Nairobi, Sunday

KENYA'S three main opposition parties met today to form an alliance to

block President Daniel arap Moi from taking over power after victory in

the first multi-party elections in 26 years.

Officials said the leaders from the opposition Ford-Asili, Ford-Kenya

and the Democratic Party of Kenya (DP), who have rejected the results of

last Tuesday's polls, were ''working . . . to block Moi without causing

civil strife''.

They said differences which split the opposition leaders before the

elections had resurfaced and they were now quibbling over who should

lead the new alliance.

The leaders of the three main opposition parties which challenged the

ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu) have rejected results

returning Moi to power.

Only a handful of results are still awaited. Latest returns gave Moi

1.8 million votes to a combined 3.2 million for the three main

opposition leaders. The three parties also took just under half the 188

seats in Parliament.

The High Court prevented elections in five constituencies because of a

petition by opposition candidates who said they were physically

prevented from presenting their nomination papers.

''They are forming an alliance against Moi. They believe they

represent the majority of Kenya's voting population and their say is

substantial,'' a senior DP aide said.

''After rejecting the results, they have to reach a programme of

action their supporters must follow without recourse to violence,'' the

aide added.

University academics say without recourse to ''civil disobedience''

the opposition leaders have no way of forcing their will if they do not

take their seats in parliament.

DP secretary-general John Keen said it would be wrong for opposition

chiefs to call for violence ''because had they united earlier they would

not have fallen at the polls''.

The Commonwealth's poll monitors criticised the government and

National Electoral Commission for widespread irregularities in the

electoral process but fell short of rejecting them.

It has asked the government and the opposition to reach an agreement

to avert impending crisis.

''It is my earnest hope, and that of the entire Commonwealth, that

following the election, Government and political leaders will find ways

to work together for the peace, health, prosperity, and unity of

Kenya,'' said Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

His statement was issued a day before Anyaoku flew to the capital for

talks with all sides to defuse tension.

Moi has dismissed their allegations and vowed to crack down on any

opposition attempts to foment unrest.

Nairobi and other urban centres were back to normal after a week

dominated by the elections. Most commercial and business houses in the

capital are expected to reopen tomorrow.--Reuter.