Churchill Otieno
15 February 2008
The only thing standing in the way of a political deal out of Kenya's crisis is what shape a new "broad based" Government should take, an agreement made public by Kofi Annan today shows.
The Government and the Orange Democratic Movement are "close" to a deal, chief mediator Kofi Annan has said while reassuring of his commitment to the talks.
Mr Annan said while he had not expected to stay so long in Kenya, he will stay to the end – until a "new broadbased Government" is in place.
He said the rival parties had so far agreed on the need for a political settlement on the crisis, an independent review of the presidential election to start by March 15, a wide range of reforms on the Constitution and in the judiciary, police, Electoral Commission, Parliament.
The former UN chief also announced he had requested for a meeting with President Kibaki and ODM's Raila Odinga on Monday so that he can ask them to give their negotiators a clear direction.
Reforms in the Electoral Commission will be informed by the outcome of the independent review of the presidential poll, which is to be conducted by a team including Kenyans and non-Kenyans.
"We agreed there was no way of determining the outcome of the 2007 presidential election, but the facts have to come out," Mr Annan said on the need for the independent review of the election.
The poll probe team once established, will have between three and six months to conclude their work, after which their report should be published within 14 days.
Mr Annan said that while agreeing on the need for a broad based Government, the rival parties had requested for time to consult with their principals on the structure of such a government. The talks will resume in Nairobi on Tuesday.
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Mr Kofi Annan & co should be reminded that being diplomatic does not always solve crises. Mr Kibaki stole the election just like Robert Mugabe did ( and intends to AGAIN in March). The whole world, like the whole of Kenya is convinced Kibaki stole the vote.
There is no comfort in the truth for Kibaki but I would advise Mr Annan to tell him the truth. The only solution for Kenyans is a re-run of the poll without delay. This is the only way every Kenyan will enjoy the peace and prosperity that they yearn for.
I support the comment of the author "anwerbudiyo" that what Kibaki needs is to be told the truth. There is no way he can call himself the president of the beautifull country of Kenya while even my old grandmother in Namibia knows that he stole the Kenyan elections and infact this is why I have lost faith in African Union because they are all the same and no one is bold enough to tell him the truth.
The world should examine not only the alleged illegality but also possible criminality in this matter due to use of paramilitary to secure power and the well known rigging
Just can't wait for normalcy to return to Kenya.
I hope all our leaders will put aside their differences and for once put the country's future on the fore front.
Interaction.Community Nikenya