Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kenyan President Withdraws Controversial Nominations


President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki, July 26, 2010 (file photo)
President of Kenya Mwai Kibaki, July 26, 2010 (file photo)

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has withdrawn four nominations that threatened to split the country's fragile power-sharing government.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga had objected to the president's nominations for chief justice, attorney general, director of public prosecutions, and controller of budget. He said Mr. Kibaki made the nominations without consulting him, as required by Kenya's new constitution.

Speaking in Nairobi Tuesday, the president said he was inviting Mr. Odinga for "further consultations" on the attorney general position.

He said the chief justice position would be filled through Kenya's Judicial Service Commission, while the other two spots would be advertised through the Public Service Commission.

There was no immediate comment from Mr. Odinga.

Last week, Kenyan House Speaker Kenneth Marende declared the nominations illegal, and referred the matter back to the government to restart the process.

Kenya's coalition government has held together since 2008 despite tensions between Mr. Kibaki and Mr. Odinga, who were rivals in the 2007 presidential election.

The two men and their parties formed the government after disputed election results triggered unrest across Kenya that killed some 1,300 people.

Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

XS
SM
MD
LG