by Alex Ndegwa

President Kibaki has said an agreement would be reached on sharing of Executive power in a new constitution even as PNU and ODM remained deadlocked on the issue after nightlong meetings.

The President told ministers and assistant ministers they must resolve the stalemate by tomorrow, when a retreat convened in Mombasa to ensure the Grand Coalition Government takes a united stand on national issues ends.

"We are here to reach an agreement. We are not here to debate endlessly. Who are we? Aren’t we Government? Then we must reach an agreement," the Head of State told the ministers at Serena Beach Hotel, on Friday.

The President spoke hours after members of the Grand Coalition Permanent Management Committee, who have been discussing the sticky Executive proposals since Tuesday ahead of the retreat, failed to resolve the impasse during another marathon meeting at Mombasa Club.

The team, comprising key ministers from the two political camps tasked with ironing out differences facing the coalition, had moved to the venue from Serena Beach Hotel, where the President had hosted ministers to dinner on Thursday evening.

By his remarks, the President appeared to direct the team, which had apparently given up and referred the touchy issue of President and Prime Minister’s powers to the Committee of Experts (CoE), to reopen talks. After the deadlock, the team reportedly resorted to what was described as ‘embargo’ of the Executive clause for the time being, to allow for further consultations.

Kibaki said: "We should always engage in dialogue and lead by consensus," he said. "I reiterate my commitment towards the delivery of a new constitution that will unite Kenyans and sustain our nationhood. Let us join hands towards the achievement of this noble endeavour, and give Kenyans a new constitution."

Earlier, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said with various reform commissions completing their work, the critical period of implementation beckoned and the Government must steer the process in unity.

"The commissions we put in place have either completed their work or are about to do so. We are entering the implementation phase that requires teamwork and a single-minded commitment by us as Government," said Raila.

CoE announced on Thursday it would release the proposed draft constitution on Tuesday, at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, to allow 30 days of public debate before the document is submitted to Parliament.

Noting time is of essence to deliver, Raila said: "We are moving into the mid term of our tenure as we begin the third year of the Coalition Government. Kenyans want results, they want it now and they cant wait."

There are fears the stalemate over the structure of government could scuttle the search for a new constitution that has spanned more than two decades.

Sources told The Standard on Saturday the Grand Coalition Management Committee has grappled with the thorny Executive issue since Tuesday without any progress.

The point of departure between Kibaki’s Party of National Unity and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement is who between the President and the PM should wield executive authority and control Government.