The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Nairobi

Kenya's opposition said Friday it would launch an economic boycott of companies linked to embattled President Mwai Kibaki after staging a final day of protests over his disputed re-election.

Riot and paramilitary police maintained their tight grip on Nairobi and western opposition strongholds and prepared to face off with protestors for the third day running.

According to police, 14 people have been killed since the nationwide rallies kicked off on Wednesday, sparking international fears the east African nation -- once a beacon of regional stability -- would further sink into chaos.

But the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of opposition leader Raila Odinga announced that the protests would end on Friday, arguing that ordinary citizens were paying too heavy a price. "Today is the last day of demonstrations. We have seen a lot of suffering caused by reckless police action against peaceful protestors," ODM spokesman Salim Lone told AFP.

Kenyan police opened fire on crowds, fired tear gas and beat protestors, drawing accusations from the opposition and rights group that blind and excessive force was being used.

The police have banned all rallies and vowed to crack down on anyone attempting to join demonstrations.

"No amount of propaganda will deter the force from executing its legal mandate with a view to providing a secure environment," police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said in a statement. However the opposition movement announced a new tactic to increase pressure on Kibaki, saying it would seek to undermine a government packed with Kibaki's closest allies by targeting their sources of funding.

"We are now moving on to a new phase of the struggle and this will include initiating (an) economic boycott by consumers of large companies owned by hardliners around Mr Kibaki," Lone told AFP.

Among the brands targeted by ODM, Lone mentioned Brookside Dairies -- a large company owned by Local Government Minister Uhuru Kenyatta -- as well as the Citi Hoppa public transport company, Kenya Bus Services and Equity Bank. All the companies are owned by leading members of Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe, which has dominated the country's political and economic life for years.