| 17 April 2008 |
Raila Odinga was sworn in as prime minister. |
| Mid-April 2008 |
An agreement on the division of portfolios within the coalition government was reached. This involved an increase in the number of ministries to forty. The most important portfolios reportedly remain with the Party of National Unity except for agriculture and local government.
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Early April 2008
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President Mwai Kibaki appointed Kenyan Appeals Court Justice Philip Waki to chair the commission of inquiry on post-election violence.
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18 March 2008
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The Kenyan national assembly approved a constitutional amendment and the National Accord and Reconciliation Act, which reflects the provisions of the agreement. However, tensions and divisions between the ODM and the PNU loomed over the appointment of ministers. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued the report of its fact-finding mission to Kenya on post-election violence.
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| Mid-March 2008 |
South African Justice Johann Kriegler was named to chair the independent review committee on the elections.
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5 March 2008
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The Council heard a Secretariat briefing on recent developments in Kenya, including the power-sharing agreement signed in late February.
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4 March 2008
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The Party of National Unity (PNU) of President Mwai Kibaki and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of opposition leader and former presidential contestant Raila Odinga reached agreements on a constitutional review process, a commission of inquiry on post-election violence, an independent review committee to look into the conduct and management of the elections, and a truth, justice and reconciliation commission.
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| 28 February 2008 |
A power-sharing agreement was signed between the Party of National Unity (PNU) of President Mwai Kibaki and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) of opposition leader and former presidential contestant Raila Odinga.
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| 26 February 2008 |
Talks stalled on the new prime minister’s powers, cabinet positions and new elections if the coalition government collapses.
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| Mid-February 2008 |
The parties seem agreed on a power-sharing arrangement, as well as on an independent panel to review the elections (but whose mandate seemingly does not include a final determination of election results).
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6 February 2008
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The Council adopted a presidential statement on Kenya under agenda item “Peace and Security in Africa” .
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Early February 2008
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The AU Assembly adopted a decision calling for an investigation into human rights violations and urged the parties to commit to a peaceful solution in conformity with rule of law. However, the decision did not mention the conduct of the elections, stressing instead the need for a “collective reflection” on the challenges linked to the tension and disputes that “often characterise electoral processes in Africa.”
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| 30 January 2008 |
The Security Council was briefed by Under Secretary-General B. Lynn Pascoe. He presented an overview of the political, security and humanitarian situation, noting that the Secretariat had been providing support to the mediation team. He also noted difficulties in getting the parties to publicly renounce violence, and concerns with the need for investigations into human rights abuses in Kenya.
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| 30 January 2008 |
After a Belgian proposal, Council members agreed on an oral press statement calling “on Kenya’s leaders to do all that is in their power to bring the violence to an end and to restore calm.”
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| 29 January 2008 |
Kenyan Foreign Minister Moses Wetangula asked to brief the Council. Members appeared divided on the issue. Some saw a need to hear a counterview. Others were uncomfortable with denying a request from a government.
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| Late January 2008 |
Difficult negotiations mediated by the Annan-led panel started. After delays, the parties agreed on a four-point negotiating agenda including an end to the violence, the humanitarian situation, the political crisis, and land and historical injustices (on which agreement is expected only within a year).
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| 10 January 2008 |
Talks broke down. The opposition complained that the PNU had backed off an agreement engendering the possibility of a re-run and an interim government, reportedly because of pressure from some in the PNU. The parties then agreed to mediation by an AU-backed panel of African eminent persons led by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
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| Early January 2008 |
A mediation initiative by the then AU Chairman, Ghanaian President John Kufuor, was launched with support from the US, the UK, the EU and the AU. Settlement prospects were diminished by the concurrent nomination of Kibaki supporters for key cabinet posts.
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| 1 January 2008 |
Thirty people were burned alive while sheltering inside a church. |
| 30 December 2007 |
The electoral commission announced Kibaki as the winner. EU observers questioned the credibility of electoral results, citing lack of access to some counting centres in the Central Province as well as evidence of irregularities. Strong international criticism also emerged from the UK, France and the EU. Demonstrations and ehtnically-motivated violence ensued, reportedly from supporters of both the government and opposition sides targeting civilians. Instability wasbeen concentrated in central, western and coastal Kenya. Opposition party Orange Democratic Movement obtained the majority in the parliament.
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| 27 December 2007 |
Presidential, parliament and local elections were held in Kenya under allegations of corruption. A political, security and humanitarian crisis ensued. An estimated 600,000 people were displaced in weeks as numerous reports of abuses against civilians emerged, including arbitrary killings, rape and arson.
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