By now it's clear that there's bad blood and ill faith between the two polaristic forces behind Kenya's current post-election turmoil: Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga. And, given the degree of obstinacy both have exhibited to date, there isn't much hope for a return to peace and normality in the country in the near future.

What ODM is calling "peaceful demonstrations" are not in the real sense peaceful. Right from the word go, ODM's demonstrations have been characterized by waste of human life, targeting Kikuyus and other tribes deemed to be sympathetic to the cause of Kibaki, as well as by raping, looting and vandalizing both private and public property. That has not stopped up to today, and that explains why the police is not trusting them to stage what they call peaceful demos. In reaction, the Kenya police, deemed largely to be on the Kibaki side by virtue of him being a sworn-in president of the Republic, has been unleashing the violence back to the demonstrators - apparently to control their violence - by spraying them with water and teargas, and occasionally shooting a couple of folks to death, I believe, to sound a stern warning to their fellows. To shoot or not to shoot, under the circumstances, must be the police's greatest dilemma. Unfortunately, there is more media focus on police actions and reactions than on the ODM supporters' actions, thus persuading the reader/listener from paying attention to the violent actions the domonstrators are doing in the name of peace and democracy.

So, what there is, Odinga is saying he refuses to recognize the Kibaki government and that until only him (Odinga) sits on the presidential chair, demonstrations will proceed at all odds, no matter how many Kenyans die or how much of kenya's material wealth goes to waste. Kibaki, on his part is apparently saying if Odinga dares do that he (with his supporters) will face dire consequences from the police.

The only way forward to end this stalemate is roundtable negotiations into a deal between the two sides. Otherwise, how long will Kibaki and Odinga sustain this tag-of-war, to what avail, for whose good? Odinga strongly believes that he cannot sit at the same negotiation table with his brother Kibaki without international mediation. But he should realize that unless him and Kibaki have washed their dirty linen at the negotiation table will it be pretty difficult for any outsider to come and wash it for them. The mediator's efforts should be looked to only as supplementary to the two political elephants' peace initiatives and good will. What happened recently when Ghanaian president, J. Kufuor, failed to broker a deal between the two is a testimony to this.

Both men are holding Kenyans' lives to ransom by refusing to abate their personal egos and political ambitions, but one day history will ask them to explain.

There is nothing like peaceful demonstration if what we are witnessing in Kenya is anything to go by. Armed goon in the name of ODM faithfuls are burning homes, churches, hospitals, schools, banks, petrol stations, vehicles, everything. The same group is raping women as well as looting. Its the work of the Kenya Police to protect its citizens because i believe these goons (who are mainly young men) are out to commit criminal activities. The media should focus their attention to the group rather than to the police who are working overtime to protect the hardworking and peace loving Kenyans. I just can't understand why media is quick to condemn the police when they shoot these criminals. These useless demonstrations should be stopped at all cost-even by live bullets when necessary.

I do not think that Mr. Raila and his ODM members are interested with the welfare of kenyans.

They call it peaceful demonstration but what we see on Live television is a bunch of young men running around with all kinds of weapons trying to disturb the peace of the innocent Kenyans.The police did not burn children and women but the so called "ODM peaceful demonsrators did".

Some of them even throw stones at the police men who are just doing their Job to keep peace. Do they have to provoke the Police men.

I think the international commnunity should really look at the motive of the ODM and The KIbaki goverment.

Many Kenyans cannot go to work or even let their kids go to schools. But why?. I am not being unfair To ODM but the whole truth.

These rallies are nothing but just an opportunity for a battle ground.

If the ODMs are feeeling cheated , then let them quitely to court instead of causing alot of fuss . and solve this matter.

Raila is Bringing our country down. More and more people are dying just becasue he wants to be the president .

As a Kenyan i hold Raila Responsible for all the mess in Kenya