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Crisis talks for Kenya coalition Crisis talks for Kenya coalition
(40 minutes later)
The party of Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga is holding crisis talks amid complaints it is being sidelined by President Mwai Kibaki. The leaders of Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga's party are holding crisis talks amid complaints it is being sidelined by President Mwai Kibaki.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is meeting in Nairobi to discuss its position in the coalition government. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) says it was not consulted over a new media law, among other major decisions.
ODM leaders say they were not consulted by their coalition partners over a new media law, among other major decisions. Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki agreed to share power last year to end clashes over disputed elections which left some 1,500 people dead.
Antagonism between the two parties last year after polls plunged Kenya into the worst violence since independence. Some Kenyans fear political bickering could lead to renewed violence.
Correspondents say Monday's ODM talks, led by the prime minster, mark the first open signs of a serious rift in the coalition government, which is three months away from marking its first anniversary. The BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi says tension has been brewing between the coalition partners for some time.
But he says the political hornets' nest was really stirred up on Friday when President Kibaki approved a controversial media bill - reportedly against the wishes of Mr Odinga - which journalists say will muzzle the press.
Many Kenyans have been rebuilding their lives after the clashes early last year which left more than 300,000 displaced.
Freedom fighters
ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba told Kenya's Standard newspaper: "As partners in this coalition, we are asking for some respect."ODM parliamentary group secretary Ababu Namwamba told Kenya's Standard newspaper: "As partners in this coalition, we are asking for some respect."
Later in the week the party is expected to meet again in Nairobi to discuss the way forward on the National Accord, which paved the way for the ODM to share power with President Kibaki's the Party of National Unity (PNU) after last year's post-election violence. Later in the week the party full leadership is expected to meet again in Nairobi to discuss the way forward on the National Accord.
The ODM has been unhappy with recent decisions involving the constitution of an interim Electoral Commission of Kenya, which was disbanded after last year's poll-related bloodshed, and the appointment of ambassadors. Mwai Kibaki said the new media law would safeguard moral values
The party also says President Kibaki did not consult Prime Minister Odinga when he signed into law on Friday a media bill that journalist critics say will muzzle the press. That agreement, brokered by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan in February 2008, paved the way for the ODM to share power with President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU).
The ODM has been unhappy with recent decisions involving the constitution of an interim electoral commission - the original was disbanded after the disputed poll - and the appointment of ambassadors.
Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai on Sunday criticised the president for signing the bill, saying he had turned his back against a media that had elevated him to the presidency.Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai on Sunday criticised the president for signing the bill, saying he had turned his back against a media that had elevated him to the presidency.
Kenyans would not surrender basic freedoms for which they had fought for many years, he said.Kenyans would not surrender basic freedoms for which they had fought for many years, he said.
The Kenyan Communications Amendment Bill gives the authorities the power to raid media offices, tap phones and control broadcast content on grounds of national security.The Kenyan Communications Amendment Bill gives the authorities the power to raid media offices, tap phones and control broadcast content on grounds of national security.
President Kibaki said on Friday that the bill was crucial for Kenya's economic development and would safeguard moral values.President Kibaki said on Friday that the bill was crucial for Kenya's economic development and would safeguard moral values.
Correspondents say the former British colony, which won independence in 1963, boasts one of the region's liveliest media scenes.