Kenyan Rivals Reach Power-Sharing Deal
NPR - February 28, 2008

Kenya's government and opposition party leaders signed a power-sharing deal on Thursday in an effort to end post-election violence that has left more than 1,000 people dead.

In a televised ceremony, President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga signed the pact, which created a prime minister post demanded by the opposition.

Kibaki's re-election in December set off a dispute, as both men claimed victory in a vote that international observers said was rigged by both sides.

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"This process has reminded us that as a nation there are more issues that unite than that divide us," Kibaki said.

Under the agreement, the opposition leader will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government - more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield. Odinga was upbeat about the agreement.

"The new partnership will strengthen the government in addressing the challenges facing our country more comprehensively. It is important that, in particular, we deal with problem of negative ethnicity, national cohesion and unity," Odinga said ...