Kenyan police shot dead two protesters in the capital's flashpoint Mathare slum Wednesday, as unrest broke out after opposition accusations the general election was rigged, a senior officer told AFP.

"They were part of a group that was protesting in the area and officers were sent to quell the chaos," the officer said on condition of anonymity.

"We are told many of them were also thieves who took advantage and could not even obey the police. Two have been fatally wounded." 

An AFP photographer saw one of the victims, with a massive gunshot wound to his head.