CHEPKIOYO, Kenya – Yesterday Kofi Annan spoke of progress and hopes of a deal by next week, however opposition leader Raila Odinga has returned to his original sentiment. During the funeral of legislator David Kimutai Too today, Odinga returned to the theme that rallied supporters earlier: “You cannot steal my cow, and I catch you red-handed, and then expect me to share the milk because the cow is mine.”

Annan and western diplomats were hopeful both sides would agree to a power-sharing government. Negotiators reported, yesterday, that Odinga’s mediators had agreed to recognize Mwai Kibaki as the duly elected president but his speech at the funeral indicates an end to the reconciliation period. Odinga is once again demanding Kibaki’s resignation and a re-election.

The funeral was the first mass gathering since the government lifted the ban of rallies after the election. Nearly 5,000 people fled the western town of Kericho, fearing that violence would erupt at the funeral. Fortunately, the thousands of mourners that gathered to bury Too remained peaceful.

Too was shot dead on January 21st by an officer. The police claim the killing was triggered by a love quarrel and have labeled the murder a “crime of passion.” However, Odinga and the ODM party claim the killing was an assassination. 

Another ODM legislator, Melitus Were, was killed the same week as Too’s murder and nearly 1,000 have died during the post- election crisis. Odinga’s sentiment is an unfortunate set-back to what appeared to be significant mediating progress.

For more information please see:

Reuters: Africa – Thousands Mourn Slain Kenya Opposition MP – 9 February 2008

Yahoo News – Kenya Opposition Drops Conciliatory Tone – 9 February 2008