By Nick Ludlam in Kenya
Opposition leader Raila Odinga was in church on Sunday and I'm sure he must have been praying for a miracle.
It is looking more and more likely he will need one to get Mwai Kibaki to stand down as president of Kenya. What he does have is a lot of supporters that are still seething at what they feel was a rigged election.
The Kibera slum on the edge of Nairobi is home to a million people and an Odinga stronghold. The Matatus, minibus taxis, were back weaving through the burnt out cars and boulders.
People were walking to and from services in half burnt churches (including this man above). But on one street corner a crowd of men were stopping vehicles. Some would get through unscathed, others were pelted with rocks.
They were protesting the election result they said; they didn't want anyone to think everything was back to normal, that they had given up. Behind them 'No Raila, No Peace', was painted across corrugated metal fencing.
There is a sense of uncertainty here at which way things will go. Shuttle diplomacy is running at full throttle in Nairobi to make sure they go the right way.
The US special envoy is here, the British, American and EU representatives are working around the clock to help facilitate a solution. Soon the current Africa Union chairman, John Kufuor of Ghana, will be here to act as mediator.
Everyone is hoping a solution can be found. Encouraging phrases like 'national unity government' and 'constitutional reform' are bandied about. But such things have been tried before and failed.
This time however, the world is watching. And this time the whole country is praying that something will work.
Insofar as the matter of Kenya, indeed a very sad outcome as to what may have been the underlying message of intent. Notwithstanding global events surrounding the presidental choice, then perhaps parties may wish to consider a term no longer than 5 years, so as to allow free and fair electoral choice. Thus by not only will such stability keep "Kim Wilde" in "Cambodia" but further strenghten the cohabital elements, somewhat disturbed by evens most recent. To that end, one can only but hope all parties choose the best actions towards future prosperity, but give the gift of life health to those whom suffer by virtue of such impusle marketing.
Posted by: Khalid 7 Jan 2008 15:13:41