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Kenyan leaders will share power

Their agreement seeks to end ethnic violence that began after elections Dec. 27.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya's feuding politicians shook hands, smiled for the cameras, and finally agreed to share power. But two months after a disputed presidential election unleashed ethnic violence that killed more than 1,000 people, the real test is whether the reluctant partners can heal a deeply divided nation.

Much depends on how President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga work together in the days ahead.

"For the last two months, Kenyans have known nothing but sadness," said Odinga, who won a powerful prime minister's post in Thursday's agreement.

He referred to his rival as "my countryman, President Mwai Kibaki" - a clear sign of acceptance after having denounced Kibaki's re-election as a sham.

Kibaki added: "This process has reminded us that as a nation there are more issues that unite than that divide us."

Under the agreement, the opposition leader will become prime minister and have the power to "coordinate and supervise" the government - more authority than Kibaki wanted to yield.

The bitterness between them runs deep, however, and both men have been lashing out at each other since the Dec. 27 election. They have traded accusations about inciting violence, stealing the vote and destroying the nation. They had not even been in the same room for weeks before Thursday.

Kofi Annan, the mediator, had to prompt them to shake hands Thursday as the cameras rolled.

The two men must try to repair the lives of more than a half-million people who have been displaced from their homes and require food, water and medical care. Kenya's Red Cross says it knows of at least 500 youngsters who were separated from their families.

There is also the matter of restoring one of Africa's most promising economies. Kenya, one of the most prosperous and tourist-friendly countries in Africa, has seen up to $1-billion in losses linked to the turmoil.

Kenyans welcomed the deal with a skeptical eye. In a reminder of the previous weeks' chaos, police fired tear gas to disperse dozens who gathered outside Kibaki's office to witness the signing.

"The deal between Raila and Kibaki will help to cool down the situation, but I doubt if it will enable us to get back to our homes," said Paul Waweru, 56, among 19,000 people living in a camp in the western town of Eldoret.

Diana Murugi, 72, whose two sons were killed in the bloodshed, said the deal was meaningless.

"The coalition is about Kibaki, Raila and the big men," she said. "What about those of us here in the camp? How will I reconcile with people who killed my sons? It is impossible, even if Kibaki and Raila are in the same government."

[Last modified February 29, 2008, 01:20:13]