Kenya’s Odinga Says No to Power Sharing Deal as Death Toll Climbs
In an effort to end the upheaval in Kenya, President Mwai Kibaki told reporters on Saturday that he was prepared to form a national unity government. The proposal was quickly rejected by the opposition.
Why would Raila Odinga reject such a proposal? The reports of election fraud are now well-documented and extremely widespread. With international pressure now on Kibaki, Odinga is prepared to extend the crisis that has killed at least 300 people and forced 250,000 from their homes. Of course by not finding a speedy resolution to the crisis, there is a danger that more Kenyans will be killed or displaced. This fact will keep pressure on both sides to find an end to the conflict.
“My position has not changed. We want a negotiated settlement. Our starting point is that Kibaki is there illegally. He should not come to the negotiating table as the president,” said Odinga.
President Mwai Kibaki made his offer for a unity government to Jendayi Frazer, the leading U.S. diplomatic for Africa, according to the director of the presidential news service, Isaiya Kabira.
The Kenyan Red Cross, meanwhile, is appealing for $15.4 billion in aid for those forced from their homes by the crisis. Kenyan Red Cross spokesman Anthony Mwangi said the biggest concern was getting food to those in remote areas.
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