Lucas Barasa
2 March 2008
Nairobi — Former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan has left the country after striking a deal between President Kibaki and Mr Raila Odinga to end the political crisis in Kenya.
"It is now time to say good bye," Mr Annan said as he urged Kenyans not to leave the task of ensuring the implementation and success of the agreement reached last Thursday to politicians alone.
Mr Annan received a rare gift - a cockerel - from a post-election violence victim for striking the deal that reduced simmering tensions in the country and gave hope to millions of Kenyans of a return to peace and stability.
Civil servant Dismas Ooko, a lawyer, was at Serena Hotel in Nairobi with the white cockerel, a gift he said represented ordinary poor Kenyans who suffered most during the nearly two months of violence sparked by last year's disputed presidential elections results.
Mr Annan also received various gifts including carvings from Serena Hotel staff and other well-wishers. He also held photo sessions with various groups for his remembrance.
Singers Moipei Girls' Quartet which comprises of 14 year-olds triplets Mary, Maggie and Marta and younger sister Seraphine (12) captured the mood of Mr Annan's leaving through their emotional piece "Whispering Hope" as Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai, UN-Habitat executive director Anna Tibaijuka and ODM secretary general Anyang Nyong'o watched.
Other dignitaries including a Nigerian former minister Oluyemi Adeniji who is to take over from Mr Annan as chairman of negotiations between PNU and ODM, UN staff and other onlookers also gathered at Serena Hotel to witness Mr Annan's departure.
The singers hoped that the next time Mr Annan comes back to Kenya he will be able to enjoy the country's beautiful heritage.
Thanking Kenyans and the international community for their support, without which Mr Annan said he could not have succeeded in the mediation efforts, the former UN boss said there was still a long way to go before lasting solution could be found to the problems facing the country.
"We could not have come this far alone without the support of public and international community. We still have a long road ahead," he said.
He said Kenyans and the rest of the world want to see a stable, peaceful and prosperous Kenya.
Mr Annan called for the building of a secure Kenya.
He said the country has a lot to offer and that Kenyans should now work together and reconcile the nation.
Mr Annan, who said he will be back at the talks if needed said Kenyans should not leave the implementation of peace deal between ODM and PNU to politicians alone.
Dr Tibaijuka thanked Mr Annan for helping broker the agreement.
"It is the UN's work to look for peace and development," she said.
Mr Annan left for Kampala before heading to Geneva, Switzerland.
He is to chair an important board meeting of the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa.
The former UN boss said he was looking forward to working with Kenyans towards the realisation of the goals agreed upon so far by President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga and, in the process, make Kenya stronger, more peaceful and prosperous.
Mr Annan's departure comes at a time when the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee is discussing long term solutions to problems facing the country.
On Saturday, Mr Annan said: "I was very pleased with the tone of our talks in the negotiating team on Friday. We touched on most of the major items in Agenda 4 (long term issues) including comprehensive constitutional review, the Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission, the Independent Review Commission, Land Reform and Poverty."
Short term solutions to the problems, including ending violence, humanitarian assistance and political solution to disputed last year's presidential elections results have since been agreed upon by the negotiators.
The political solutions were the last to be resolved on Thursday following a power-sharing deal between President Kibaki and Mr Odinga.
The leaders agreed to create a prime minister post which is to be held by Mr Odinga and two deputies.
ODM and the government are to share ministerial positions as per their strength in Parliament.
Mr Annan's other Team of Eminent Persons members who were spearheading the talks former Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa and wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, Graca have also since returned home.
Mr Mkapa left on Saturday while Ms Machel jetted out before Thursday's signing of the peace deal.
And as Mr Annan left, focus shifted to Parliament and Attorney General Amos Wako who are supposed to craft Bills and pass them to firm up the agreement.
Parliament is set to re-open on Thursday.
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May Jesus bless Mr. Annan and all who helped him bring peace to the land of my grandma. May Jesus bless my sister Condelezza for going in there and saying something good.
well done Kofi Anan for the good job done together with your team of Eminent leaders:Kikwete, Mkapa and Graca Marcel among others.You have done commentable job go ensuring that you bring the two warring factions of ODM and PNU together.You worked tirelessly, endlessly and went against all odds and ensure that Kibaki and Raila agrees on the talks and that finally peace is restored in Kenya.Many big thanks once again to Anan.May the Almighty shower you with His blessings so that you may live many more years to come, have that courage and wisdom so that what you have helped happen in Kenya you can also help happen in Sudan, Somalia, Congo and all other countries where there is fighting.it is sad to see that in Africa, a mistake or an action of one individual or a few of them could plunge a country that has enjoyed peace into one of civil wars.The same leaders who claim to be democratic are unable to help the country out of the problem but user the same for their own selfish gain!
Kofi, you are a true role model. we can't thank you enough but your big reward awaits you. that white cockerel speaks volume and signify alot about Africans. you are a true African easy to give but slow to demand. we have heard a lot about you but in the 40 plus days that you were here, we saw what you are capable of doing. you name is forever imprinted in the layers of our hearts. thanx kofi. Norman-Daystar University
Well-done our dear Kofi Annan. May God bless you and all members of your team comprising of Graca Macel, Benjamin Mkapa and also President Kikwete of Tanzania etc. You and your team have performed a wonder for Africa which will ever reverberate in posterity. You have put smiles on the face of dejected millions of Kenyans whobecameinternally displaced in their country with what would have turned to a bleak future. You have made a lot f Africans like me shed tears of joy that there are still Africans alive who can help in solving the problems that beset Africa. Hope is not lost despite the incredible happenings in the Congo, Nigeria, Somalia etc. However, the contibution of the main players, President Kibaki and Raila Odinga, should not be overlooked. Both of you should also be commended for the give and take attitude that made this solution of the crisis possible. You have demnstrated to the world that you value the country above any personal gains. May God help you both and your party members and guide you to tackle successfully all other remaining details of this crisis. UHURU!