I do not understand why we should term Raila as ruthless because afterall is said and done justice must prevail.If Raila was ruthless he could not be voted by all those people who voted for him and better still if he was ruthless he could not have gone a step ahead and visited the victims of the post-election violence whilst his counterpart just sends aid and sends his condolences from statehouse yet the man who voted for him is out in the cold why can't he get done to his people as he use to do the days he was campaigning?
as a matter of fact this is to let you know that kenyans are no longer parochials but active participants in their politics!all we should be preaching and praying for is peace and not criticism and triabalism as most of us as trying to potray!

Gaudence R, Nairobi, Kenya

Ruthless is a good way to describe a leader who is bent on being president at all cost including the priceless lives of innocent Kenyans. It's written all over his face, from trying to overthrow Daniel arap Moi, to making Kenya ungovernable during President Kibaki's first term. Please be humble Mr. Raila and admit that you participated in rigging especially in Nyanza Western and the coast. Furtermore, why were P.N.U agents kicked out of polling stations in Nyanza? May i suggest that you are bitter because you were beaten at your game. SAVE OUR COUNTRY. the buck stops with you.

Kiprop Aaron, Kericho, Kenya

I am a foreigner living in Kenya since 3 years and now see Nairobi as my home town. What is left out of the discussion is what went down as the results of the election was reported. Initially, Raila was massively ahead after the counting had started in ODM strongholds. Everyone was aware that Kibaki strongholds were still missing from the results - still, Raila asked for Kibaki to step down. As the nation was awaiting final results, still with an ODM lead, Raila asked for a recount - why? There has been reports of voter turnout of above 100% from both sides, it seems to me both sides have been cheating only that Raila realised he had not added enough votes to beat Kibaki in the end.
Raila should call off his dogs and act as the politician he claims to be - seek a solution in negotiations.

Daniel, Nairobi, Kenya

What i can comment is that, deep down Kibaki's heart he know that election were rigged in his favor.Kenyans needed a change and that is the reason why they woke up as early as 4am to go and queue in order to remove the most corrupted guys in Kibaki's government which they very well did.

Kenyans are very disappointed by Kibaki's the mode of conduct and he will NEVER be FORGIVEN for rigging himself into power.

The best thing he can do right is to humble himself and stop the giddiness and talk to the PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT HON.RAILA AMOLLO ODINGA so that peace can prevail in our beautiful country.But first Kibaki must STEP DOWN coz a largely number in Kenya does not need his form of leadership......

Suzanne Shiluli, Nairobi, Kenya

This is very sad brothers and sisters.If you don't leave caring about ethnies and tribes,Kenya will be known for what Rwanda is known today.I'm from the Great Lakes and admit Kenya has been the most stable country in that region not to mention Africa as a whole.If Raila really cares about Kenyan and wants to achieve what he promised which is to lead,heal and protect Kenyans,he would call for peace.I want everyone to think twice and wonder if Raila will be better than his predecessors.What hurts the most is those people (in a majority poor)who endanger`themselves going on strike for a guy who doesn't know/care of struggle their everyday life looks like.They are politicians thirst for power.

Ryan, Boston, Ma

Kibaki has no moral authority to be the president of Kenya. When the Kenyan people were exceedingly oppressed by Moi's mischief, Kibaki then a senior cabinet minister and a long serving member of parliament never butted an eye lid. Came the clamour for multi partism when Matiba and Rubia made a scathing attack on Moi which was soon followed by dous famous proclamation "Multi-partism is today and not tomorrow" Again Kibaki never raised an eyebrow. Only after when section 2A which barred multi parties was lifted after a lot of suffering is when Kibaki resigned from the cabinet and a few days later he formed his Democratic Party. In 2002, Kibaki would have easily lost to Uhuru Kenyatta. However, Raila Odinga in his charismatic style marshalled most of the members of parliament who were disgruntled by Moi's appointment of Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure Kibaki's ascension to power. At 76, Kibaki has rigged himself into power an action which has caused untold suffering to the Kenyan people.

