Kufuor in Kenya to lead international efforts

Nairobi, Jan. 8, GNA - President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of the African Union (AU) is in the Kenyan Capital, Nairobi, to lead international efforts to resolve the political stalemate over the country's disputed presidential elections.

The visit was at the invitation of the Kenyan Leader Mwai Kibaki, who was on hand to personally welcome him at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. His main agenda would be a meeting with President Kibaki and the opposition leader Mr Raila Odinga on Wednesday to attempt to start a process of political dialogue for peaceful resolution of the disputed poll, threatening to melt down the East African nation, once hailed as a model of stability.

Mr Odinga's party, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which refused to accept defeat, claiming vote rigging, on Tuesday met to strategise its position in what appears to be going to be tough and difficult political negotiations.

As the battle now shifts from the streets to negotiating table, the opposition leader has said he would have face-to-face meeting with President Kibaki, only if it was part of the mediation effort by President Kufuor. Kenya came out badly scarred by violence that convulsed parts of the country leaving more than 300 killed and tens of thousands displaced.