Ending violence is key to negotiations in Kenya
Posted by African Press International on January 5, 2008
In a meeting with Desmond Tutu in State House Nairobi, President Kibaki has set the conditions. He is willing to have dialogue with other political parties when violence has ceased.
He makes it clear that he will have dialogue with political parties, meaning all and not only ODM of Raila. This means that the president will meet ODM’s Raila and other Kenyan political parties and talk to them without having to single out one party being more important than the other. Kenya has many parties including PNU, ODM and ODM-K.
When dialogue starts, it will be interesting to see how the president will treat all the big parties in comparison to the smaller ones.
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Nation story:
Kibaki and Tutu back dialogue
Story by PPS
Publication Date: 1/4/2008
President Kibaki and South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu has called for an end to the post election violence in the country saying leaders from across the political divide must give dialogue a chance.
President Kibaki assured Archbishop Tutu that he was committed to political dialogue with members of other political parties.
At a meeting held at State House Nairobi Friday, the President Kibaki and Archbishop Tutu noted that there was urgent need to find a solution to the politically instigated violence. The two underlined the sanctity of human life noting that political protests must never be an excuse for killing innocent people.
They called on political leaders in the country to stop their supporters from engaging in violent acts, saying it was imperative that all Kenyans involve themselves in peace overtures so as to quickly restore sanity to the country.
President Kibaki reiterated that he was ready and willing to begin consultations and reach out to political party leaders to find solutions to contentious issues. He asked all leaders to cooperate, saying they must be seen to provide positive leadership at this challenging time in the history of the country.
President Kibaki said it was the responsibility of the Government to first secure the country and ensure peace in order to allow for structured dialogue. He once again condemned the acts of violence saying it was despicable for some leaders to incite their people to burn a church where children and women were seeking refuge.
Emphasising that sanity must prevail in the country, the President assured that the Government would give priority to any petitions that will be made in regard to the just concluded General Election.
President Kibaki at the same time asked political leaders to respect the country’s institutions, noting these institutions have been the pillars of the country’s progress and stability over the years.
The meeting was also attended by Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and officials of the National Council of Churches of Kenya led by the General Secretary Canon Peter Karanja and Chairman Eliud Wabukala.
Lifted and published by Korir, API/APN africanpress@chello.no source.nation.ke
