The issue of power sharing and compromise does not arise here-the only way would be for Kibaki to step down which of course is very unlikely given what's at stake on his part.

Why talk of negotiation when the decision has already been made by voters? It's the same as walking down a street, being mugged then when confronted the mugger asking you to share 'the spoils' with them just for the sake of peace...

What is really needed is a Central transparent recount and whichever way the tally goes, it'll widely be known as having been done transparently.

Don A, Manchester, UK

There are factual errors in this report. Kalonzo Musyoka will have 15 seats and Kibaki about 65.

Vote of no confidence may not work as it involves the parliament being dissolved and new elections being called- many new MPs may not necessary want to through the baby with birth-water.

The most realistic option for Raila and Kenyans in general is to push for constitutional change to ensure such corruption of vote and people's choice will never happen again.

Complete independence of electoral process, triming of presidential powers through devolution and creation of PM office should eliminate these malpractices. With majority MPs, Raila is better suited to do this now than before.

On a more general point, Africans should be allowed to develop their own brand of democracy- the Anglo-Saxon style of winner -take- all has made Kenyan election outcome a matter of life and death. A more cooperative coalition based team leadership would suit Africa better.

Mtungei Ole Mpore, Newcastle, UK

i wish you people who are out there knew how grave the situation is here on the ground. children burning to death,and all the bloodshed,for sure this is a time for peace to call out on all people to be peaceful and in reconciliation,because the nation of Kenya is greater than any single individual.

Morris Kimathi, Nairobi, Kenya

Kindly note that the British media is getting the real situation wrong. The main fight in Kenya is not about the Luos and Kikuyus. Eldoret is very far from Luo land. It is in the heart of Kalenjin Land, of the former dictator Moi. Mombasa is hundreds of miles from Luo land. This is about a country fighting against political repression by the continent's latest dictator. The hypocrisy of the United States is also very disheartening.
At least the EU has called a spade, a spade.
The US is failing to point the real cause of the problem. A fraudulent counting process, that miraculously added figures to the Kibaki tally. There is no point of wasting time talking to dictators like Kibaki and Mugabe. Just act, and stop this latest dictator from taking root.
Experience shows that despots live in a fantasy world and would rather see their countries burn than relinquish power. Act on Dictator Kibaki, otherwise Kenya would be added to the long list of failed states in the region.

Opiyo K'Onyango, Nairobi, Kenya

Mr. Emellio Mwai Kibaki MUST go. This man, now being compared to Idi Amin, is leading the country into turmoil. Every Kenyan has reason to agitate against Kibaki's election rigging, otherwise, he will do the same thing for Kenyatta in 5 years and this will never stop. Kenya is not Uganda or Tanzania who lack a well educated and politically savy middle class. I am very perturbed that Kibaki would now want to do to Kenya that for which he campaign against Moi. He's now against the very people who put him in power. Here is a man who brought to Kenya marcenaries (remember the Artur brothers?) who, in the middle of the day, caused a security breach of epic proportions at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. He is the very same man who commissioned a body to investigate the Goldenberg but has never taken action. Remember the Anglo Leasing? Mwiraria? Murungaru, etc? Over 20 of his cabinet lost! Please, teel me how he could have won when his entire cabinet lost s badly.
Dr. Andrew Musila

Dr. Andrew David Musila, Pittsburgh, USA

Kibaki lost elections and decide to return the country to the dark Moi days leading to genocide in Kenya! What a legacy? He has emarrased the country and he should resign forthwith. It is not a Kikuyu affair but a Kibaki/Kivuitu affair.

Even if he is allowed to form a government how will he realistically form one with only 35 parliamentarians in a house of 222 members of parliament? How does he intend to possibly pass laws to help implement his wild election pledges? Or does he still imagine that he will somehow riggle his way through? This is not rocket science and so RESIGN Mr. President to save the country from this pain and embarrassment.

Masiga Dindi, London. Uk

Masiga Dindi, London, UK

Kenyans are tired of being bent over over and over again.We stood in line to vote and i can assure you that this is not the "change" we voted for.

Kalenjins disgusted by poor leadership voted all three of President Moi's sons out of power and razed his property to the ground in Nakuru!

I feel sad for anybody assaulted due to a "guilty by association factor" but as long as Kibaki is there this will not end.

