[Kwg-list] "Deal offers fresh hope to Kenya"

[Michael Willekes]

*Joy As Kibaki, Raila Sign Power Sharing Deal*
*Posted to the web 28 February 2008
Patrick Wachira, Nairobi
*
Finally, the much-awaited power sharing deal that has been shrouded in
controversy, but which held the only key to a peaceful and agreeable
settlement of the post-election impasse has been signed.  Both President
Kibaki and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader, Mr Raila Odinga,
appended their signatures on the historic deal that saw the return of the
Office of the Prime Minister scrapped by Jomo Kenyatta in 1964.

News that a deal had been struck touched off a carnival mood in Orange
strongholds, relief in many parts of the country and general optimism to a
battered and anxious population. The world watched Dr Kofi Annan and his
UN-backed Panel of African Eminent Persons and African Union chairman Jakaya
Kikwete as they brought together the erstwhile rivals in a ceremony beamed
live on TV.

In a nutshell, the deal - which will be entrenched in the Constitution -
created the post of an executive prime minister, who will supervise
ministers and lead Government in Parliament. It also provides for the
sharing of Cabinet positions based on the strength of parties in the House.

http://allafrica.com/stories/200802280952.html



*Deal offers fresh hope to Kenya *
*By Noel Mwakugu
BBC News, Nairobi *

Many Kenyans had feared the imminent outbreak of renewed violence when peace
talks were suspended on Monday but instead there is now fresh hope after the
two rival leaders agreed to share power.  Both President Mwai Kibaki and
opposition leader Raila Odinga gave ground under massive international
pressure and the intervention of African Union Chairman and Tanzanian
President Jakaya Kikwete.

They unveiled a deal that is intended to steer the country towards
much-needed reconciliation after allegations of rigging in last December's
elections. However, as chief mediator Kofi Annan said: "The journey is far
from over. In fact it is only beginning."  A peaceful destination will only
be reached only if Mr Kibaki and Mr Odinga show the political will.

After such a bitter dispute, which has cost 1,500 lives, trust between the
two men has been in short supply - this is why it took more than a month of
tortuous talks for them to reach a deal.

This will not be the first time that the two leaders have formed a joint
government - they did it in 2002 but it lasted barely three years before
they fell out.  While Mr Odinga looks set to take up the new post of prime
minister, it is not clear who prevails in the event of a disagreement
between him and President Kibaki.  If the deal is strong enough to overcome
that hurdle, the new optimism will prove well-founded.

All eyes in a country that has been mourning for the past two months now
turn to parliament, where MPs convene next Thursday to vote for the National
Accord and Reconciliation Act that will usher in these changes.  The first
challenge facing the two leaders once the act is operational is to appoint a
new cabinet, whose members will be shared out equally.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7269769.stm
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