NAIROBI, Jan 3: Kenya’s President Mwai Kibaki appealed for calm and offered to talk to political rivals on Thursday after another day of battles between police and protesters disputing his re-election.

“I am ready to have dialogue with the concerned parties once the nation is calm and the political temperatures are lowered enough for constructive and productive engagement,” Kibaki told reporters.

The turmoil has already cost at least 300 lives and threatens to wreck Kenya’s reputation as one of Africa’s most promising democracies, strongest economies and favourite tourist destinations.

Warning Kenya was “quickly degenerating into a catastrophe of unimaginable proportions,” Attorney General Amos Wako said both sides should agree on an independent person or body to carry out “a proper tally” of votes from the Dec 27 poll.

“Such an exercise will go a long way in assuaging the inflamed passions of people,” Wako said. But he added that while the tally should help political mediation, only a court could overturn Kibaki’s win.

African Union chair Ghana sought to build consensus around the continent for mediation. The European Union and United States urged both sides to seek a coalition government.

After hours of police clashes with thousands of protesters trying to reach central Nairobi, the opposition called off a planned demonstration in Uhuru (Freedom) Park, saying it wanted to save lives.

But another protest was scheduled for Tuesday.

Shots cracked out as police fired over the heads of protesters on Thursday morning and smoke billowed over the city slums.—Reuters