Jan 7 (Reuters) - The total death toll from post-election violence in Kenya has reached 486, more than 100 higher than previous estimates, according to a government committee.

The humanitarian services committee was set up to deal with the crisis in Kenya since a Dec. 27 vote that gave President Mwai Kibaki a disputed re-election.

Here is a chronology of the recent turmoil:

Dec. 27 - Voters elect a new president and parliament. Most opinion polls give a lead to Kibaki's opposition rival Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement.

Dec. 30 - Kibaki wins close-run election by the narrow margin of 230,000 votes and is hurriedly sworn in.

Dec. 31 - The government floods the streets with security forces and keeps a ban on live TV broadcasts after riots convulse the nation.

Jan. 1 - A mob torches a church, killing about 30 villagers.

Jan. 2 - Kibaki's government accuses Odinga's backers of "ethnic cleansing" as the death toll from tribal violence reaches some 300.

Jan. 3 - Attorney General Amos Wako calls for an independent probe into the election. After hours of police clashes with thousands of protesters, the opposition call off a planned demonstration.

-- South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu begins to try to mediate an end to the crisis.

Jan 4 - It is announced that Ghanaian President John Kufuor, chair of the African Union, will visit Kenya in an attempt to end the explosion of ethnic violence.

-- Kibaki says he would accept a re-run of the disputed election if a court orders it.

-- The United Nations says the unrest has uprooted 250,000 people, and that about 100,000 displaced people in the Northern Rift Valley could face starvation. The International Red Cross makes an urgent appeal for aid.

Jan 5 - Kibaki says he is ready to form a government of national unity to end the turmoil, but the opposition rejects the offer.

Jan 7 - The death toll reaches 486 according to a government committee.

-- Odinga calls off planned protests after meeting U.S. envoy Jendayi Frazer, saying the mediation process is about to begin. (Writing by Jijo Jacob and David Cutler, London Editorial Reference Unit)

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