Kenya unveils coalition cabinet

Mr Kibaki called for politics to be set aside

Kenya's president has announced a new power-sharing cabinet following a deal with the opposition to end the long-running political crisis.

President Mwai Kibaki named opposition leader Raila Odinga as the new prime minister, after the pair agreed the deal on Saturday in secret talks.

The crisis was sparked by presidential elections in December that triggered violence in which 1,500 people died.

The deal overcame a row over how the cabinet posts would be divided.

International pressure

Mr Kibaki said in a live televised speech alongside Mr Odinga: "My challenge to the new cabinet members and the entire national leadership at all levels is: let us put politics aside and get to work."

KEY CABINET POSTS Prime Minister: Raila Odinga Vice-President and Home Affairs: Kalonzo Musyoka Finance Minister: Amos Kimunya Deputy PM and Trade: Uhuru Kenyatta Deputy PM and Local Government: Musalia Mudavadi Agriculture Minister: William Ruto Deal draws Kenya back from brink

He added: "Let us build a new Kenya where justice is our shield and defender, and where peace, liberty and plenty will be found throughout our country."

Two deputy prime ministers were named - Uhuru Kenyatta of Mr Kibaki's Party of National Unity and Musalia Mudavadi of Mr Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement.

Mr Kenyatta is the son of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta.

Finance Minister Amos Kimunya remains in his post and the opposition's William Ruto becomes agriculture minister.

A total of 40 posts were named in an even split between the opposition and the PNU and its allies.

Some lobbyists had argued Kenya could not afford so many posts.

The violence left about 600,000 people displaced

The BBC's Adam Mynott in Nairobi says that with the exception of local government the key posts remain with President Kibaki's close followers.

Although the administration is very large, he says many Kenyans will breath a collective sigh of relief that perhaps the country can now move forward.

The cabinet will work on framing a new constitution over the next year that will tackle long-standing grievances over land, wealth and power.

The two leaders had come under intense international pressure to achieve a breakthrough.

The deal on power-sharing had been brokered by former UN secretary general Kofi Annan in February and a cabinet was scheduled to be announced on 6 April.

But the talks seemed to break down this week as Mr Odinga held out for the 50-50 split in cabinet posts he said he was promised by the accord.

In addition to those who died in the post-poll violence, another 600,000 were displaced in January and February.

Many thousands have yet to return to their homes.

Mr Odinga had accused Mr Kibaki of rigging the tightly fought 27 December presidential vote.

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