Following two months of fear and violence, Kenyans are looking forward with cautious optimism after the country’s two presidential rivals signed a political deal to end the crisis sparked by the disputed December election. Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition Orange Democratic Movement, claims he was robbed of the presidency, but under the deal he is expected to become the country’s first prime minister in forty years. He must find a way to work with his one-time enemy, President Mwai Kibaki, and tackle the deep-seated problems that gave the election dispute such violent edge. Barney Jopson, FT East Africa Correspondent, interviewed him in his office at Pentagon House in Nairobi on Wednesday March 5 2008.

Financial Times: According to the agreement you signed with president Kibaki, the prime minister’s role is to “coordinate and supervise” government business. But what seems crucial is who is setting policy and who is controlling spending. Could you tell me how much influence you expect to have over those two things?