya later today.

More details to follow.