Kenya: 2nd MP backs opposition
2007-10-12 09:52
Nairobi - A second Kenyan cabinet minister announced his support on Thursday for the main opposition candidate seeking to unseat President Mwai Kibaki in elections at the end of the year.
Regional Co-operation Minister John Koech said he had reached his decision after consulting with constituents who had urged him to back Orange Democratic Movement hopeful, Raila Odinga.
The defection was more bad news for Kibaki who, only last week, fired his health minister, Charity Ngilu, for supporting Odinga.
Three opinion polls had put the former political prisoner Odinga, 62, well ahead of Kibaki, a 75-year-old economist seeking a second and final term of office.
Kibaki on Thursday called for a peaceful presidential campaign, days after pre-election violence left one person dead and three others wounded.
Kibaki said: "There is no need to fight amongst yourselves because of elections. We must resolve to live together peacefully as Kenyans and not allow political differences to create hatred amongst yourselves."
- AFP