On The Threshold Of A Breakthrough

11 February 2008 The Standard (Kenyan Newspaper)

ODM leader, Mr Raila Odinga, meets PNU team.

It will be a unique political solution for Kenya that will be unveiled if both sides agree to final details of a deal already on the table. The deal is tailored to bring both parties into a Government power-sharing arrangement, Thisfollows last week's announcement by Annan of an impending political solution, but details of how it would look like remained sketchy.

Four leading political analysts were of the view that given the delicate background the expected power-sharing formula may not have to stick to internationally established models but would be one made uniquely for the Kenyan crisis. The analysts were agreed that the most expected outcome of the talks by Kenyans and politicians is a Government that leaves Mr Mwai Kibaki as the President while creating another top respectable executive position — like the Prime Minister — for Mr Raila Odinga.

They said for a fair deal to be seen to be struck, several ODM members would have to be absorbed into the Cabinet, some as assistant ministers, while Kibaki would have to cede some executive authority to Raila.

Some of the agreements that may emerge in the talks would call for constitutional amendments to accommodate positions that may be created.