Power-sharing in Kenya

Following a disputed election in late 2007, ethnic clashes engulfed Kenya in January and February 2008. Under an accord brokered by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Kenya’s two main political parties agreed to a power-sharing arrangement as a way to end the violence. The accord called for the creation of a Grand Coalition government in which the two parties would be equal partners. The agreement has so far proven effective in restoring peace in Kenya. Yet there remains significant potential for future conflict, and the success of the agreement in coming years will largely depend on how Kenya’s political leaders negotiate a number of divisive issues.