NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and five others who had been charged with crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court are holding a rally attended by thousands to celebrate the withdrawal of the charges against them.

The rally has been opposed by opposition leader Raila Odinga and some members of civic organizations who say it does not respect the suffering of the victims of violence in which more than 1,000 people died and 600,000 others were evicted from their homes following a disputed presidential election late 2007.

Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, who were on opposing sides of the conflict, said Saturday that their coalition is a testimony to their commitment to reduce tensions between the political and ethnic groups.