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Kenya: EU Meets Kibaki, Says He's Willing to See Raila
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The East African Standard (Nairobi)
20 January 2008
Posted to the web 20 January 2008
David Ohito And PPS
Nairobi
The standoff between the Government and ODM could ease and then end.
This emerged on Saturday after President Kibaki met a high level European Union delegation and said he is willing to meet ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga soon.
The delegation also announced that it would await the outcome of dialogue between President Kibaki and the ODM leader before taking any action.
EU Commissioner, Mr Louis Michel said that the organisation had not taken any decision yet on what action to take regarding the political crisis.
Addressing a high-powered meeting that included Cabinet ministers, the President reiterated that he was open to dialogue to address the stalemate.
The commissioner said Kenya was an important country in the region, as it has been a shining example for consolidating democracy and a beacon of stability in Africa.
He commended Kenya for conducting the elections peacefully but condemned the post-election violence.
The Commissioner said as a friend of Kenya the EU was hopeful that the current political situation would be resolved through political dialogue.
While supporting the initiative of eminent persons of Africa, the European Union Commissioner said the solution to Kenya's political problem must come from Kenyans themselves.
He noted that although the European Parliament passed a resolution that was not favourable to the Government.
"The EU will not take any precipitating action against Kenya, but will wait for the outcome of the dialogue," said Michel.
The President, however, said any form of violence against innocent Kenyans would not be tolerated.
"The country's security is paramount and the Government will continue beefing up security in affected areas to ensure the lives of wananchi and their property are protected," Kibaki said.
Michel was accompanied by the Head of European Commission delegation in Kenya, Mr Eric Van Der Linden and French Ambassador, Elizabeth Barbie among others.
Present also were, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Moses Wetangula and his Finance counterpart Mr Amos Kimunya, the Head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, Mr Francis Muthaura and Foreign Affairs PS, Mr Thuita Mwangi.
As the meeting took place, ODM announced a fresh strategy in its quest for justice over the disputed presidential elections, with resumption of mass action on Thursday.
The party begins the week with an interdenominational funeral service in Kisumu Town. The party says the ceremony will commemorate the deaths of supporters it claims police shoot dead.
On Friday, the party ended three consecutive days of mass action in which protesters clashed with police. At least 30 people were killed and several others are nursing gunshot wounds countrywide.
It is believed the funeral and prayer meetings would provide an opportunity for the leaders to meet supporters and deliver speeches they have been longing to hold.
Party leader, Mr Raila Odinga said ODM was determined to ensure justice prevails over the disputed presidential poll and said mass action would resume alongside new tactics.
In Nairobi, action returns on Wednesday where a similar mass interdenominational funeral service will be conducted at Ligi Ndogo grounds.
On Thursday, the party plans to hold a peaceful mass action countrywide. The Government has outlawed political assemblies and the mass action is expected to bring a fresh round of confrontation between police and protesters.
Interdenominational prayers countrywide will crown the week.
ODM says the prayers are expected to commemorate "the martyrs who have given their lives in their peaceful struggle for democracy."
Party chairman, Mr Henry Kosgey, flanked by Pentagon members Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr William Ruto, Mr Joseph Nyagah unveiled the events at Pentagon House after they met visiting EU Commissioner, Mr Louis Michel.
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The party also announced a campaign to boycott products from companies perceived to use their wealth to undermine the rule of law and democracy.
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Kibaki underestimated his oppositin's ability to strongly stand up against the election rigging.He only thought of what had so frequently happened in the neighbouring Tanzania where Mkapa committed similar crime during the 2005 general election,(parhaps and the election before that),and the world stood by watching the event with great pleasure. Kibaki compared the Kenyan opposition with that ofTanzania.
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