Kenyan impasse fuels anxiety
Juma KwayeraA widening rift around the size and structure of a coalition government in which powers and responsibilities will be shared between President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity and Prime Minister designate Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement may be edging the country close to a renewed outbreak of political violence.
Fraud probe delayed
Juma KwayeraThe independent review committee constituted to investigate alleged fraud during Kenya's December presidential polls has had to delay its investigations until Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and prime minister designate Raila Odinga agree on the composition of a coalition government.
A 'tactical genius'
Juma KwayeraIf opinion polls are to be believed Raila Amolo Odinga is poised to become Kenya's fourth president after the December 27 general election. Born in 1945, Odinga went to school in Nyanza province. He holds a master's degrees in mechanical engineering from Otto von Guericke University in the former East Germany.
Kenya polls predict slim win for Odinga
Juma KwayeraTraditionally regarded as a Western fad, regularly conducted opinion polls have acquired phenomenal significance in Kenya, as the top two presidential candidates -- President Mwai Kibaki and his main opposition challenger Raila Odinga -- head for what looks like a photo-finish in the election on December 27.
Kenya coalition crumbles
Juma KwayeraThe quest for a permanent political settlement in Kenya ran into trouble again this week with the opposition Orange Democratic Movement announcing that it is pulling out of talks on the formation of a coalition government. Talks on the composition of a coalition cabinet have been dragging on for a month.
'Kibaki must condemn mayhem'
Juma KwayeraNewly re-elected Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki is coming under increased criticism for the manner in which he has handled the growing post-election mayhem in the country. The barrage of criticism intensified following a public statement by the chairperson of the Electoral Commission of Kenya, Samuel Kivuitu, in which he indicated that the government had forced him to prematurely declare Kibaki the winner of the December 27 poll.
High cost of Kenya's protests
Juma KwayeraViolence rocked Kenya for the third week running as the police cracked down on opposition protesters during a three-day countrywide civil disobedience campaign to press for the reversal of the controversial re-election of President Mwai Kibaki. While Nairobi remained mostly calm, chaos besieged opposition strongholds in western Kenya and along the coast.
Regional conflicts haunt Kenya
Juma KwayeraOfficials warn that Kenya is being punished for its political and military interventions in the region, writes Juma Kwayera.
Gang infiltrates Kenya police
Juma KwayeraA quiet rebellion and near-total collapse of the chain of command has exposed Kenya's police force as incapable of dealing with the growing national crisis in the country, amid growing fears that it has also been infiltrated by the outlawed pro- government Mungiki sect.
Kenya's new Cabinet
Juma KwayeraThe dispute over the division of ministerial portfolios in Kenya's new coalition Cabinet was resolved this week when President Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga each made slight concessions in the face of gathering frustration in the country. The Mail & Guardian profiles some of the key ministers.
