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Kibaki offer on unity government Kibaki offer on unity government
(about 4 hours later)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki says he is ready to form a government of national unity, an official statement said. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki has said he is willing to form a government of national unity.
The statement was issued after Mr Kibaki met the top US diplomat on Africa, Jendayi Frazer. After a meeting with the US diplomat Jendayi Frazer, he said he wanted to "help in the healing" process in Kenya.
But opposition leader Raila Odinga says Mr Kibaki must step down as president and that his preferred option remains for new elections to be held. In response, opposition leader Raila Odinga indicated he was willing to negotiate, but reiterated his view that Mr Kibaki should step down.
Kenya has been beset by violence since polls last month which the opposition says were rigged in Mr Kibaki's favour.Kenya has been beset by violence since polls last month which the opposition says were rigged in Mr Kibaki's favour.
In the latest clashes, several houses were set on fire in Nairobi's Mathare slum district, the Associated Press news agency reported, adding that one man had been shot dead by police.In the latest clashes, several houses were set on fire in Nairobi's Mathare slum district, the Associated Press news agency reported, adding that one man had been shot dead by police.
And the BBC's Grant Ferrett in the western city of Kisumu says hundreds of ethnic Kikuyus were being forced to leave on buses after being targeted by opposition supporters who accused them of backing President Kibaki.And the BBC's Grant Ferrett in the western city of Kisumu says hundreds of ethnic Kikuyus were being forced to leave on buses after being targeted by opposition supporters who accused them of backing President Kibaki.
'No direct negotiations' Opposition caution
Mr Kibaki said in a statement that he was "ready to form a government of national unity that would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process".Mr Kibaki said in a statement that he was "ready to form a government of national unity that would not only unite Kenyans but would also help in the healing and reconciliation process".
The statement also said Ms Frazer had commended Mr Kibaki for reaching out to the opposition to stop the violence, and had called on all parties to embrace dialogue. The statement also said Ms Frazer - the top US diplomat on Africa - had commended Mr Kibaki for reaching out to the opposition to stop the violence, and had called on all parties to embrace dialogue.
KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15% Ethnic tensionsViolence scars town KENYA'S ETHNIC GROUPS Population 34.5m, comprising more than 40 ethnic groupsKikuyu are the largest tribe, mostly concentrated around NairobiMost of Eastern/ North-eastern regions sparsely populated with ethnic Somalis Main ethnic groups are: Kikuyu: 22% Luhya: 14% Luo: 13% Kalenjin: 12% Kamba: 11%Kisii: 6%Meru: 6%Other African: 15% Ethnic tensionsViolence scars town
But Mr Odinga said his position had not changed. But Mr Odinga said he was not prepared to negotiate through the media, and he would only consider the proposal at official negotiations - to which he had not yet received a formal invitation.
"We want a negotiated settlement. Our starting point is that Kibaki is there illegally. He should not come to the negotiating table as the president," he said. "Our starting point is that Kibaki is there illegally. He should not come to the negotiating table as the president," he said.
He said there would be no direct negotiations with Mr Kibaki. But Mr Odinga showed little interest in a national unity government, saying it was a way to "cheat the Kenyans of their rights".
It is understood that Ms Frazer was to have a second round of talks with Mr Odinga. Mr Odinga's team has demanded that an international mediator help settle the dispute - his spokesman Salim Lone telling Reuters news agency that without such a presence, the opposition has little faith any agreement would be adhered to.
RefugeesRefugees
The US delegation is not releasing details of its side of discussions, but the BBC understands that it is pushing the line that there should be a government of national unity. The US delegation is not releasing details of the discussions, but the BBC understands that it is pushing for a government of national unity.
More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections.More than 350 people have been killed in Kenya and 250,000 made homeless in violence since the 27 December elections.
The talks in Nairobi come amid warnings by UN officials that a humanitarian crisis was worsening across Kenya, with the west and the Rift Valley worst hit.The talks in Nairobi come amid warnings by UN officials that a humanitarian crisis was worsening across Kenya, with the west and the Rift Valley worst hit.
There is plenty of food in the country but trucks have been unable to deliver it because of vigilante violence on many roads, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports.There is plenty of food in the country but trucks have been unable to deliver it because of vigilante violence on many roads, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing supplies for 100,000 people in the northern Rift Valley.The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is providing supplies for 100,000 people in the northern Rift Valley.
"We need supplies up here urgently particularly of cooking oil and of corn-soya blend which is particularly important for feeding young children at risk of malnutrition," the WFP's Marcus Prior told the BBC."We need supplies up here urgently particularly of cooking oil and of corn-soya blend which is particularly important for feeding young children at risk of malnutrition," the WFP's Marcus Prior told the BBC.
The Red Cross are arranging transport and security to make sure the food gets where it is needed.
Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963.Kenyan politics has been dogged by ethnic tensions since independence in 1963.
Mr Kibaki depends for support on the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who seek greater autonomy - back Mr Odinga.Mr Kibaki depends for support on the largest ethnic group, the Kikuyus, while the western Luo and Kalenjin groups - who seek greater autonomy - back Mr Odinga.