Coalition bonding talks collapse

ODM wanted to discuss management of the grand coalition, membership of the management committee, decision-making and government communication, appointments in government and protocol.

Other items on the ODM agenda were security organs, implementation of the National Accord, coalition agreement, the report of Prof Philip Alston on extrajudicial killings and fast-tracking of the implementation of Item 4 on the agenda of the National Dialogue and Reconciliation Committee.

ODM ministers further wanted a communications strategy for coalition developed, saying that some statements by government spokesman Alfred Mutua did not represent their party’s positions. They also wanted to push for more consultation with ODM on government appointments by President Kibaki and for Mr Odinga’s status as equal partner in the grand coalition to be recognised including through protocol.

But Mr Mwakwere was reported to have led the PNU in defending the coalition leadership insisting all was well. A source on the PM’s side said he had wanted to use the meeting to address the credibility crisis facing the grand coalition.