afrol News, 9 January - The leader of Kenya's main opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Raila Odinga, has turned down talks with President Mwai Kibaki.

Odinga, who had earlier accepted Kibaki's invitation to hold dialogue on the country's more than a week of bloody political unrest on Friday, described the whole affair as "public relations gimmickry."

A dispute over the country's controversial Presidential polls turned violent, claiming the lives of more than 500 people, internally displaced close to a million people and caused serious damage to the Kenyan economy.

The most depressing aspect was that the unrest took an ethnic dimension, with supporters of the Odinga launching attacks on members of the ruling Kikuyus, accusing them of stealing their candidate's victory.

President Kibaki's partial naming of his cabinet on Tuesday has angered the ODM camp who saw the move as a disrespect to national and international negotiation efforts.

Kibaki has named all the key ministerial positions, leaving out the ODM. A failed presidential candidate, Kalonzo Musyoka, was named the Vice President and Minister of Home Affairs.

The unrest has attracted a flurry of diplomatic activities in the Kenyan capital Nairobi. All the activities aim to put an end to the country's most trying times in history.

Ghanaian President and Chair of the African Union, John Kufuor, is now entrusted with brokering peace between President Kibaki and Raila Odinga.

Having discussed with Kibaki in his office at State House, Kufuor was set to engage Odinga on talks.

Kibaki's office issued a press statement, assuring the Ghanaian leader of his efforts to hold dialogue with the opposition to find a lasting solution to the unrest.

But Kibaki said his government's preoccupation is to lower the political temperatures so that peace and tranquillity can prevail in the country.

President Kufuor exhorted both leaders to guarantee peace and stability in the country by seeking peaceful solution through dialogue to their deadlock.

“Now that peace was returning to these parts, his (Kibaki’s) partially formed government would continue to reach out to Kenyan leaders who would also be encouraged to play their role in preaching peace among their followers,” Kufuor said.

European Commission has assured its backing of the AU initiative and urges Kenya's political leaders to fully cooperate with the continental body.

"The European Commission has followed the events that have unfolded in Kenya after the elections on 27th December with deep concern," EC said in a statement, welcoming the opening that has been found to constructively engage in dialogue in order to find a political solution, which will ensure national unity and the democratic future of Kenya.

"The Commission gives its full support to the initiative taken by the African Union and the forthcoming mission of the Presidency, led by Ghana's President John Kufuor, and urge Kenya's political leaders to co-operate with the AU delegation.

"The Commission welcomes that the level of violence has decreased over the last few days, but is still concerned about the considerable tension within Kenyan society."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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