This update was issued by AIM's Kenya Crisis Management Team

Today was the first day of Parliament since the settlement was signed a week ago. 

President Kibaki made a speech in which he presented four new bills that will legalize the new position of Prime Minister and start to deal with issues that were exposed in the post-election violence.  It was a very encouraging sight to see all the members of parliament smiling and talking together as they agreed to work together in the government of coalition.

It does feel like Kenya has turned a corner and is starting down the road to recovery.  It is true that it will be a long road, especially for those displaced or without jobs.  But the tension that has been so evident these past two months is slowly dissipating.  We praise the Lord for the current peace and political unity.

Please continue to pray for Kenya.

This update was issued by AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team.

Today is Monday the 3rd of March.  It has been four days since the signing of the political agreement.  I am happy to say that the country has received the settlement with happiness.  It appears that both political parties are pleased with the arrangement and the general population is breathing a sigh of relief to know that a solution has been found.

Yesterday Koffi Annan left the country to resume his normal life.  He was given a warm and heartfelt send-off.  Another mediator has been appointed from Nigeria to take his place to chair the ongoing talks regarding the long-term issues.

The Parliament is due to open on Thursday to begin its work.  Its first task should be to address the constitutional changes necessary to allow the new political settlement to be implemented.

Most of Kenya has gone back to work as normal.  There is however violence related to land issues going on near Mount Elgon on the western side of Kenya.  This is a perennial problem only exasperated by the recent climate of unrest.

Please continue to pray for Kenya as the settlement details are implemented and the long-term issues are being examined.  Pray for the many displaced people as they face a still-uncertain future.

2/28/08 - The following update was issued by AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team

We have wonderful news!  This afternoon at 5:00 p.m. a power-sharing agreement was signed by President Kibaki and Raila Odinga.  The country is rejoicing in this deal which provides hope for a peaceful future and a start to rebuilding after the past two months of chaos and tension.

Let me give you some short excerpts from the speeches which followed the public signing of the agreement this afternoon.

Koffi Annan:  "Let the spirit of healing begin today.  Let it begin now....

The journey is far from over.  It has only begun.... I call on all Kenyans to support the process of healing..."

Raila Odinga:  "We on our side are completely committed to seeing the negotiation succeed.  It is up to Parliament to ensure the enactment of this deal and begin the task of reconstruction...  We must destroy the mountain called 'ethnicity' in this nation... We have begun a journey..."

President Mwai Kibaki:  "Kenya has room for all of us if we enhance peace and unity...  There will be challenges along the way, but we shall succeed...  My government will fully support full implementation of the negotiation agreement... All Kenyans are called to fully embrace and support the process of reviewing the constitution... Embrace a spirit of togetherness and embark on this important journey... to transfer this country into an even greater place that we call home."

Those are powerful and encouraging words.  In the evening news at 9:00pm, shots were shown of people dancing and shouting happily in the streets.

In short, the new deal provides for a new position of Prime Minister which will have significant executive powers.  And the cabinet will be comprised of equal numbers of both parties.  In essence it allows for an equitable way to distribute real political power to both parties.  President Kibaki has called for the Parliament to open next Thursday to begin enacting the changes necessary to implement the signed agreement.

Koffi Annan has also reconvened the mediation talks.  They will begin to meet again tomorrow to start discussing the next item on their agenda, the long-term issues that influenced the recent crisis.  Those core issues include land ownership, poverty and unemployment.

Please praise God with us for this settlement!

And pray that the agreement will be accepted by the whole country.   Pray for the continued talks as they touch on other important issues.  And pray for the many internally displaced people around the country.  While this settlement is wonderful news, it does not negate the horrible effects of the recent violence and ethnic fighting.  Healing will take time.

