Kenya government will soon make the biggest mistake – power sharing with ODM in a way that will lead to early elections
Posted by African Press International on February 28, 2008
Kenya government, led by President Kibaki, is about to make a mistake that they will regret for a long time.
- ODM led by Raila wants to share power. There is nothing wrong with that.
- ODM has been promised a non-executive prime minister.There is nothing wrong with that.
- ODM has been promised, that together with the government,work in an effort to change the constititution within 12 months will be started. There is nothing wrong with that.
- ODM has been promised by the government that there will be a truth and reconciliation commission. There is nothing wrong with that.
This is what is wrong and will plunge the country into new chaos:
Kibaki/PNU and ODM/Raila agreeing that should any partner in the coalition pull out of the deal, thenparliament will be dissolved and elections to take place immediately!
ODM has always wanted a presidential re-run and now they are managing to trick PNU and Kibaki and get what they want, a re-run, through the back door.
If the two, PNU and ODM agree on a deal like that, it is most likely that after 6 months, Raila and ODM will decide to pull out of the coalition, for some reason or another, and ask for new general elections. They will, however, not be doing so because of the parliamentary elections, but due to the thirst for the presidential power. They are willing to risk having ODM MPs go and seek a new mandate from their constituents for the simple reason, to have Raila face Kibaki in a presidential re-run.
On this,Kofi Annan leading the negotiation should not be blinded by leaders who want power all costs. Annan should try and understand the Kenyan way of thinking.
One ODM activist calling API from Nairobi has stated that ODM will stop at nothing, but to get the presidency within 6 months, even if it means using forceful means.
The best thing to solve the problem is not putting the Kenyan people through a new election that may turn violent.
Adeal to share responsibilities should be struck, but one that excludes anything to do withgoing back to the electorate, simply because a partner in the coalition is unhappy with the way the government is managed.
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It is enough for ODM to pull out if they do not get the number of permanent secretaries or ambassadors that they will insist to have.
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It is enough for them to cry wolf if the changing of the constitution is not rushed as they wish.
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It is enough for them to cry wolf if they do not get the members of ECK thrown out and replaced by a majority favouring their thinking.
To save the Kenyan people from more violence, the government must act in a decisive manner. We are not saying there should be no sharing of responsibilities if that is best for the country. If that is what is best, then let it be but follow the laws of the land.
Some EU ambassadors based in Kenya should be ashamed. What right do they have to come out and warn the Kenya government for dire consequences. Are ambassadors in Kenya running the country. They keep threathening all the time as if Kenya is under colonial rule.
Can you imagine a Kenyan (high commissioner)ambassador in Britain or US warning the leaders of those countries. This has never happened and we are yet to see it happen.Why is Kenya being bombarded daily with insults from ambassadors from EU countries? By doing so, they are disregarding the rule of law in Kenya.
Giving in to them and their threats is a shame for the Kenyan people.
Published by Korir, API africanpress@getmail.no
