Prevail on Mugabe to share power, Raila tells African Union

By Beuttah Omanga and Isaac Ongiri

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has renewed calls to the African Union to act tough on President Robert Mugabe.

Raila said the AU should compel Mugabe to put in place a coalition government.

"It hurts to see the AU watching helplessly as Mugabe continues to run down Zimbabwe. The AU should act for the sake of Zimbabweans and ensure that Mugabe agrees to share power with the opposition," said Raila.

Speaking at an International Human Rights conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, Raila said Kenya had its share of electoral problems, but moved within three months to agree on a power sharing deal. "Even if Mugabe was among Zimbabwe’s freedom fighters, he cannot be allowed to run Zimbabwe the way he wants," said the PM.

He expressed concern that Zimbabwe’s Premier designate Morgan Tsvangirai had been denied travel documents to attend a regional summit.

Meanwhile, Raila said he would support better payments for councillors.

A statement from the PM’s office discounted media reports that Raila was opposed to pay review for the more than 4,000 civic leaders.

The PM’s acting communications director Florence Mugendi said the PM’s position on the councillors’ payments was distorted.

"The PM’s position on public sector reforms is that both staff remuneration and their effectiveness must be enhanced," Mugendi said.

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