Nairobi — The country opened a new political chapter in its history, where power and responsibilities of the Government will be shared through a grand coalition.

More than 215 MPs endorsed the power-sharing deal, which is to be entrenched through an Act of Parliament in the Constitution to pave way for the creation of the offices of Prime Minister and two deputies.

The MPs agreed to fast track the deal through the procedures of Parliament and ensure it is enacted into law. This is expected to be followed by a rollout of a broad reform agenda to address challenges of governance.

President Kibaki of the Party of National Unity and Mr Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement marshaled the support of MPs from both sides to fast track the legalisation of principles of coalition.

In a rare show of unity, the three contestants in the December presidential election, Kibaki, Raila and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, read from one script of comprehensive reforms, peace, healing and reconciliation.

At the end of the meeting, the trio stepped out with Kibaki in the middle, Raila to his right and Kalonzo to the left, greeting MPs and exchanging pleasantries.

"It is an important turning point in our politics. We can achieve a lot together if we support reforms that will propel our country to the edge in economic performance," Kibaki said on Thursday after chairing the first joint parliamentary group meeting of the coalition.

"It is a milestone as we gather to agree on the role each of us would play to ensure the violence that engulfed parts of the country does not recur," Kibaki told MPs.

The President said key constitutional, political and economic reforms would be embarked on with focus on a new Constitution within 12 months.

Kibaki allayed fears of any hurdles for the power-sharing agreement when he mobilised MPs into accepting to suspend debate on presidential speech after official opening of Parliament and prioritise the broad reform agenda.

Kalonzo called Raila Prime Minister-designate when he invited him to address the legislators at Old Parliament chambers.

Raila said the country has had many false starts and it was time to restore order and normalcy. "We must comprehensively address issues of land and landlessness. We must address the issue of land between Kikuyus and Kalenjins, Kipsigis and Nandis, Kisiis and Kalenjin, Luos and Kisiis, Kikuyus and Maasais in Rift Valley and Kikuyus and the Mijikenda at the Coast," he said.

The crucial meeting preceded State opening of Parliament and started shortly after 10am.

Kibaki proposed the harmonisation of party policies to be in tandem with Vision 2030 as a grand national agenda.

There was a good mood in the meeting as MPs lauded the goodwill expressed by both Kibaki and Raila towards implementation of the grand coalition.

Nambale MP, Mr Chris Okemo, said: "It is a new beginning. We laud Kibaki and Raila for commitment to reform agenda and shared responsibilities."

MPs who attended the hour-long session at Old Parliament Buildings said the mood was good and for once the country was united.

Nithi MP, Mr Japhet Kareke, said President Kibaki and Raila strode into the chamber hand in hand and smiling broadly.

It was an unprecedented moment in Kenya's history as the President chaired the first Parliamentary Group meeting of the grand coalition with the Prime Minister-designate next to him.

Kareke said the ease and warmth radiated by the two was felt across the chambers.