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Fierce Rivalries Shape, Threaten Kenyan Politics

Power sharing compromise has resulted in a rancorous impasse

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 25, 2009 4:54 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Election violence in 2007 gave way to an uneasy coalition between Kenyan PM Raila Odinga and President Mwai Kibaki, but that move seems only to have transformed the fighting on the streets into squabbling in the capital. Now, "Kenya does not have a functioning executive at all, just an unholy alliance of fierce rivals," reports the Economist.

"Unfortunately for Kenya, all that holds the coalition together now is mutual greed and pressure from abroad," as corruption scandals plague every party and overpaid government officials pick fights rather than lead. The only bright spot on the horizon may be Kofi Annan's vow to have the ICC prosecute several politicians accused of helping spur the election violence.

Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, speaks to journalists in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday April 1, 2009.
Kenya's Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, speaks to journalists in Nairobi, Kenya, Wednesday April 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Khalil Senosi)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, shake hands with opposition leader Raila Odinga, right, in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 24, 2008.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, left, shake hands with opposition leader Raila Odinga, right, in Nairobi, Kenya, Jan. 24, 2008.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo, File)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki observes a minute of silence for victims of violence, during the opening of the dialogue process, in Nairobi in January 2008.
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki observes a minute of silence for victims of violence, during the opening of the "dialogue process," in Nairobi in January 2008.   (AP Photo/Karel Prinsloo, File)
Security personnel drag away a Kenyan journalist, as Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki's delivers his speech during Independence Day celebrations Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.
Security personnel drag away a Kenyan journalist, as Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki's delivers his speech during Independence Day celebrations Friday, Dec. 12, 2008.   (AP Photo /Khalil Senosi)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
riffran
Apr 25, 2009 11:06 AM CDT
great more ethnic cleansing on the way

Parliament is a hostage of the infighting
The Zimbabwean

Kenya must shape up before US will give aid
The Standard

Whistleblowing book sold secretly in Kenya
CNN

 
Kenya • corruption • government • Kofi Annan • political factions • Mwai Kibaki • Raila Odinga • International Criminal Court • election violence

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