Kenya opposition wins parliament speaker vote

Nairobi, January 16: Kenya's opposition candidate on Tuesday was elected as parliament speaker in a close-fought vote held during the first parliament session since last month's disputed presidential poll.

The parliament's clerk announced that Kenneth Marende, supported by opposition leader Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), had mustered 105 votes.

The candidate supported by President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) and its allies, Francis ole Kaparo, garnered 101 votes.