Nairobi
27 March 2008
The distribution of ministries in Kenya's proposed power-sharing government is encountering difficulties. As Derek Kilner reports from Nairobi, both sides have blamed the other for the lack of progress.
Politicians have raised the question of whether former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who mediated the talks that led to the power-sharing agreement, should be called back to facilitate discussion on the cabinet. Nyong'o said he was in favor of renewed involvement by Mr. Annan if negotiations fail to move forward, but urged patience in letting discussions continue.
"If you compare that Angela Merkel and Schroeder took about a month to form a similar type of government in Germany, I think a week here is not terribly long," said Nyong'o. "Better for the two principles to take their time and name a lean and clean and well-balance cabinet than rush to it and have to visit those problems later. I think the more careful the discussion are now the better for the working of the coalition afterwards."
Observers say announcement of the new cabinet is not likely to come before next week at the earliest.