Wa-ngobe Kinyanjui, Toronto, Canada

I am surprised at the volatile reaction of Stephen to my earlier comments.He does not seem to grasp the fact that I am on the side of Kenya not of a single tribe. I completely agree that Kibaki's actions are dishonorable and he is abusing power that Kenyans gave him. It is so obvious that the elections were rigged somehow to get him to power again. Let us not pretend; Raila is not a saint either. For years he has been the legislator of the 2nd largest slum in Africa and little if any change has been seen there, the poor are getting poorer. He has also made lots of allies only to abandon them as soon as it was clear that they wouldn't propel him to power. Raila has the power to call a ceasefire and lead people to fight for democracy some other way and Kibaki has the power to step down for the sake of peace but neither of them are willing to do anything. In that regard, I conclude that both are willing to get power no matter the who the casualties will be. That is just an
honest opinion.

Gabrielle Muthoni, Nairobi, Kenya

Mr Kibaki and his cronies bit more than they could chew and this is the straw that broke the camels back!

Messrs Odinga,Ruto,Balala and Mudavadi can call off the troops but refuse to do so. Power sharing is not an option.

If someone breaks into your house and steals from you are you gonna split half and half when the thief is busted......didn't think so.

While Kibaki is shooting Luos and Luyhas in Western, the Kalenjins and "Others" are busy putting in "Work" in other parts of the country! Who is the looser here?

Kibaki does not represent change and the people have spoken!

Mutua, Atlanta, Ga

Shame on you all for this type of silly discussion!

B. Musila, Pittsburgh, usa

Recolonise A frica.

Noel Falconer, COUIZA, France

This is total madness. Kenyans voted but the massive rigging was not reported by Luos.They were the local and International observers. As it is, the world is aware that Kibaki rigged the elections.The only way out however, is to call for a fresh Presidential elections.That would save blood of Kenyans from spilling under the Kibaki orders of shoot to Kill.Raila Odinga is loved by majority of Kenyans.

Kimani Japheth, Bilbao,

I know that Kenyans will get through this. I have every confidence of that. Having read this article, I conquer with the author that Raila Odinga wants the presidency at any cost.

Luos and others are just a pawns in his game. If Luos are so educated ( and they are with their PhDs) how come their home areas are not developed? Why do they stay in Nairobi? Why does Raila not seek to develop his region and use it as an example for the rest of Kenya?

Start in your backyard. Raila needs to change tactic and look beyond Luos gettng a chance at the presidency. The time will come for this. Right now, it is important for Raila to show that he has Kenya at heart.

Kisakye, Jinja, Uganda

peace be with you my Somali brothers, But you messed your own country and did nothing about it,except complain and Run Here and There,,... We Kenyans are Not,Shall Not and Cannot be like You... Infact Shame on you Mo,and Sylvester..

Wishing us Kenyans ill Health,wont help you at all,

you are like a rabid dog biting off the hand that feeds it...

I can forgive you but not your ignorance,
you sound uneducated. Get your facts right....

Luka, Bangalore, India

Stephen from Granada,I am embarassed by your comments. As a Luo myself who strongly believes that Raila Odinga won fair and square strongly feels that the last hurdle for him is to go out there and tell the people to stop killing the VERY people he wants to lead and protect. Raila Odinga fought for the last 25yrs to stop such madness as what we're seeing now. He even publicly forgave the very people who tortured him while he was in prison.How can you then vomit on what he has done and say that innocent lives are being murdered because of Kibaki's selfishness? Luos are a peaceful people and the people who claim to be looting and killing people in Kisumu and Kibera where I was born, should be criticized by US luos for spoiling and tarnishing our good name.This is not who we are as LUOS! We are an educated lot with the intelligence to show the likes of Kibaki and Michuki that we can bring about meaningful change. My brother, please read Barrack Obama's speech. That's Luo blood in him.

Sylvester, Manchester, London

"i am somali, and for one does not care weather kenya burns or not... "

I am Kenyan and know for a fact that in a month- at most- we shall get past this mad phase and things will be on their way back to normal. But your words, mo, I shall never get past.

thehandthatfeeds, Daadab, Kenya

i am somali, and for one does not care weather kenya burns or not. Kenya helped burn my country, enjoy it.

mo, narobi, kenya

I find it pitiful to answer people like Muthoni and her cohots! Shame on you! Innocent Kenyans are dying because of the selfishness and tribalistic nature of few Kikuyu elites like Kibaki and Michuki, yet you are talking as if Kenya belongs to one tribe. Shame on you and may your careless words be your own snare.

