Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki, left, and PM Raila Odinga, 17 Apr 2008

The president and prime minister of Kenya are at odds over whether to grant amnesty to Kenyans linked to post-election violence.

President Mwai Kibaki said Sunday that anyone who destroyed property, or committed murder or rape will face the full force of the law.

But Prime Minister Raila Odinga insists police should unconditionally release youths jailed for the unrest that erupted after the disputed December elections.

His Orange Democratic Movement said Tuesday that the majority of youth in custody killed or raped no one. It says the youths were defending democracy and electoral justice in the only way they could - through demonstrations.

Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga formed a power-sharing government in April, after both claimed victory in the December elections. The election dispute triggered riots and ethnic violence that killed at least 1,200 people.

More than 300,000 others were displaced.

Mr. Odinga says the jailed youth are scapegoats for the police and officials, who he says committed the most violent crimes.

Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.