It is a month since President Mwai Kibaki claimed victory in Kenya’s flawed elections and was sworn in hurriedly as head of state despite evidence of fraud. The resulting political impasse is becoming more costly by the day. Kenya should be consolidating its position as east Africa’s greatest hope but instead has become its biggest worry.

In spite of mounting international pressure Mr Kibaki and Raila Odinga, the challenger who appeared initially to have won the election, seem no more willing to reach a compromise to defuse tensions now than a month ago. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary-general, launched talks on Tuesday, backed by the US, European Union and African Union, between the feuding factions.