NAIROBI, Kenya – Talks and hopes resumed today for the third week of negotiations to end the chaos and violence in Kenya. Raila Odinga’s comment during the funeral of slain legislator David Kimutai Too on Saturday, to remain steadfast on the issue of President Kibaki’s resignation, renewed fears that an agreement would not be reached and the violence would continue.

However, today former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and mediators remained positive that mediation would resume and a deal could be met within two to three days. Annan has invited both sides to meet privately outside Nairobi and to refrain from discussing negotiation issues with anyone.   

The possible solutions that have circulated are: 1) a power-sharing government with Odinga becoming Prime Minister or 2) a joint presidential term of five years in which Kibaki rules the first half of the term with Odinga completing it.

Along with political talks, issues such as the humanitarian crisis stemming from the post election violence will also be discussed. A UN envoy led by Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes visited several hot-zones in Kenya for three days. An estimated 600,000 have been displaced by the violence and about 300,000 were in make-shift camps. The UN has appealed for $42 million (£21.6 million) from the international donor community.

For more information please see:

AllAfrica.com – Hopes for a Breakthrough in the Post-Election Crisis – 11 February 2007

Reuters: Africa- Annan Hopes for Kenya Talks Result in 2-3 Days – 11 February 2007

BBC- Some 600,000 Displaced in Kenya – 11 February 2008