Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 03:39:44 -0800
Subject: Power sharing between ODM and PNU

In my mind, power sharing is the best option for now as we address the constitutional dispensation, the composing of ECK and the setting up of a new Judiciacy.

In the mean time, if the Transitional arrangement has to take place, Kibaki should remain President for the next 14 months. He has served one month already.

Then Raila should take over for the last 15 months.

During this time, we must clearly define the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.

We must define the role of the Executive in governance and delink it from the Legislature and the Judiciary. In so doing, The Legislature must have their own time table of operations. They must set their own calender and operate outside the influence of the Executive.

As we set up a new Judiciary, it must clearly be independent. The President, as head of the Executive, must not appoint The Chief Justice and preside over his swearing in. This must be done by the Judicial Service Commission, and the swearing in of the new Chief Justice, must be done at the High Court, not at State House.

Once this is done, we must clearly define the role of The Head of State and that of The Head of Government.

We must not gloss over issues of governance and play ping pong as it suits our current positions. Recently I read Kiraitu calling for constitutional review, yet when he was the Minister for Constitutional Affairs, he was reading from a different script.

As we form this Transitional Government, we must take into account that ODM had 99 MPs before 2 were killed in circumstances that the police we quick to call 'crimes of passion', whatever that is, and PNU has 43 MPs.

We must also note that ODM has 1053 elected councillors as opposed to 322 for PNU.

That strength should be the basis for apportioning all jobs, from the cabinet, to the PSs, to the parastatals, to the everything.

        - Odhiambo T Oketch


Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:25:12 -0500
Subject: RE: [africa-oped] Power sharing between ODM and PNU

This power sharing should not last more than a year and a fresh poll manned by international observers should follow shortly thereafter. Hopefully the "leaders" can come to terms with fact that Kenyans don't want a government they resoundingly fired at the polls to be pushed down their throats. Turncoats in government must learn that Kenyans do hire; but they also fire. When you're fired, you don't come to work!
       - Fredrick


Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:45:34 -0500
Subject: RE: [africa-oped] Power sharing between ODM and PNU

Hey,

I share a lot of your opinions on this. Just to make sure things fall in the right place...

Interim Goverment, not less.

Speaker.

50% ODM, 50 % PNU.

All the necessary constitutional adjustment are in the Bomas draft they can just make the necessary corrections and pass it.

This Process should go on very fast, so that in less than one year we could have a that we could a re- run. Otherwise I anticipate restlessness. Anything less than this is not acceptable.

        - Antony Adiwa


Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 18:20:57
Subject: NO TO A PROLONGED INTERIM GOVERNMENT

Dr. Abonyo,

Good to read your well-balanced contributions again.

I want to add, first, that Kibaki is a prisioner of the constituent parties that have propped-up his government. This view is reinforced by what Kalonzo said when he landed from abroad, and Poghosio's announcement that any Annan deal will not affect ODM-K's positions in government.

Secondly, this so-called deal is so far in favour of Kibaki. You are right, ODM should not sacrifice further than it has done. Recognizing Kibaki's Presidency is a bitter enough pill for ODM to have swallowed.

In my view, nothing less than an Executive Prime-Minister for ODM (based on BOMAS and executed quickly by Parliamentary legilation) is agreeable because it makes ODM as Head of Government and preserves its party Identity for 2012. A prolonged Interim Government (six-month one called by ODM has been shot down by negotiators at City Hall) will allow the country to heal and the IDPs TO RESETTLE, but it will prove to be a slow-killing pill that will in the long run, neuter ODM in particular, and democracy in general, as the boundary between Opposition and Government become blurred in the eyes of the people.

An interim government must be reasonably short.

But here is the catch: as long as the refugees are still in the camps in the Rift Valley, Kibaki will not call any election whatever the Annan Deal. I am very pessimistic; I am looking at 2012 for the next face-off.

ODM must go for Executive Primier

As the Annan negotiations move towards its critical stage, ODM must think long-term because its image of a Movement ended with the 12/27/2007 elections. That is why I prefer a quick Exacutive Primier Deal to any other form of power-sharing arrangement. Let Kibaki sit at State House with ODM running the country through long-lasting and meaningful parliamentary legislations. Otherwise, it is better to remain in the opposition than be in a long-term, coalition arrangement with a tainted group.

Regards,

        - JR Alila

Date:  Sat, 9 Feb 2008 18:24:14
Subject:  Re: RAILA SAYS NO at Too's funeral


RAILA RE-AFFIRMS KIBAKI MUST RESIGN NOW

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/09/
AR2008020901357.html

        - Elly