Kenya’s Kibaki seeks Africa’s support in political crisis
January 6, 2008 (NAIROBI) — The Kenyan government has dispatched envoys to African countries to explain the prevailing security situation and seek backing from other leaders, officials said Sunday.
Riots rocked Kenya after President Mwai Kibaki was declared the winner of hotly contested Dec. 27 elections, killing more than 360 people and displacing some 250,000. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has refused to accept defeat, insisting the vote was rigged.
“We have sent envoys to African countries with a special message to leaders that presents a clear picture of the political and security situation in the country,” government spokesman Alfred Mutua told AFP.
He said that Deputy Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula had traveled to Ghana to explain “the political and electoral situation in the country and that we are able to deal with criminals,” to African Union leader and Ghanian President John Kufour.
U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown told the British Broadcasting Corp. Sunday that Kufuor was expected in Kenya in the next two days to take part in efforts to talk the rivals out of the political stalemate.
Meanwhile in Dar es Salaam, Kibaki’s special envoy Uhuru Kenyatta delivered a message Sunday, an official said.
“We want violence to end in Kenya. Leaders should immediately start talks aimed at reconciliation and the way forward,” State House Director of Communications Salva Rweyemamu quoted Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete as saying shortly afterwards.
A government official, who requested anonymity, told AFP Kibaki was seeking backing from African leaders in the face of condemnation from Western nations that have highlighted irregularities in the poll counting process.
The international community has stepped up diplomatic pressure to settle the conflict in the east African nation, which until recently was considered a bastion of stability in a region beset by conflicts.
ODINGA READY TO HAVE IN HIS CABINET KIBAKI
Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga Sunday told British Broadcasting Corp (BBC) television he was willing to incorporate President Mwai Kibaki in government in a bid to resolve the country’s political crisis.
Odinga said he was willing to “walk the extra mile” and enter talks with Kibaki, though he didn’t think he should be forced “at all costs” to bring him into an administration.
Odinga claims Kibaki rigged the Dec. 27 presidential election. Poll monitors said the vote-count was rife with irregularities, and more than 360 people died in election-related violence.
“We don’t mind the issue of power sharing. But I want it to be known that the problem is to establish who the winner was on these elections,” Odinga said, speaking from Kenya.
“I don’t think that the winner must be forced at all costs to bring in the loser.
“But in order to resolve the crisis we are willing to talk and then in those processes I am willing to even incorporate Mr Kibaki in the government.”
Odinga has rejected an offer made by Kibaki to form a unity cabinet.
(AFP)