Kenya's main opposition party called Friday for three days of countrywide anti-government rallies after African Union-led talks failed to resolve an election dispute.

Kenya's opposition leader, Raila Odinga, right, speaks with Anyang' Nyong'o, secretary-general of their party, the Orange Democratic Movement, during a press conference in Nairobi Friday.
(Sayyid Azim/Associated Press)

A spokesperson for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) called on Kenyans to protest the results of the disputed Dec. 27 vote that returned President Mwai Kibaki to power.

"We are asking our countrymen and women with whom we feel such great sadness and solidarity to join us in demonstrations countrywide on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week," ODM secretary general Anyang' Nyong'o told reporters.

Party officials said they expect anti-government demonstrations in 30 places around Kenya, as well as a mass rally in Nairobi on Wednesday.

"Kenyans are entitled to protest peacefully at this blatant violation of their fundamental rights," said Nyong'o.

The country's police commissioner, Mohamed Hussein, has said the rallies won't be allowed to happen. Previous attempts to hold opposition rallies have been blocked by police firing tear gas, water cannons and live bullets over people's heads.

African Union chief John Kufuor had met with Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga earlier this week in Nairobi to break an electoral impasse that sparked two weeks of violence. He left Kenya on Friday.

"Both sides agree that there should be an end to violence," Kufuor said as he left the country, which has been one of Africa's most stable democracies.

Process takes time: Annan

Former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan will take over mediation talks, but isn't expected to arrive in Kenya until next week, said an official from his office.

Speaking Friday in Accra, Ghana, Annan said the process will take time.

"Political negotiation is not an event, it is a process that can take a very long time, or a short time — all depends on the co-operation of the leaders," he said.

Women and children wait for medical help in the Kibera slum in Nairobi.
(Darko Bandic/Associated Press)

"We are not going to impose solutions but work together with [Kibaki and Odinga] to arrive at viable and long-lasting solutions to the problem."

Opposition leaders don't recognize Kibaki's presidential win, while both sides have accused each other of rigging the vote.

The election results quickly sparked violent demonstrations across the country that led to the deaths of between 500 and 1,000 people. As many as 250,000 people have been internally displaced.

Kibaki and Odinga traded blame for the failed AU talks.

Kibaki "offered dialogue," but Odinga was not responsive, a government spokesperson said Thursday. Odinga said Kibaki refused to sign an agreement to establish an interim coalition government and conduct an inquiry into the Electoral Commission of Kenya.

With files from the Associated Press