Naming of Kenyan cabinet delayed

Kenya's rival leaders had previously agreed to a power-sharing deal

The naming of Kenya's new coalition cabinet is to be delayed after a last-minute disagreement between the country's two main parties.

An opposition spokesman said all major ministries had been set aside for the party of President Mwai Kibaki, contrary to an earlier agreement.

President Kibaki's party blamed the opposition for the delay, saying it had failed to submit a list of nominees.

Disputed presidential elections last December led to widespread violence.

A power-sharing deal was reached earlier this year.

Wrangling

"The widely expected announcement tomorrow of a new Cabinet that all Kenyans were so keenly awaiting has been delayed," said Salim Lone, spokesman for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) called for a meeting with ODM leader Raila Odinga on Sunday morning to break the deadlock.

"Today, President Mwai Kibaki requested Hon Raila Odinga to submit his proposals for appointments into the cabinet," said Alfred Mutua, a government spokesman.

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"The president is yet to receive the list."

Changes to Kenya's constitution had been made to allow the PNU and the ODM to join a grand coalition, in which power would be shared on a 50-50 basis.

But the two sides have since been wrangling over the allocation of key portfolios in the 40-member cabinet.

The constitutional amendment bill also created the post of prime minister and two deputies.

The National Accord and Reconciliation Act, which was also approved, states that the coalition will be dissolved if one party decides not to participate in the arrangement.

But it does not provide for the holding of a fresh election in the event that the coalition collapses.

Some 1,500 people died and 600,000 were displaced during the violence that followed December's disputed elections.

Many thousands have yet to return to their homes.