Kenyan leader seeks to calm political storm

[dArKeR]

By James Macharia

Nairobi - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki moved to quell rising political tension on Monday ahead of a rally called by a key faction of the ruling coalition to press for the enactment of a new constitution.

Senior members of Kibaki's cabinet have quarrelled publicly for months over proposals in a newly drafted constitution to trim the presidency's powers, a dispute Kenyans fear could rip apart the ruling coalition.

The rally, planned for July 3, could act as a show of strength for powerful cabinet minister Raila Odinga who has strong support from the Luo community and has championed constitutional change that would see the creation of a new post of prime minister.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=qw1088445060416B251

[yellowcanine]

1. The Kenyan system is kind of odd in that they have a parlimentary system

but a president instead of a prime minister. In the past there has been abuse of power by President Kenyatta and President Moi (particularly Moi). It seems that having a separate Prime Minister might reduce the risk for such abuse of power. (Not that we in the U.S. can comment on it too much, as we basically have the same problem with the current WH Occupant.