Doubts emerging as Kenyan MPs begin peace deal debate
Tuesday, 11 Mar 2008 10:36
Trouble looms in Nairobi
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Fresh fears of a collapse in Kenya's tentative power-sharing agreement have been raised as MPs begin debating legislation at the heart of the proposals.
The national accord and reconciliation bill and the constitutional amendment bill will create a new prime minister's office for Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga, but details of the deal are proving threateningly divisive.
Mr Odinga's party had challenged the results of a close December 27th presidential election which saw incumbent Mwai Kibaki triumph, only for Kenya to be plunged into two months of violence in which over 1,000 people have died.
A power-sharing deal was agreed on February 28th thanks to the mediation efforts of former UN secretary general Kofi Annan and the Kenyan parliament is due to debate it from today.
There are now threats that the process may be destabilised. Francis Muthaura, head of the Kenyan civil service, has issued a protocol clarification which the ODM claims maintains the president's formidable powers.
Mr Kibaki will continue to have the power to appoint the prime minister, vice president, deputy prime ministers and all ministers "directly responsible to the president", while the president will chair the cabinet, Mr Muthaura said.
The ODM described the announcement as "mischievous and unacceptable" and insisted the prime minister should have the authority to control the machinery of government.
Analysts now fear ODM objections could cause fractious parliamentary sessions in the coming days.