The dispute over President Mwai Kibaki's re-election in Kenya moves to parliament today as the government and opposition attempt to control the legislature.
Roads were closed and riot police surrounded the building in downtown Nairobi from early morning before the opening session of the new parliament, scheduled to start at 2.30 pm local time.
In the 222-seat parliament, the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) commands the highest number of seats - 99.
It hopes to elect its candidate, Kenneth Marende, as speaker in the first business today.
Later, it aims to block the government's work and possibly seek a vote of no confidence in Kibaki. It has even threatened to occupy the government's seats.
Former UN head Kofi Annan was also due to fly into Nairobi at the head of a group of "eminent Africans" to try and mediate between Mr Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, who says he was robbed of the presidency in the December 27th vote.
Accompanying Mr Annan are Graca Machel, wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa.
Turmoil since the presidential and parliamentary elections has killed at least 612 people in Kenya, dented its democratic credentials, amd slowed one of Africa's brightest economies.
Western powers have complained of irregularities in the presidential vote count and want a power-sharing arrangement.