Zimbabwe can learn from Kenya's experience

These are the sentiments of Moses Wetangula, Kenya's Foreign Minister, who was recently interviewed by the BBC on whether this was really the case. Mr. Wetangula is part of a 'Grand Coalition ' Government set up in Kenya as a settlement to end the political impasse that was created after a flawed Presidential poll led to serious political, social and economic turmoil. The Grand Coalition government brought the two main political parties, opposed in their view of who won the election, into one government with the Electoral Commission announced President, PNU's Mwai Kibaki, remaining as President and his rival ODM's Raila Odinga taking up the post of Prime Minister with executive powers. The post of Prime Minister had not been in existence in Kenya for over 40 years but was a conciliatory arrangement made by the two main parties along with a cabinet inclusive of Parliamentarians from both sides. Other smaller parties are, by and large, also represented in Government and Parliament is without an official opposition. It could be argued that the Grand Coalition arrangement has united Kenya as a whole just as it has united it's politicians under one government. It has without doubt been the chief factor in quelling social and political unrest. Zimbabwe can definitely learn from Kenya's experience with crisis in it's quest to find lasting peace and Mr. Wetangula's interview may provide some insights.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7554929.stm