KENYA:KENYA'S POLITICAL rivals agreed a power-sharing deal yesterday to end ethnic violence unleashed after flawed elections, writes Rob Crilly in Nairobi
Opposition leader Raila Odinga will take up a new post of prime minister with authority to oversee the work of government, after president Mwai Kibaki bent to demands to give up some of his power.
The deal, brokered by Kofi Annan, eases tensions in a country once seen as a haven of stability.
But analysts warned that it will take much longer to bridge the ethnic faultlines exposed by December's elections.
Mr Annan looked relieved as he announced the terms of the deal at a signing ceremony in central Nairobi. Earlier this week he had suspended talks between the two teams of negotiators in order to appeal directly to their leaders.
"We believe by these steps we come together in the spirit of partnership to bring peace and prosperity to the people of Kenya who so richly deserve it," he said, as he announced the creation of a prime minister and two deputies.
The agreement also spells out that ministers in the coalition government will reflect the strength of parties in the parliament.
Annan added that work would start today on finding long-term solutions to social and ethnic division. International leaders, some of whom had warned of sanctions if agreement could not be reached, sent congratulations.
Gordon Brown said: "Common sense has prevailed, and the Kenyan people have the outcome for which they have hoped and prayed."
More than 1,000 people have died since President Kibaki was sworn in for a second term at the end of December.
Election observers said widespread rigging meant they could not be sure of the result, and few governments sent congratulations to Mr Kibaki.
Opposition supporters targeted members of Mr Kibaki's Kikuyu tribe in a wave of ethnic bloodshed. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced from their homes and fled to the tribal lands of their ancestors.
Yesterday the two political rivals met to agree a deal after Mr Annan's efforts had come close to collapse earlier in the week.
Kenyans are hoping the deal is more robust than the table where it was signed. It fell apart as enthusiastic aides tried to whisk it away.
Moments later office workers outside the government buildings where the deal was signed erupted in cheers as Mr Odinga stepped forward to speak.
He thanked Mr Annan for his efforts during Kenya's troubles.
"A crisis also offers an opportunity and I think this crisis has taught Kenyans a serious lesson that will help form a firm foundation for a united country," said the man who will become prime minister.
It is a job he was promised once before by Mr Kibaki only to see the president go back on a commitment to change the country's constitution.
Yesterday Mr Kibaki said it was time for Kenya to move forward. "This process has reminded us that as a nation there are more issues that unite than divide us," he said.
François Grignon, Africa Director of the International Crisis Group, said the agreement was an important step, but it remained to be seen whether the government would stick to its word.
"The implementation of all the agreements is the key issue," he said. "Consultation with community leaders to craft a realistic process of reconciliation is going to be very important." His words were echoed by people displaced by the fighting.
Paul Waweru (56), who is living in an aid camp in the Rift Valley town of Eldoret, said: "The deal between Raila and Kibaki will help to cool down the situation, but I doubt if it will enable us to get back to our homes."