Kenya politicians demand early poll

The opposition says Kenyans have suffered enough

Opposition leaders in Kenya are demanding that elections be held six months early so that a new government can pull the country out of economic crisis.

We in the opposition have been working closely on strategies to win the coming elections

Opposition leader Mwai Kibaki

The calls came from the head of the Democratic Party and official opposition leader, Mwai Kibaki, and the chairman of the Social Democratic Party, James Orengo.

General elections are expected in December 2002, but the opposition politicians demanded they be brought forward to June.

In a New Year's statement, Mr Kibaki said it was now obvious the government of President Daniel arap Moi could not deliver the required services.

There has been speculation that Mr Moi could use his New Year address to name his anointed heir, but he has consistently refused to confirm when he will step down.

Opposition strategies

Reports said the opposition demand is likely to fall on deaf ears, because the power to dissolve parliament and call elections rests with President Moi.

Moi is notoriously reticent about when he will step down

Mr Moi, who is constitutionally barred from seeking another term in office, is also leader of the ruling Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party.

"We in the opposition have been working closely on strategies to win the coming elections and are ready at any time to face the challenge," Mr Kibaki said in his statement.

He said elections should be held before the end of the financial year so that a new direction could be charted for the country.

Mr Kibaki also expressed concern that the government might be unable to sustain the economy during the current financial year without support from international lenders.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has frozen funding to Kenya because of the slow pace of economic reform and concerns about corruption.

Kenya's 'suffering'

The DP's deputy secretary general, Emmanuel Maitha, told the AFP news agency that the country now deserved a better deal from its government.

"Kenyans are suffering because of the mismanagement of the current government, we have poverty, ethnic tensions and other problems," he was quoted as saying.

"We need a change of leadership," he said.

President Moi will be delivering his New Year speech from the coastal city of Mombasa, and not from his home town of Nakuru.

The change of venue has prompted speculation that he will name his successor, but the leader is notorious for keeping everyone guessing.

Front-runners include Uhuru Kenyatta, son of the country's founding president Jomo Kenyatta.