Mutua, Atlanta, Ga

graham williams w, washington dc
the problem is you keep on using your yardstick to interpret the African environment. To the average african , the west is the problem in that you pretend to be " nice" people now when given your past occupation it was repression,exploitation and indignity for the African. There is nothing that you can teach or tell the africans that you were not given the chance to do that you did not do when you were running the affairs on the continent. To the africans you were actullay worse than the dictactors that you perennially condemn!!!

kariuki, sheffield, uk

Graham wrote earlier: "Even though the colonialists were bad for Africa - could they be any worse in the long run?" Hear, hear.

My question: how many churches were burned while Kenya was a British colony? Hint: none.

We did Africa and africans a great disservice with the rush to put democracy into an area with no knowledge or heritage of democracy, and no training/education. Just like in Iraq....

Jim Burks, Memphis, USA

Kibaki has blattantly stolen Kenyans victory, ruined it and turned it to Genocide.He is now sitting comfortably in state house without any regard to the common citizens dying on the streets.The people of Kenya have spoken yet he is still holding on to power with his totally rejected cabinet. It reaches a time when the nation is far more important than an individual so kibaki should swallow the bitter pill, step down and let democracy prevail in kenya.

Frank, London,

The price of freedom and democracy is expensive,even if it means costing your life, so be it.Kibaki and his advisors will have themselves to blame. A recount of the vote or a repeat presidential election will have stopped all this.This war is not about Raila,Even if Raila Concedes, the struggle to liberate kenya from the chains of the corrupt few and tribalism shall continue. Pls Understand that this violence is not incited by Raila and Raila has nothing to do with this, kenyans feel cheated, slapped inthe face and robbed off their democratic right. This violence is not about Luos and Kikuyus, it's about the rest of kenya versus the dominant few,the elites who are determined to do everything by any means to protect their ill gotten wealth at the expense of the rest of the poor kenyans.They know it's only Raila who will bring about really change in kenya, and leave them exposed to the rule of justice.

Mzalendo , San Antonio, United States

what we have seen and heard these days is one of the greatest assault to human dignity at the expense of power hunger. any human person be it a political leader or religious leader should try to reason beyond tribal nonsensical phantasies and face the truth and justice. it is a time that any kenyan citizen and their leaders thought of human dignity and not person gains. i wish to call upon the so called political leaders and the religious leaders to be true to themselves, in their inner consciences so as to bring peace to this treasured country. injustice must end, truth, justice and peace must reign!
am sorry to say that even when this injustice is so clear as such, human beings prefer to hide under darkness. an example is the statement made today by the finance minister that the president won justly, he is either intellectually dishonest or psycologically challenged...brothers
let men and women face the reality and peace will reign. The Lord Jesus be our hope,peace

chrispine, rome, italy

The Kenyan authorities do not understand the full scale of the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe. The disputed election outcome has uncorked decades old ethnic rivalry. Careless utterances by politicians and police brutality will not solve the fundamental questions of tribalism, social inequality and other economic injustices. This crises offers a real opportunity for the Kenyan people to dispassionately grapple with the fundamental problem of negative ethnicity.

Dr. Alex Awiti, New York, USA, NY

another African 'stable' nation going to hell again. Why can these people not govern themselves? Zimbabwe..... now Kenya.... South Africa is corrupt as hell, many nations are corrupt after years of self rule...... will they EVER be able to run themselves like developed nations? I want to say yes. I scream yes. But its looking like never ever. Even though the colonialists were bad for Africa - could they be any worse in the long run?

Graham Williams, Washington DC,

This is really annoying and disapointing.The Kenyan eletions results(ballots) MUST be recounted for accuracy bcoz its clearly seen that the results were forged.The man Kibaki must accept with without any pressure put on him if he wants peace in his country.If he cant do this ,then its clear that his votes were rigged.I wish he could behave like the man he is and let peace prevail in Kenya.i belive its all his fault.
kibaki was defeated .he must accept this and stop stealing.if he can steal votes ,then he MUST BE PROMOTING CORRUPTION -something the country is really fighting to get rid off.

If kibaki doesnt step back its clear that there will be no peace in Kenya whatesoever.kibaki could u pliz step down and leave the chair to Raila who is the rightful person to lead the country,the only person kenyans will listen to and peace prevail again in that land.

