In spite of urgent international efforts at mediation, the threat of ethnic violence continues to divide Kenya, so recently regarded as an African success story. Rioting that followed last month's disputed presidential elections has already cost at least 500 lives. In those circumstances, the decision by President Mwai Kibaki to appoint most of a new cabinet from amongst his closest allies is high-handed and provocative. He seems intent on precipitating a deepening catastrophe, rather than healing the wounds of the nation.
Mr Kibaki's decision was announced as John Kufuor, Ghana's president and chairman of the African Union, flew to Nairobi in an attempt to break the political deadlock. His mission has the blessing of the US, the UK and the rest of the European Union, because the Kenyan crisis has brought much of the economy to a standstill, caused some 250,000 people to flee their homes and disrupted vital trade, aid and transport routes throughout the region. Yet his job has been made much more difficult by Mr Kibaki's actions.
