George Omonso & Barnabas Bii
4 March 2008
THE first step towards the formation of a new Kenyan government is expected today when President Kibaki meets ODM leader Raila Odinga.
It is understood that the two leaders are likely to discuss the face of the coalition, its structures and possibly when it will be formed after Parliament enacts the necessary laws next week.
Sources close to the President confirmed that today's will be an informal consultative meeting bringing the two leaders together for the first time since the signing of the coalition agreement last Thursday.
Signals of how fast the new government could be formed became evident yesterday when Mr Odinga spoke from Mombasa hinting that it could happen within the next two weeks.
"We will have a coalition government in the next two weeks," he said.
He also hinted that MPs from the government and his party were likely to hold a joint Parliamentary Group meeting before Parliament enacts two crucial Bills that will formalise the coalition.
And yesterday, President Kibaki chaired a PG meeting of PNU and ODM-K MPs at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre after a meeting with ministers.
The President used the meeting to prepare them for the enactment of the two Bills and the formation of the new government.
The agreement was brokered by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and African Union Chairman President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania after a month of political crisis in the country that followed the disputed presidential results which ECK declared President Kibaki the winner.
Under the Annan's PNU and ODM agreement the post of Prime Minister and two deputy Prime Ministers, one from each side, will be introduced and cabinet posts shared on a 50-50 basis.
It means that PNU will share its portion with its affiliate parties including Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka's ODM-Kenya while Mr Odinga's ODM will share with Mrs Charity Ngilu's Narc which has only three MPs in the House.
But the issue of sharing ministries is being closely guarded by both sides who prefer not to talk about it for fear that it might send wrong signals.
It is also not clear whether the 17 ministers already appointed will be shuffled to give the "portfolio balance" stipulated in the deal.
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I want to say its a big shame on African leaders who because of their own individual agravations open up their country men to sporadic violence at intervals.
I am a female Nigerian, and have been following closely on the Kenyan issue. Its a big shame that our leaders in Africa are so self driven. They deliberately break the rules and allow innocent citizens suffer for their insensitivity.
I can't help but wonder why the life of the masses was suddenly plunged into the darkness and gloom that was recently expirienced in Kenya. Two elder states men so to speak cant even iron out their differences in a civilised manner without the spillage of blood. Why did both parties have to wait untill blood has been unjustly spilled before they choose to act? Its uncalled for.
Also I think its time we Africans begin to act in civilized manner when we are dealing with issues. All these wanton destruction of lives and properties, when are we going to learn? Why do we have to go through the terible motions before we evntually desit from the dastard acts?
We all may have recieved independence as regions, but if you ask me I think we are still beign colonised by our selves. Where you ask? I believe in our minds. Our thinking is still achaic and barbaric. We still act like we are in the stone ages. With all the human rights instruments our governments continue to ratify, what are we doing in Africa?
Its really a big shame on the whole African region.
Millitancy in Nigeria according to me is the latest fashion and weapon to carry out criminalities and get away with it. Now government is are working overtime to address the rising problem of millitancy. It has always been said that what you leave unchecked eventually will check you.
I guess this is a lesson to the present generation of leaders. The fashion of not dealing with issues untill they have gone way out of hand will be curbed. Today we are dealing with child kidnapping and all other unwholesome practices all in the name of millitancy.
I believe we will get out of the rot our previous leaders brought on us. And great will be that day when the youths begin to make themselves useful while they advocate for change through positive, well meaning and inspiring avenues.
i'm a tanzanian boy! my name is karim mzee i study at university of dodoma in tanzania.I think for this step the soluton will be made! so please mr Odinga and mr Kibaki its your time to make sure that the kenyanian people they will stay in peace and love among themselves.