LL, frankfurt am main, Germany

Someone in the Military and the Police should stepin anda protect the people of Kenya. In other words Kibaki must be toppled and the leadership restored to the rightffully elected president. Otherwise I fear for my brothers and sisters who are angry and right now they have no time to reason all they want is to get their right. I am not in Kenya but I am so angry so imagine those back home. Those calling for peace should call for the resignation of Kibaki and the prosecution of Michuki and any leader who is saying that Raila is Tribal. I bet he is having garnered support from all over the Kenyan TRIBE! Kibaki please wake up swallow your pride even if first Lady will not allow and step down. Otheriwise everyday you show your face you loose what your credibility as honorable to horrrrribbbble. Every dead person has a relative and they will revenge and there goes the country. Kenyans live for their families and if someone kills them they will fight for them and not politicians.SAVEYOURSELF

Dan, Lawton, USA/ Oklahoma

"The European Union's election observation team said today that Kenya's elections fell short of key international standards and called for them to be independently audited. "

Er...excuse me! Surely Kenya's corrupt elections are an advance on NO elections (surely called for by international standards?) for the EU bureaucrats that control us? And since when did EU audits do any good? The EU is a corrupt unelected undemocratic bureaucracy that has failed to file a proper set of accounts in the last decade. Methinks that people in glass houses should not throw stones!!

Steve, London, UK

WWW.JOSEPHKAROKI.WORDPRESS.COM

The illegitimate Goverment of mr.Kibaki has caused the deaths of hundreds of my tribesmen including the 50 innocent women and children burnt alive.

Kenya is on the brink of Genocide and we are about to witness another MAUMAU

www.josephkaroki.wordpress.com

joseph karoki, dallas, TEXAS

The Kenya situation has completely gone out of hand. There is a need for a totally neutral person to step in as president of the nation and restore peace and bring healing. Neither Kibaki nor Raila are fit to lead this nation and should put away their selfish ambition at the cost of so many lives being massacred. I would proposed Hon. Musyoka Kalonzo as a possible candidate for leading this great nation.

Edward Gobine, Port Louis, Mauritius

Whenever wars errupt between the masses and armies, masses usually emerge victorious. Kenya will not be an excption. The government can not succeed in the use of force of the police and the army to muzzle the voices of the masses. The fact that this anarchy is initiated by one of the voices of "Kenya's second liberation" who stole an election in broad daylight on a Sunday makes it more unbearable. Who would have imagined Kibaki will so rapidly degenerate from a DP (democrat) to a dictator who can be categorized and tried for crimes against humanity alongside other despots? He is setting a new low amongst the well educated by succumbing to the devious schemes of a handful Kikuyu diehards who believe leadership is the preserve of their tribe.

Morand, DC, USA

The media should stop fanning this as a battle between the Kikuyu vs the Luo. Most progressive and intelligent Kikuyu can see what happened here. Kibaki and his cronies have unashamedly stolen this election. I am a Kikuyu who amongst many others want him and his old gurad who have been stealing from the country for eons gone. They serve no purpose in a democratic and progressive Kenya. They are pulling the country apart in the name of tribalism. Shame on them.

Simon K, swindon,

We've all seen the angry youth carrying their placards "No Raila, No Peace!" The defeated Kibaki, who stole the democratic right of Kenyans and inaugurated himself into office is Personally RESPONSIBLE for the deaths of these innocent Kenyans (Kikuyus, Luos, Kalenjins, Luhyas, Kambas, etc.). After stating that he would crack down hard on civilians, which further fuelled the already volatile situation, he really has no moral authority to now call for talks!! Kenyans will settle for nothing less than to see him pay the penalty for the hundreds of deaths he has caused!
His old guard, specifically his minister for internal security, Michuki, also has a lot to answer for this situation that is quickly degenerating into disaster!
Mr. Kibaki, YOU MUST give back to Kenyans their democratic right that you have stolen. YOU MUST STEP DOWN and let the only person who can bring back peace to Kenya to assume his rightful office - Raila Odinga, whom Kenyans elected President and will listen to!

Paul Siele, London, UK

It is very clear that Kenyans have been cheated of their say. We now have a dictator (Kibaki) who is dividing our country along tribal lines. It will be difficult to govern the Kenyan people with an iron fist. He is now playing dumb as he always does to let the weary wear out. We will not accept this.
However, I am not sure if Kibaki wants to go down as the first president to give up power especially after he had a taste of it, so then what would he have accomplished by rigging himself in. I am however dismayed why some Kenyans are going around killing other innocent Kenyans who had nothing to do with it. Shouldn't we be directing all this energy to those who facilitated and accepted the rigged results? Assassinating Raila will not even help the situation but make it worse and expose the type of government that is "leading" us. The people have spoken and the vote must be respected.

Harold Osunga, Washington, Boston

I do not subscribe to the belief that the opposition is the one obstructing peace, the demostrations must go on, though it must be peaceful, for when you refuse to allow a peaceful demostration then violent ones are inevitable.

