Kenya to build coalition government

Presidential rivals agree to share power Seek to end postvote crisis

Sympathizers of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga celebrated in Kisumu as they heard a radio transmission about the pact. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images)

NAIROBI - Kenya's presidential rivals yesterday agreed to share power in a coalition government aimed at ending postelection chaos that has killed 1,000 people and brought this once-promising East African nation to the brink of collapse.

Under the terms of a deal signed by President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga, their parties will divide Cabinet positions 50-50 and amend the constitution to create a prime minister position for Odinga, who will share power with the president.

The agreement marks a significant step toward resolving Kenya's political crisis, and most citizens, who had feared that failed peace talks would trigger more violence, gave a collective sigh of relief. Likewise, the news brought praise from the United States and other Western governments, which had come to count on Kenya as an economic partner and source of stability in East Africa.

But many Kenyans also said they were taking a wait-and-see attitude to determine whether the rivals are genuinely committed and willing to work together. They noted that their nation still faces sizable challenges, including a shattered economy, rising ethnic tensions, and 350,000 people displaced by violence since the Dec. 27 elections.

"They are solving their political problems, but not our problems yet," said Alfonse Mutuku, 24, who lives in a displacement camp near Limuru, north of Nairobi.

Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary general who is leading the mediation effort, said the deal was the only way to break Kenya's stalemate.

"Compromise was necessary for the survival of this country," he said. But Annan cautioned that the work must continue to resolve the nation's social and humanitarian issues: "The journey is far from over. In fact, it is only beginning."

Underscoring tensions that still grip the country, police fired tear gas at Odinga supporters celebrating on the streets of downtown Nairobi shortly after the signing ceremony.

The compromise marks a turnaround from just three days ago, when Annan disbanded bickering negotiating teams and warned that his effort had reached an impasse. With help from visiting Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete, Annan began direct discussions with Kibaki and Odinga on Wednesday.

Key details of the coalition government have yet to be determined, including how exactly the president and prime minister will share powers, how to divide Cabinet posts, how disputes will be resolved, and what happens if the coalition falls apart. Parliament is due to convene on March 6 to begin revising the constitution.

In the final hours of negotiation, Kibaki made significant concessions to the opposition, agreeing to a constitutional amendment that just one day earlier he had ruled out.

His change of heart came amid intense pressure from the United States and others in the international community, who voiced warnings about possible sanctions and isolation for those perceived to be blocking a deal.

In addition, neighboring countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, pushed Kibaki to settle because their economies rely heavily on Kenyan ports and have suffered during the unrest.

After signing the agreement, Kibaki called on Kenyans to forget the ethnic clashes of the last two months and live together in peace. "Kenya has room for all of us," he said.

Public reaction to the deal varied, often depending on ethnicity and political persuasion.

In Odinga strongholds, including the western city of Kisumu and the Nairobi slum of Kibera, crowds danced and sang in the streets.

The mood was darker in a displacement camp north of Nairobi, where refugees from the same Kikuyu tribe as Kibaki watched the signing ceremony in silence under a plastic tarp, on a television donated by a local church. None of the nearly 200 people living in tents said they expected it would be safe enough to return home any time soon. Some blamed Kibaki for giving away too much power.

"In my opinion, I think Kibaki was very soft," said Steven Nderito, a pastor from Rift Valley who was chased from his home by rival tribes. "I don't see how they can work together. I think Kibaki is going to rethink this and may change his mind next week."

Annan said he would begin working today on the final phase of his mediation effort.