Kenya Reveals Coalition Cabinet

Kenya President Mwai Kibaki has announced opposition leader Raila Odinga as the new prime minister, after the two agreed the deal to end the long-running political crisis on Saturday. The crisis started during last year’s presidential elections, which triggered violence resulting to 1,500 deaths. The deal was a result of the two parties negotiating on how cabinet posts were to be divided.

In a live televised speech alongside Odinga, President Kibaki said, “My challenge to the new cabinet members and the entire national leadership at all levels is: let us put politics aside and get to work. Let us build a new Kenya where justice is our shield and defender, and where peace, liberty and plenty will be found throughout our country.”

A total of 40 posts were named that were split between the opposition and the PNU (Party of National Unity) and its allies. However, some lobbyists are arguing that Kenya could not afford so many posts.

The two leaders have come under international pressure to make a deal as thousands of deaths has occurred related to post-poll violence in January and February, which also displaced 600,000 people from their homes.