There are questions to be asked, what happens at the constituencies Where opposition agents were sent out before the tallying of votes? why did the light went off for 2 hours, and why did the returning officers turn off their phones for such a long time, all this cast doubt on the result so I feel if this was Nigeria we will react worst than this, especially when it is perceived that it happened because Odinga is not Kikuyu. There was no violence in Nigeria Last election because there is an arrangement in place that rotate the presidency so despite the riggings it still went to the same section of the country.

I was against a rotational presidency from the beginning but now seeing what is happening in Kenya I think it is worth taking a second look at..

WAHEED A, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY USA

Susan of Nairobi's post here suggests its only a few Kenyans who feel disgrunted and we do not care about democracy and just want to get on with out lifes. The violence is unfortunate but it is this kind of mindset that aggrevates the situation. The assumption that Kenyans really dont care who is president, that they can watch sham elections and just coil back after being robbed in broad daylight. All Kenyas are equal. Raila has not asked for violence, this is as a reaction by the populance to vote rigging witnessed by all parties. I fear it will reach levels that either party cant control. The time to control this violence is now and by addressing its root causes not by treating symptoms.

It is not one tribe against the other, it is all other Kenyan tribes against undemocratic tendecies of one tribe.

As aggrieved parties seek justice, lets not make a mockery of the law. This is akin to witnessing an ongoing robbery of your property and telling the thief -"Lets meet in court!"

Don Ngala, Loughborough, UK

In the great lexicon of ambiguous words adopted by third world countries, in particular the majority of African states and of course Pakistan, do any of those who use this expression frequently, actually understand what the word DEMOCRACY means???

Have they mistaken this word for something else, SUBJUGATION springs to mind??

Poor beautiful Kenya, we all grieve for you , as we do your neighbours on your borders, and beyond.

nom de plume, Wareham, Dorset uk

The obvious lack of transparency when tallying votes in this election. The Electoral Commission of Kenya's obtrusive behaviour in the light of objections. The clandestine announcing of the presidential winner. The secretive and hasty swearing in of Kibaki. The media being banned from reporting the unfolding events live. The gunning down of people by the police. The ban on the protest rally.

We witnessed s. 17A of Kenya's National Assembly and Presidential Elections Act (Cap 7) being assaulted and killed. We watched Kibaki muzzle s. 7 of Kenya's Constitution; and then in the aftermath of his swearing in, set the State against that very Constitution. The media ban -- a violation of s. 79. The ban of the protest rally -- a violation of s. 80. The police shooting live rounds into crowds -- a violation of ss. 71 and 74.

One thing is clear: Kenya will not be the same after this is over. There is no justification for stealing an election -- or appearing like you did. Ever!

Eugene Johnston, Sandys, Bermuda

Why aren' t you reporting that probably over 98% of Kenyans do not care about the whole democracy issue and would rather have their lives and have Raila leave the country and stop inciting people to violence. We do not want to die for his political dreams.
BTW, am a Raila supporter.... Report That!!!!!

Susan, Nairobi, Kenya

There is no leadership in Kenya right now as nobody including the dictator (kibaki) seems to be in control. We Kenyans urge the international community to step in immediately, in order to avert the repeat of Rwanda genocide in Kenyan soil. People are being killed in churches where they have taken refuge. Please Help SOS NOW!!!!!!!

D. Makori, Delaware, USA

People power can not be stopped. The truth will out and justice will be done. God save Kenya from Kibaki's arrogance and tribalism

Karanja, Nairobi, Kenya

I think it's clear to everyone that Kibaki hurriedly altered the results when it was clear he had been defeated, and this is why Kenyans are so enraged. To be honest, I never thought the honorable Mwai Kibaki would be willing to plunge the nation into chaos just to maintain power.

Victor Wondu, Richmond, USA

These old guard are running the country like they belong to the 1960's. Something is cheating them that cracking hard on the masses will solve the problem. It will not. The police are not well paid in Kenya and they all know that the election was rigged. They are human and will realize it is inevitable Raila the democratically elected president will ultimately ascend to power. So I predict they will tire just as they did before and this dictator will have noone to issue shoot to kill orders to. What is worse, he will have his day in court and probably executed like Saddam. Dictators usually do not last for long.

Macharia Gaitho Wa Nation , Nairobi, Kenya

Why even consider a power sharing stategy? We are most concerned about the fact that its evident this election was rigged. Its not about "giving" Mr. Odinga a position of prestige or powerful title, it is about letting a democratically elected leader take the country forward not an imposter who has hastily rigged himself in.

DOn Ngala, Loughborough, UK

charity begins at home.if britain does not want immigrants by the same standard it should not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries

simon fernandes, london,