Annan steps in to rescue talks

Kenya’s peace mediator Kofi Annan has once again stepped in to convince President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to put aside their differences and hold talks on urgent reforms within the shortest time possible, the Sunday Nation has learnt.

Mr Annan called both coalition leaders this week in the wake of the failed Kilaguni talks and stinging attacks from both sides of the coalition government, raising political temperatures and national anxiety.

Mr Odinga confirmed the call from Mr Annan that came as diplomats in Nairobi, the civil society, the Church and the media heaped pressure on the two leaders to give dialogue a chance. The American and German missions in Nairobi led the diplomatic offensive.

In the proposal given to the President and the PM by Mr Annan, each of the leaders will nominate one person to harmonise the agenda for discussions which, it is hoped, will return the coalition leaders to the negotiating table.

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on the Grand Coalition chaired by President Kibaki travelled to the exclusive Kilaguni lodge in the Tsavo National Park for a bonding session but returned to Nairobi empty-handed after each side presented an agenda of their own.

And following the failed talks, Mr Odinga said that he was unhappy that the President had on occasion made decisions that ran counter to his own. The PM has also complained that the Office of the President routinely keeps him out of the loop of some of the goings on and yet he was an equal partner in the government.

The party of National Unity (PNU) on the other hand has argued that coalition partner ODM is looking for every opportunity to exercise more power in government, which was formed to halt the country’s journey to the brink and midwife crucial reforms.

This week, both parties held a flurry of meetings from where they fired salvos at each other, raising fears that the mistrust would slowly translate to chaos.

Sources interviewed by the Sunday Nation said that Mr Annan suggested that the two nominees from each side should use the two documents to work out one agenda for a second meeting.

And on Saturday, leaders from both sides of the Grand Coalition Government sent a glimmer of hope that they would climb down from their hardline positions and halt the verbal wars of the last fortnight.

“All is not lost. I think that there is still a chance to get things going,” Mr Odinga said in an interview with the Sunday Nation. Mr Odinga later announced that there were plans to hold another meeting in place of the Kilaguni talks that failed a week ago and added that he was confident that the problems in the coalition government would be sorted out.

“We are organising another meeting to take place soon and I am confident there will be a solution,” he said. Separately, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said that Mr Odinga and President Kibaki would meet soon and downplayed the recent breakdown of dialogue at Kilaguni.

Mr Musyoka said the apparent differences that arose at the retreat was a minor misunderstanding that could not be allowed to tear the country apart. “Dialogue must be given a chance,” the VP said at a funeral in Makueni.

Retired President Moi and Trade assistant minister Omingo Magara added their voices to the controversy calling for restraint and dialogue in the coalition.

The former President said what Kenyans expected during this period were deeds that would restore hope, inspire and promote racial harmony and national cohesion, especially at a time when the wounds of the post-election violence had not totally healed.

“Leaders should consider the wider ramifications of their utterances since carelessness is bound to inflame the gullible ordinary citizens. The consequence of such an eventuality should be painful to contemplate,” Mr Moi said in a press statement.

And speaking at his South Mugirango constituency on Saturday, Mr Magara said this was not the right time for mass action, saying many internally displaced people had not been resettled. He told the two principals to respect the National Accord if they had the interest of Kenyans at heart.