The following update was issued by AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team

Monday has produced some disappointment here in Kenya.  In the mediation talks, the parties are in disagreement on the extent of power sharing that each party is demanding.  This afternoon and evening Koffi Annan met with President Kibaki and Raila Odinga separately in an effort to help them move the talks past the current stalemate.  Please continue to pray that the mediation teams will continue to find common ground and reach a solution soon.

In the meantime there is still talk of mass protests being staged at some time by the ODM supporters if a settlement is not reached this week.  People are getting tired of waiting for an answer and tensions seem to be on the rise.

That being said, the majority of the population are praying for peace and a return to normalcy.  There are many positive signs of a slow return to stability.  But there is still the very real possibility that violence could erupt again.  Please pray for God to restrain the violence and tempers in this country of Kenya.

The following update was issued by AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team

The events of Thursday in Kenya continue to give us hope.  The mediation talks seemed to be slowing down mid-week, with hardline stances being declared.  Yesterday the ODM party even threatened mass rallies again if a solution was not found within one week's time.  Tensions were beginning to rise.  There was talk of private militias being prepared in case a settlement is not reached.

But today a power-sharing arrangement was proposed and tentatively accepted by the mediation teams.  The talks closed early today to allow the individual teams to confer with their party members and leaders.  The mediation talks will resume tomorrow morning with the goal of producing a firm agreement on a coalition government by the weekend.

Koffi Annan is happy with the progress of the talks and his spokesman stated that he "is beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel."

Please continue to pray for these talks during these next crucial days.  We are hopeful.  But we are also realistic that even a "solution" may not please everyone in the country.  So pray also that whatever agreement is reached will be accepted by the people.

A spokesman for AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team (CMT) issued the following update:

Today was a quiet day around the country as people waited to hear results

from the mediation talks.    At 9:00pm tonight Koffi Annan's representative
sent a statement to the press saying that the mediation team would be moving out of Nairobi to an unknown location with a complete news blackout.  He said that the team expects to produce an agreement on the political stalemate within the next 48-72 hours.

It will be helpful for the team to hammer out their agreement without every point being discussed in the media.  Please pray for Koffi Annan and the mediation team during these next couple of days.  These are crucial days to the future of Kenya.

The following update was issued by a spokesman from AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team (CMT).

Thursday in Kenya was fairly quiet in most areas.  We did not hear reports of any major clashes around the country, although ethnic tension remains high in some areas.  The government did start transporting some displaced people today to their "ancestral areas."

The mediation talks continued today.   The talks closed a bit early for the
day when the two parties could not reach an agreement regarding results of the recent election.  But the talks are scheduled to resume again tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow (Friday) has been pronounced a day of prayer for the nation when we can seek divine intervention.  Please join us in praying for Kenya.

Tomorrow is also the beginning of RVA's midterm weekend.  Pray for a quiet weekend and safety for all those traveling.

This statement was issued today by a spokesman from AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team (CMT).

We experienced another relatively calm day in Kenya.  The mediation talks are slowly moving along.  Although few details are being divulged, Koffi Annan has expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the team as they discuss the sensitive issues surrounding the disputed election process.

There is continued ethnic tension in many parts of the country as people are being threatened or forced to leave their homes and businesses if they are from the "wrong" tribe.  The government has promised to transport many of the displaced people back to their "ancestral homes" starting tomorrow.

This will ease the burden and tension in the camps, but also indicates that life as we knew it will not return to its previous state any time soon.

Keep praying for Kenya. 

The following statement was issued by a spokesman from AIM's Nairobi-based Crisis Management Team (CMT).

Tuesday was another quiet day in Kenya.  There was no report of any violent clashes in the country although some areas in Western and Rift Valley continue to remain tense.

The roads are open through western parts of Kenya.  The railroad is working all the way to Kisumu.  So goods and people are moving in a more normal manner again.

The mediation talks are continuing.  They are starting to discuss the political issues of the past election.  So please continue to pray for this sensitive matter to be handled carefully and fairly.  Much depends on the outcome of this subject during these next few days.

Thanks so much for your prayers.