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Nairobi: Kenya's former opposition party said on Thursday any attempt to undermine its power-sharing accord with President Mwai Kibaki could provoke more turmoil in the east African country.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), the largest party in parliament, was responding to comments by the civil service head implying ODM would take second rank in the new administration.
After weeks of mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan and pressure from around the world, Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga signed a deal to end the crisis over a disputed election that killed more than 1,000 people.
But the agreement is yet to be ratified by parliament and details such as the powers of a new prime minister's post likely to go to Odinga, division of cabinet jobs, and the makeup of the civil service, are proving contentious.
ODM Secretary-General Anyang Nyong'o said anyone trying to undermine the 50-50 power-sharing, which the two leaders agreed to, would endanger the fragile peace in Kenya.
Noble initiative
"Any attempt to ridicule this noble initiative by introducing a hierarchy of relationship between the two parties or the two leaders goes contrary to the spirit of the Grand Coalition and risks causing unnecessary political discomfort," Nyong'o said. "The people of Kenya have pinned their hopes for the restoration of peace in our country on the success of the accord and the smooth working of the Grand Coalition. This includes implementing the 50 per cent share in the whole government."
Earlier this week, the head of the public service, Francis Muthaura, upset ODM by saying Kibaki retained power to appoint the new prime minister. Muthaura implied the premier's post would be third in rank after the vice-president. And he said the accord "does not include sharing of jobs in the public service".
Asked whether such comments could provoke more violence, Nyong'o said yes, and added that the statement had brought renewed calls for mass action from ODM supporters.
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