The UN is holding President Kibaki and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga responsible for Kenya’s future. At the same time, the Kofi Annan-led mediation talks have resumed as the parties continue to grapple with crucial political issues for the second day running. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has briefed the UN Security Council on the crisis in Kenya and said the two leaders would be personally accountable for the country’s future. “I told Kenya’s leaders, President Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga, that they bear a particular political responsibility for the future of Kenya. I stressed to all the Kenyan leaders the need to stop the unacceptable violence and killings and to resolve their differences through dialogue and the democratic process,” Mr Ban told the Council, according to a statement from his office. The UN chief said political leaders should think beyond their individual interests or party lines, and to look to the future of Kenya as one country. “As I warned at the African Union summit last week, ethnic clashes threaten to escalate out of control,” said the UN chief, adding that he was “deeply engaged” in the evolving situation in the country. He said the UN supported the mediation process championed by Mr Annan and announced that a trust fund had been established through the UN Development Programme to support it in addition to assigning several UN staff. “I reiterate my support to the mediation efforts of the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by former Secretary-General Kofi Annan. When I met him in Nairobi, we discussed in depth his roadmap for the talks. The parties are now talking and discussing practical measures to stop the spiral of violence, to address the humanitarian crisis, and to restore fundamental human rights and liberties,” he said.
According to the Secretary General, the UN and its partners have been able to meet the initial basic needs of an estimated 310,000 internally displaced people spread over 192 sites across western and central Kenya. “I am going to dispatch Mr John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to look after these issues. Needless to say, much more needs to be done. I urge donors to provide additional funding to address this grave emergency,” said Mr Ban. On the talks, President Kibaki today held a 40-minute meeting with his representatives to the mediation process at his Harambee House office before the start of today’s session. The talks have entered crucial political issues where they are expected to come up with agreements on matters including the disputed presidential election poll. Mr Annan has said that the discussion on the political issues will not be about individuals but on how to strengthen institutions. http://www.nationmedia.com/dailynation/nmgcontententry.asp?category_id=1&newsid=116232 | 
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