NAIROBI, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The Kenyan ruling coalition government is divided over how to deal with thousands of people arrested in connection with the post-election violence which was sparked by the country's disputed presidential poll last December.

    The latest division has erupted between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki over whether to grant amnesty to Kenyans linked to post-election violence. Kibaki has maintained that there will be no reprieve for those found guilty of the deadly violence, while Odinga said amnesty was a determinant to reconciliation.

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

    "We should not spare them or those who recruit youth to cause mayhem. Investigations are going on. Once investigations are completed, those found innocent will be released without further delay but those who committed the murder of innocent Kenyans or engaged themselves in reckless destruction of property should not expect any mercy," said Kibaki.

    However, Odinga said later at a rally on the following day that the youth arrested over their alleged participation in the chaos ought to be released.

    He insisted that the youth were only reacting to irregularities witnessed in the presidential vote tally and called for actions from the Electoral Commission of Kenya and the police.

    "The vast majority of youths who are in custody killed or raped no one. They were defending democracy and electoral justice in the only manner available to them: demonstrations," he said in a statement, calling for their release.

    The positions adopted by Kibaki and Odinga sparked a debate on the issue of amnesty for post-election violence suspects on Tuesday even as the government sought to clarify that only 137 serious cases were pending in court.

    Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said late Tuesday the suspects who are facing charges of murder, rape, arson and grievous bodily harm are from all political affiliations.

    Mutua insisted that the police are not holding any suspects forany other charges arising from the election period.

    Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Anyang' Nyong'o announced that the prime minister was due to meet with party members to press for the release of the suspects.

    Nyong'o, who is also medical services minister, told a press conference in Nairobi that the party would continue to press for the release of suspects whom he claims were "innocent".

    "This amnesty issue is very serious, that is why the party leader has convened a meeting to chart the way forward. The meeting will be held sometimes next week," he said.

    But Justice, National Cohesion, and Constitutional Affairs Minister Martha Karua reiterated that persons being held over the post-poll violence should be prosecuted. Karua said for true national healing and reconciliation, the rule of law must be upheld to the letter.

    Thousands of people are still being held by the police in connection with violence in December and January that killed over 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

    Many of those arrested were from the Kalenjin ethnic group in the Rift Valley or from the western city of Kisumu.

    Several of the lawmakers from these areas are calling for amnesty for those being held, a call that was echoed by the prime minister during his visit to the Rift Valley.

    The police say 137 people have been charged with capital offences, while about 4,600 petty crimes like theft and looting have also been dealt with by Kenyan courts since the violence that paralyzed the nation during January and February.

    Some political analysts say the deep rift within the government could potentially hamper developmental activities and reconciliation after the election dispute.

    "Kenyans have received this news with mixed reaction," said a political analyst who sought anonymity. He said Kenyans have suspected the coalition government between Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) and the ODM faces enormous challenges in working together.

    "All along we have known that the coalition government, which includes the PNU and the ODM, is going to be difficult, but what is making it even more difficult is the issue of amnesty. Both sides have very strong feelings about the amnesty issue," he said.

    The analyst said some Kenyans are concerned the ongoing impasse would take a long time to be resolved.