Kenya's opposition party, Orange Democratic Movement(ODM) led by Raila Odinga has called for mass protests and rallies to last three days from 16.Jan to 18 January 2008. This will certainly lead to further bloodshed in what has long been one of East Africa's most stable economy. The Rallies will be in fifteen venues including Mombasa all starting at 10:00 am on the said days.

According to the government, Kibaki "offered dialogue," but Odinga was not responsive.Odinga, meanwhile, said Kibaki refused to sign an agreement to establish an interim coalition government and conduct an inquiry into the Electoral Commission of Kenya.Odinga has said he would meet Kibaki only in the presence of an international mediator, but Kibaki wants direct talks.

 

The ODM party has previously tried to carry out rallies which have been blocked by police firing tear gas, water cannon and live bullets over people's heads.

 

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will take over the task, but is not expected to arrive in Nairobi before Tuesday after the AU Chairman who is also the President of Ghana failed to resolve the matter after staying in Kenya for two days. Mr. Koffi Annan is expected to stay in Kenya longer than two days.

 

Hopes for a power-sharing compromise were dampened when Mr Kibaki's allies were sworn in on Thursday as Cabinet ministers, the third candidate made vice president and the positions which are vacant are simply minor ministerial posts. Mr Kibaki says that those have been sworn to run the government as the other posts can be filled after getting to a solution.