SA judge to probe Kenya election

Justice Kriegler is a former chairman of South Africa's poll commission

A former South African judge has been appointed to lead a panel of experts investigating Kenya's disputed 2007 presidential elections.

President Mwai Kibaki has named Justice Johann Kriegler and six other members who will hold a public inquiry into allegations of electoral fraud.

The opposition said it was cheated of victory by President Mwai Kibaki but both sides have agreed to share power.

Some 1,500 people were killed and 600,000 displaced in election violence.

Justice Kreigler, 76, chaired South Africa's electoral commission in 1993 ahead of the elections which saw Nelson Mandela become the country's first black president.

He led South Africa's election commission until 1999, when he resigned citing differences with the government over plans for the country's second democratic elections.

Other members of the panel include Horacio Boneo, an Argentinian election specialist, and Tanzania's Justice Imani Daudi Aboud.

The panel is expected to begin its work next week.

Recommendations

International observers agreed that the December election count was flawed.

Justice Kreigler's panel has been set up following consultations between the President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) and the opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

Some 1,500 people died in violence sparked by the disputed polls

Both sides have picked two representatives while the panel of eminent persons lead by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan picked Justice Kreigler and two foreign experts.

Last month President Kibaki and ODM leader Raila Odinga signed a power-sharing deal that will lead to a formation of a grand coalition.

Parliament is due to begin a debate on the constitutional amendment that would create the post of the prime minister and two deputies next week.

Mr Odinga is expected to become prime minister.

Justice Kreigler's panel will be required to make recommendations within six months on how the electoral system in Kenya can be improved to avert a similar crisis in future.

The team will have the mandate to inquire into all aspects of the general elections, especially the presidential elections which sparked the countrywide violence.

It will quiz Electoral Commission of Kenya chairman Samuel Kivuitu.