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Key ruling in Kenya coalition row Kenya coalition impasse continues
(about 6 hours later)
The Kenyan parliament's speaker is to rule on who will chair a key committee at the heart of the latest dispute to hit the fragile coalition government. The Kenyan parliament's speaker has refused to rule on who should be leader of government business in parliament in the latest row to hit the coalition.
Kenneth Marende said the government must "consensually agree" who should hold the post.
Both Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka say they must lead the House Business Committee.Both Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka say they must lead the House Business Committee.
It is the latest stand-off between the prime minister's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU). It is the latest row between the PM's Orange Democratic Movement and the president's Party of National Unity.
The two parties agreed a power-sharing deal last year to end poll violence. The national assembly speaker's ruling was broadcast live on television on Tuesday.
The two parties agreed a power-sharing deal last year to end post-election violence, which had left some 1,500 people dead and forced 300,000 from their homes.
But relations have soured and crisis talks have failed to improve relations.But relations have soured and crisis talks have failed to improve relations.
UnprecedentedUnprecedented
The president's allies say he has the power to decide who should hold the crucial position of leading government business in the house, but the prime minister's party disagrees.The president's allies say he has the power to decide who should hold the crucial position of leading government business in the house, but the prime minister's party disagrees.
The BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi says it is difficult to guess in whose favour the speaker could rule because such a dispute is unprecedented in the history of the country. The BBC's Josphat Makori in Nairobi says such a parliamentary dispute is unprecedented in the history of Kenya.
KENYA'S COALITION CRISIS Dec 2007: Disputed elections spark ethnic violenceFeb 2008: Mediators broker power-sharing government pactApril: Unity cabinet naming delayed amid last-minute dispute5 Jan 2009: Odinga holds crisis talks; says ODM being sidelined13 Jan: Inquiry amid claims of agriculture ministry maize cartels4 April: Kilanguni retreat collapses in disarray6 April: Odinga labels Kibaki's governing style "primitive"15 April: Odinga tells Kibaki ODM will boycott cabinet meetings26 April: Odinga says fresh elections may be needed Does Kenya need new elections?KENYA'S COALITION CRISIS Dec 2007: Disputed elections spark ethnic violenceFeb 2008: Mediators broker power-sharing government pactApril: Unity cabinet naming delayed amid last-minute dispute5 Jan 2009: Odinga holds crisis talks; says ODM being sidelined13 Jan: Inquiry amid claims of agriculture ministry maize cartels4 April: Kilanguni retreat collapses in disarray6 April: Odinga labels Kibaki's governing style "primitive"15 April: Odinga tells Kibaki ODM will boycott cabinet meetings26 April: Odinga says fresh elections may be needed Does Kenya need new elections?
He says the ODM wants to bring the contest to parliament in order to use its majority to try to have its way. He says the ODM wanted to bring the contest to parliament in order to try to use its majority to have its way.
Our correspondent says this row matters because it has virtually paralysed the business of parliament.Our correspondent says this row matters because it has virtually paralysed the business of parliament.
Mr Musyoka used to be a senior ODM official but split to form his own party - ODM-Kenya - and is now seen as close to the president.Mr Musyoka used to be a senior ODM official but split to form his own party - ODM-Kenya - and is now seen as close to the president.
The prime minister recently complained that the vice-president should not be getting paid more than him.The prime minister recently complained that the vice-president should not be getting paid more than him.
Mr Odinga - who has claimed he is being sidelined in the unity government - has said fresh elections may be needed if the rift cannot be solved.Mr Odinga - who has claimed he is being sidelined in the unity government - has said fresh elections may be needed if the rift cannot be solved.
Over the weekend, President Kibaki's party accused the ODM of "fomenting a coup".Over the weekend, President Kibaki's party accused the ODM of "fomenting a coup".
Earlier this month, Mr Odinga's party said it would boycott cabinet meetings, leading to inconclusive crisis talks.Earlier this month, Mr Odinga's party said it would boycott cabinet meetings, leading to inconclusive crisis talks.
The prime minister recently complained at a public rally that no red carpet or toilet were provided for him during an official visit.The prime minister recently complained at a public rally that no red carpet or toilet were provided for him during an official visit.
About 1,500 people were killed and 300,000 forced from their homes after Mr Odinga's supporters said he had been cheated of victory in the December 2007 presidential election. The violence erupted after Mr Odinga's supporters said he had been cheated of victory in the December 2007 presidential election.
Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan managed to broker a power-sharing deal in February 2008, which ended the violence.Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan managed to broker a power-sharing deal in February 2008, which ended the violence.