May be even a fool would keep quiet!

Stephen, St. George's, Grenada

Raila please help heal the nation. We all know you won but now the country is on fire . You can stand above all these people who accuse of being power hungry and save the country. I believe we will all remember you for that and not when when we think the supporters of ODM are lawless. Please keep the nation ALIVE. You have been cheated and so have Kenyans. God will repay Kibaki...do make this make your business. You say you are Christian, remember the Bible says that avengence is HIS. God will avenge on your and Kenyans behalf.
God bless you and God bless Kenya. Please ARISE above all and let the bloodbath STOP

Tenessee Achebw, Nairobi,

As a Ugandan the stability of Kenyan is very important for Uganda's own stability. I am not refering to the influx of refugees but as you Uganda is already experiencing fuel shortages and prices of commondities are shooting high. Mr. Raila should rain in on his supporters to stop them from causing chaos. He should use legal means and negotiation to voice his concerns, not violence, otherwise he proving to be a crimminal who just power thirsty.

Raymond Mukoyonzo, Mbale, Uganda

Kibaki should honorably resign to pave way for a dialogue, Involving Independent poll and legal experts to investigate and correct the tallying of votes that were cast In the December 07' election.
That Is the way forward, an Idea whose time has come cannot and will not be stopped.

James Adongo, Columbia, South carolina

I call upon Hon Raila and Kibaki to ask people to stop killing each other.

Mwenda Mungiria, Oklahoma city, United states Of America

You need to grow up people, Kenya has outgrown this kind of simple mindedness. The whole Kenya and not Raila is protesting stolen democracy and your hate comments Raila is not helping. Let us suggest how best Kenya can move on. Please you know in your hearts that what you are saying is not true and you do not believe it either.

kenn konginjo, WASHINGTON DC, USA

Whether or not the elections were rigged is up for discussion at the moment but the senseless violence is unquestionably real. I think the Kenyan government is making a good attempt to control the situation. The reality is that the thugs who perspetrate this violence could not care less if Gordon Brown or some other foreign leader is calling for peace, such people may make headlines but by no means will they make headway in resolving the situation. Mr. Odinga has the power to stop the carnage but I doubt will be willing to surrender his claims to the presidency easily so, at least in the near future, its law enforcement that should act to stabilize the country. A heavy police presence will protect lives and cool political temperatures rapidly. I must also say that my fellow malawian's comments earlier are rather naive or idealistic at best. Odinga will not be willing to wait five years, he wants the presidency NOW. I am currently in Kenya and I sincerly hope this country will regain stability soon, it has so much to lose otherwise.

Kanena Ndikambalame, Kenya, Kenya

It is true that Raila is just proving to the Kenyan people that the elections were nothing but a personal quest for power. A true leader would give up their ambitions if those ambitions were costing the lives of innocent civilians. In that regard Raila is no different from Kibaki and both leaders will be forever to blame for the death of innocent people.
The election results were certainly dubious but murdering innocent people who are poor does not solve anything. Raila and his allies should call a cease-fire on the violence. Only they can avert destruction and save millions of innocent Kenyans from genocide.
There are other ways to fight for democracy. Raila has the support of millions of Kenyans behind him, even Kikuyus so there is no reason why people should be killing each other. I beseech all the leaders to stop the bloodshed of innocent citizens who really just want to go about their lives.

Gabrielle Muthoni, Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya is in turmoil because 1. Kibaki is liberal & an advocate for free speech but he is not a decisive "battle" commander; 2. Odinga is a radical & an advocate of lawlessness. Odinga has held speeches stating that no poor person should pay ANY rent. 3.The USA wants to have any Kenyan incumbent president as a puppet of Haliburton, World Bank, IMF et al.(read Confessions of an Economic Hit Man by John Perkins); 4.multi party-ism is never for Africa with its various ethnic groups bunched together in just one boundary...is this multi-ethnic cohesion working for Belgium too ?

Kaz, Jakobstad, Finland

As a Malawi I feel pity for Kenyans and Afriaca as a whole
Mr Kibaki has not behaved well in these elections
Within one hour of anouncing results he is sworn in.What was he fearing. My advice is Raila should stop the violence as a statesman people will respect him and he is young let him just wait.If he has got the numbers let him play his cards in parliament

Ronald Sibande, Blantyre, Malawi