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Kenyan rivals meet face-to-face Kenyan rivals meet face-to-face
(about 1 hour later)
Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, have met for the first time since last month's disputed presidential election.Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, have met for the first time since last month's disputed presidential election.
The talks in Nairobi were mediated by former UN chief Kofi Annan, who said some first steps had been taken towards a peaceful solution to the crisis.The talks in Nairobi were mediated by former UN chief Kofi Annan, who said some first steps had been taken towards a peaceful solution to the crisis.
Weeks of violence followed the election results, rejected by Mr Odinga and described as flawed by observers.Weeks of violence followed the election results, rejected by Mr Odinga and described as flawed by observers.
Earlier, a rights group accused Mr Odinga's party of ethnic violence.Earlier, a rights group accused Mr Odinga's party of ethnic violence.
I can't go back to Kapkenduywa primary school because I will be killed by attackers Kimani Nganga MarugeKenya's oldest school pupil OAP pupil flees violence
"We have evidence that Orange Democratic Movement politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence," said Human Rights Watch's acting Africa director."We have evidence that Orange Democratic Movement politicians and local leaders actively fomented some post-election violence," said Human Rights Watch's acting Africa director.
ODM spokesman Salim Lone said HRW should provide concrete evidence before jeopardising mediation efforts. The party has denied previous accusations of ethnic cleansing.ODM spokesman Salim Lone said HRW should provide concrete evidence before jeopardising mediation efforts. The party has denied previous accusations of ethnic cleansing.
The unrest which has left more than 650 people dead and driven 250,000 from their homes.The unrest which has left more than 650 people dead and driven 250,000 from their homes.
'Extra mile''Extra mile'
The breakthrough meeting, which last about one-and-a-half hours, was hosted by Mr Annan at the president's office at Harambee House in central Nairobi.The breakthrough meeting, which last about one-and-a-half hours, was hosted by Mr Annan at the president's office at Harambee House in central Nairobi.
Afterwards, the rivals stood side-by-side, smiling and shaking hands in front of a crowd which had gathered outside. Afterwards, the former UN secretary general emerged to say progress had been made during the meeting, describing it as "a very encouraging development".
We have taken the first vital steps in resolving electoral disputes - I ask everyone to be patient and uphold peace in a spirit of brotherhood Raila OdingaOrange Democratic MovementWe have taken the first vital steps in resolving electoral disputes - I ask everyone to be patient and uphold peace in a spirit of brotherhood Raila OdingaOrange Democratic Movement
Neither man mentioned what had been discussed, but both expressed their commitment to peace and asked their supporters to maintain calm as they continued the newly established dialogue. "I think we have begun to take some first steps towards a peaceful solution of the problem, and as you can see, the two leaders are here to underline their engagement to dialogue and to work together for a just and sustainable peace," he said.
He was followed by Mr Odinga and Mr Kibaki, who both made statements in front of dozens of cameramen and journalists outside, and a few hundred people who had gathered in the street opposite.
Both men shook hands with broad smiles and expressed their commitment to peace and asked their supporters to maintain calm as they continued the newly established dialogue.
"We have taken the first vital steps in resolving electoral disputes," Mr Odinga said."We have taken the first vital steps in resolving electoral disputes," Mr Odinga said.
"I pledge to all Kenyans that my team and I will spare no effort to resolve this crisis," he added. "We are ready to walk the extra mile if that will enable Kenyans to get peace.""I pledge to all Kenyans that my team and I will spare no effort to resolve this crisis," he added. "We are ready to walk the extra mile if that will enable Kenyans to get peace."
Mr Kibaki also welcomed the talks and insisted he was committed to dialogue.Mr Kibaki also welcomed the talks and insisted he was committed to dialogue.
"As government, we are determined to get to the underlying causes of these unprecedented events and to lead the nation in a process of healing, reconciliation and lasting harmony," he said after Mr Odinga's statement."As government, we are determined to get to the underlying causes of these unprecedented events and to lead the nation in a process of healing, reconciliation and lasting harmony," he said after Mr Odinga's statement.
Onlookers clapped and cheered as the two rivals shook hands
Differences between the two remained, however, with Mr Odinga insisting on restoring justice and Mr Kibaki stating he had been "sworn in as your duly elected president of Kenya".Differences between the two remained, however, with Mr Odinga insisting on restoring justice and Mr Kibaki stating he had been "sworn in as your duly elected president of Kenya".
Violence has claimed more than 650 lives in the past month The BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says the symbolism and significance of this meeting was enormous, but there is still a great deal of work to be done and compromise required for them to resolve their differences and reach an agreed way forward.
Nevertheless, Mr Annan described the meeting as "a very encouraging development". Detailed talks between the rivals are due to begin in the morning.
"I think we have begun to take some first steps towards a peaceful solution of the problem, and as you can see, the two leaders are here to underline their engagement to dialogue and to work together for a just and sustainable peace." The announcement of the talks came as a surprise to many in Nairobi. Several earlier attempts to get the rivals to meet had failed, with Mr Kibaki insisting on direct talks and Mr Odinga refusing to meet without a mediator.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw in Nairobi says that despite the encouraging signs, it looks like there could be a long road ahead before a solution is found that suits both the government and the opposition.
Several earlier attempts to get the rival leaders to hold face-to-face talks failed, with Mr Kibaki insisting on direct talks and Mr Odinga refusing to meet without a mediator.
On Wednesday, Mr Odinga called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in Nairobi after holding talks with Mr Annan.On Wednesday, Mr Odinga called off a mass protest planned for Thursday in Nairobi after holding talks with Mr Annan.
Ethnic attacks 'planned'
Earlier, Human Rights Watch accused ODM officials of helping to organise violence in the Rift Valley region in which hundreds of President Kibaki's Kikuyu community were killed following the announcement of his election victory.
Thousands of people have fled their homes, especially in the Rift ValleyTheir researchers spoke to member of the rival Kalenjin group, who said they were mobilised by their leaders to attack and loot Kikuyu-owned shops and businesses.
Local ODM officials and Kalenjin leaders "arranged frequent meetings following the election to organise, direct and facilitate the violence unleashed by gangs of local youth", HRW said.
The HRW report came as at least 12 people were killed overnight in several incidents throughout the country, including eight people in the Rift Valley capital, Nakuru, according to the AFP news agency.