Use our pull-down menus to find more stories
  


OR subscribers use AllAfrica's premium search engine


Click here to read or make comments on this topic »

Uganda: Kenya at Crossroads


New Vision (Kampala)
 

Email This Page

Print This Page

Comment on this article

New Vision (Kampala)

23 February 2008
Posted to the web 25 February 2008

Kampala

THE Kenya government has agreed in principle to create a prime minister's office, raising hopes for a government of national unity. Both sides are yet to agree on what powers it will hold.

A government of national unity is a step in the right direction, but not the solution. Kenya descended into political chaos after the disputed re-election of President Mwai Kibaki. The opposition, led by Raila Odinga, accuses Kibaki of rigging the election.

Maintaining Kibaki is the legitimate president, the government accuses the opposition of orchestrating ethnic violence that has killed over 1,000 and uprooted 300,000 from their homes. With the international community pushing for an immediate settlement, a proposal of a government of national unity is being considered along with the position of prime minister demanded by the opposition.

But granting it or even creating a government of national unity is circumventing the gravity of the problems behind the violence. Land and wealth distribution and the 'Kikuyu dominance' in politics are the fundamental issues. In 2002, Kibaki and Odinga were part of the government that took power, promising reforms. They fell out.

Similarly a government of national unity may not last, due to infighting. Kenyans should tread carefully. They have to choose between an ineffective government of national unity and a strong opposition in parliament.

Relevant Links

If it's not a case of getting jobs for top opposition leaders, democracy means an effective opposition to compel government to deal with the fundamental issues. Besides being part of a controversially elected government, opposition leaders risk being perceived as job seekers.



AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.

 
Share this on:
Facebook
Digg
Del.icio.us
StumbleUpon
Muti


Copyright © 2008 New Vision. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections -- or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

Make allAfrica.com your home page | RSS Feed

Top | Site Guide | Who We Are | Advertising | Search | Subscribe

Questions or Comments? Contact us. Read our Privacy Statement.

HOME
allAfrica.com


Relevant Links




Famine Looms As Aid Workers Flee
Officials Charged with Sedition
Unicef Says 180,000 Children Are Malnourished
Security Council Should Set Govt Benchmarks
Govt Says al-Bashir's Indictment Ill-Timed





Today's Most Active Stories