Approach talks with humility
As we get set for the mediation led by former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, it is imperative that both sides in the political divide call at least a verbal ceasefire. It must appear, to observers from outside, quite childish of Kenya leaders from both the Government and Opposition sides to be threatening each other with prosecution at the International Court of Justice, for the calamities that have befallen their respective supporters.
At a time like this, the priority should not be puerile finger-pointing, but real concerns that Kenya stands on the brink unless a solution is found. Our leaders should right now be busy preparing for the talks that are bound to gather major international attention.
Instead, they are busy hurling accusations and counter-accusations at each other, completely oblivious to the fact that violence still reigns unabated in the Rift Valley and in many urban slums, which have been taken over by criminal gangs purporting to be enforcing one or the other political line.
The mediation led by Mr Annan at the head of a panel of Eminent Africans, could be doomed to failure unless both sides acknowledge Kenya faces a grave problem that can only be resolved if the interests of the people are put ahead of the interests of their leaders.
Both sides must be prepared to talk without setting unreasonable preconditions, and aware that a settlement will only be found if each is prepared to give way a little.
What all should realise is that we are dealing with a situation much more serious and much more dangerous than two individuals haggling over who is or should be the rightful occupant of State House.
The crisis we face is much more fundamental than whether it is President Kibaki or Mr Raila Odinga who was rightfully elected as president.
We are dealing with issues that touch on the very survival of Kenya as a nation, as well as the safety and security of some 33 million or so people.
The competing claims of two men to the power, comforts and privileges of high office, surely cannot be more important than the very real needs of the wider populace.
Let that be the acknowledgement with which both sides approach dialogue
Daily Nation editorial
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