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Odinga's ODM calls for rallies
26/02/2008 07:26 - (SA)
Tom Maliti
Nairobi - Kenya's opposition called for nationwide rallies after accusing the government of backing away from plans to share power to end a deadly dispute over the country's deeply flawed presidential election.
The opposition, Orange Democratic Movement, called for the rallies on Thursday, filing a document on Monday giving police the required three days' notice for any mass gathering. Past opposition rallies had descended into violence.
"The ODM shall hold nationwide peaceful meetings on Thursday," the letter said.
The opposition and government sides were engaged in lengthy and often bitter negotiations to end the deadlock over the December 27 vote, which the opposition said was stolen. A power-sharing deal seemed imminent last week, but the breakthrough never came.
On Monday, opposition negotiator William Ruto accused the government side of "changing their mind over sharing power". He declined to offer further details. Government negotiator Mutula Kilonzo denied any change in position.
Kilonzo said: "This is not correct at all. They thought this was a picnic where they would walk in and take over the government."
The country was still on edge nearly two months after the presidential vote that returned President Mwai Kibaki to power for a second five-year term after Raila Odinga's lead evaporated overnight.
International and local election monitors had said the results of the vote were manipulated, making it unclear who would have won.
- AP
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