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Kenya

Kibaki raps media over govt ratings

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 12 – President Mwai Kibaki has said the media is to blame for the low rating of his government by Kenyans.

Speaking during the launch of Kazi kwa Vijana National Programme in Mashuru, Kajiado district, President Kibaki said the media has been whipping up national discontent against the one-year-old coalition government.

“We are working together and we will finish all the projects we started. As you can see we are all here and we are working together,” said the Head of State at the function also attended by Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka.

He said his government had not failed in fulfilling the expectations of Kenyans and instead blamed the media for painting the government negatively.

Polls have indicated Kenyans are not happy with the performance of the grand coalition government in tackling corruption and reforms amongst other things.

The latest survey conducted by Transparency International-Kenya indicated that 72 percent of respondents feels the government is not keen on fighting graft.

President Kibaki said journalists, non-governmental organisations and some politicians have been dwelling on negative statements and actions, which tend to lead Kenyans into uncertainty and despondency.

"I challenge the media, civil society and politicians to focus on the challenges we are facing constructively and positively instead of dwelling on negative statements,” said President Kibaki.

Differences have emerged between the two coalition partners over the power sharing deal signed by the two principals in February last year.

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ODM feels it we was shortchanged and have been fronting for renegotiation of the Accord while PNU are adamant that the orange party got its fair share.

A trip to Geneva, Switzerland called by former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has also exposed the differences in the coalition. Kalonzo is on record as saying Annan breached protocol in summoning Kibaki to Geneva.

Kibaki’s allies in PNU had proclaimed the president would not attend the meeting.

On Thursday the three said all was well in the coalition government and blamed the media for the coalition woes.

“We are working and those who think the government is not working can see the work we are doing for themselves,” said Mr Odinga.

The Vice President rapped the media saying it was dwelling on sensionalising issues rather than focusing on development.

The Head of State said the Kazi Kwa Vijana programme would provide aid for five million Kenyans and create 300,000 jobs for the youth for the next six years.

The President said politicking would compromise efforts to curb famine and creation of jobs.

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