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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
2

Fierce Rivalries Shape, Threaten Kenyan Politics

Power sharing compromise has resulted in a rancorous impasse

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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
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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2 comments
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riffran
Apr 25, 09 6:06 AM CDT
great more ethnic cleansing on the way Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 25, 09 1:45 PM CDT
One thing's for certain... these Kenyan politicos sure can run. Reply
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