Nairobi - Talks to resolve the political stalemate in Kenya have hit a snag after the government and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) failed to agree on a number of issues.


The ODM's William Ruto said negotiators of the two parties walked out of the dialogue when they failed to reach a consensus on several outstanding issues including the role of the Prime Minister.

During the meeting on Monday it was agreed that the two principal players, President Mwai Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga, would meet to agree on the way forward.

The talks had resumed Monday after a weekend of consultations and a clarification by the government side on the status of the mediation.

The teams were expected to deliberate and agree on the formula to distribute ministerial slots between ODM and President Kibaki' party of National Unity (PNU) as well as the responsibilities of the Prime Minister, a post now provided for in Kenya's current Constitution.

However, the negotiators emerged from the meeting without much progress.

Mutula Kilonzo, did however, say that some of the hurdles had been overcome.

By Monday evening, Mr Odinga was meeting with former United Nations Secretary-General Koffi Annan, who is leading the mediation team for the dialogue, at a closed-door meeting.

The team is also expected to address the formation of a coalition and the review of the Constitution.

Meanwhile, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka says an independent review committee should be established to inquire into all aspects of the 27 December, presidential elections.

Mr Kalonzo said the committee is vital to help Kenya and the world know the truth of what transpired and to make sure such an occasion does not recur.

Speaking at State House Entebbe where he held talks with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on the ongoing mediation talks, Mr Kalonzo said the government had adopted a tough stand in guaranteeing security of all Kenyans as well as goods being transported to neighbouring countries.

He expressed optimism that a breakthrough would be reached soon and a settlement that is acceptable to both the government and ODM reached.

"More needs to be done to address the plight of the Internally Displaced Persons. Each passing day without a long lasting solution is hurting Kenyans living in camps,” Mr Kalonzo said.

He assured President Museveni that Kenya would do everything possible to speed up the clearance of goods destined for Uganda.

"We are going to ensure efficiency at the port of Mombasa is at its optimum to facilitate effective trade in the region", he said.

President Museveni said Uganda's economy felt aftershocks of the chaos in Kenya and urged all parties to the dispute to put the interest of citizens first.

"It is the wish of the residents of Uganda and the region that Kenya comes out of this unfortunate situation strong, united and prosperous," he said. – BuaNews-NNN