A lull in the violence in Kenya has brought some hope. National newspapers, filled so recently with killings, are now focused on the path to peace. But if this calm is to be more than temporary, rival politicians must act fast and out of character. There has been some progress in negotiations but extremists on all sides are poised to shed fresh blood should they falter.

Stewarded by Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general, representatives of Mwai Kibaki, president, and Raila Odinga, opposition leader, have agreed to an independent audit of December’s flawed elections that pitched the country into crisis. They have identified an agenda for reform, which might, if implemented, help to prevent a recurrence. But they are now at loggerheads on the kind of government that might carry it out. Mr Kibaki is resisting pressure to share power.