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written by Mr. Vikii , February 14, 2008

Oh that is good news, as long as the agreement does not seek to bring warlords and murderers into government. Any agreement on how to resettle those displaced from their homes is welcome. I also hope they agreed on the need for parliament to institute far reaching constitutional and institutional reforms. But let's wait and see what Anan unveils tomorrow.

re:
written by Nyabs , February 14, 2008

Oh that is good news, as long as the agreement does not seek to bring warlords and murderers into government. Any agreement on how to resettle those displaced from their homes is welcome. I also hope they agreed on the need for parliament to institute far reaching constitutional and institutional reforms. But let's wait and see what Anan unveils tomorrow.

I hate to dash your hopes, but since we as a people have never learned to be indignant and refuse leadership with tainted blood, rest assured that there will be thieves and murderers in the new grand coalition, if that is the way the mediation talks are going.

Mzalendo Halisi
written by Baya K , February 15, 2008

Any positive step emerging from the talks is in my view a step in the right direction, and it restores hope. A glass half full is better than a glass half empty. The so called western countries and the EU must realize talks of this nature and the negotiations can be unreasonably rushed just to score a point for the countries backing the process. If anything, it's Kenyans who are the top stakeholders in the talks about our country and the restoration of peace and strengthening institutions and legal framework that will promote democracy, rule of law and justice that will lead to a unified and peaceful Kenya in the long run. It should not matter whether UK, US, Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, France Germany or the EU and AU shout their threats from roof tops, this process must be allowed to cure and be owned by Kenyans. Otherwise if they are rushed without much justification, they will not have a strong foundation, and could be short lived. That is not Kenyans' expectation, and we should not be pushed to waste this opportunity in my humble opinion and conviction.

Hon. Dr. Annan and his team, should not put under so much pressure to seal a deal that is not a deal.

Having said that, I will hasten to add that, the talks can not also go for ever, and it is important for the negotiation team as a whole to expedite the progress by embracing the principle of 'give and take' which is basic in any negotiations. At least one more week of serious and genuine talks on the next steps about how the two sides will accommodate each other in the government is critical. Patience has a limit and we do not wish to get to the wall in this regard.

However, it puzzles me why there question of resttlement for the displaced is lagging. The government on its part has made some tangible policy setting progress and created a dedicated department under the ministry of Special Programs. That is a very positive step, and now we should see greater effort to demonstrate results on the ground on this key humanitariant intervention. Those diplomats anxious to make statements on the outcome of the talks should back up for a while and focuss their energy and support to where it is needed most, humanitarian crisis. They can use NGOs of their choice to channel their resources if they so wish, provided the displaced are assisted to start settle down. Threats and warnings and demands by diplomats will only make them sound tough like 'cow boys' in wild-west movies, and will not amount to anything in terms of the ordinary Kenyans in those camps waiting for a better tomorrow.

Finally, all these warnings, threats and travel restrictions to unamed persons might backfire and slow the talks. I do not know why those making these statements are so fixated with a scenario of a failed talks. Their negative attitude is suspicious, and it is high time they should leran to support the talks and walk the talks, to give Kenyans hope. Kenya may be a strategic country for the west, no doubt about it, but the more reason they should let the talks proceed without their direct or indirect interference, unless DR. Annan requests for their help.

Last and not least, the media must also demonstrate maturity and positive attitude toward the talks. Casting doubt in any way about the outcome of these talks or misrepresenting either side just to make news, is being unreasonable for lack of an appropriate word. The recent protest by the government side is an example whose context was ignored by the media, even after Dr. Annan clarified the gist of the protest arose from his own proposal that had neither been discussed nor agreed upon by the two parties. That was the reality of the matter, and there was absolutely no need to present it negatively against one party. This time Dr. Annan has indicated he will issue a written statement later today, having learnt his lesson on how dangerous the media can be to his team's credibility. I will take the liberty to commend the leader of the government team for being right on spot and in a timely manner with the protest. You can not afford to sleep on such a serious responsibility as a leader. Well done Martha. Why the other party to the did not rush with enthusiasm to call a press conference and correct the position is heart wrenching!

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written by clifford , February 15, 2008

The speech Dr. Koffi Annan gave at parliament's old chambers, was not only aimed at bringing the members of parliament up to speed on the progress of the mediation process, but also to enlighten members of parliament on the direction he intended to steer the talks towards.

The proposition Kofi Annan promoted, is in his opinion the optimum middle ground that the two sides should strive to reach, and the framework within which they can negotiate to resolve the political crisis agenda. Annan job as the chief mediator is to narrow down the acceptable circle for negotiation, so an amicable goal can be reached.

Why all the educated people on the government side, misunderstood Annan's statement that was clearly within the context of a proposition, is beyond me. Worse still, the fact that Martha Karua rushed to make a press release, alleging that Annan's statement was inaccurate and had caused the government mediation team embarrassment and distress; only for it to turn out that there was nothing inaccurate with Annan's statement, just a knee-jerk and self embarrassing reaction on the government's part.

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written by Nyabs , February 15, 2008

Can you please prove to us that the current government completely free of thieves and murderes?

@ Nori. They are many. For purposes of avoiding being sued, allow me not name names.

Unfortunately, the ones on the ODM side are equally many.

So, let no one cheat us they have clean hands and let ODM not tell us that on their side, they have angels whose hands are untainted with corruption and the blood of innocent people.

Unfortunately, that is the reality of Kenyan leadership.

re: re:
written by Nori , February 15, 2008

Oh that is good news, as long as the agreement does not seek to bring warlords and murderers into government. Any agreement on how to resettle those displaced from their homes is welcome. I also hope they agreed on the need for parliament to institute far reaching constitutional and institutional reforms. But let's wait and see what Anan unveils tomorrow.

I hate to dash your hopes, but since we as a people have never learned to be indignant and refuse leadership with tainted blood, rest assured that there will be thieves and murderers in the new grand coalition, if that is the way the mediation talks are going.

Can you please prove to us that the current government completely free of thieves and murderes?

Kudos to the negotiation team, whose announcement is eagerly awaited.

re: There be angels
written by aeichener , February 15, 2008

So, let no one cheat us they have clean hands and let ODM not tell us that on their side, they have angels whose hands are untainted with corruption and the blood of innocent people.

Dear Nyabs, the simple application of Kenyan Logics [tm] (a spin-off from traditional Aristotelian syllogistic logics, much in the same way as non-Euclidic geometry stands towards Euclidic geometry) will compellingly prove that ODM luminaries must be angels:

1. Angels are winged creatures.

2. Photos have shown ODM luminaries to have wings.

3. Ergo: ODM luminaries are angels.

Proof for the above statement 2 are the following photographs secretly taken by a candid camera of an UN observer during the ongoing bilateral ODM-PNU negotiations:



Alexander