Kenya's opposition splits ahead of election

NAIROBI, Aug 15 (Reuters) Kenya's main opposition coalition has split into two factions ahead of a presidential election in December, boosting President Mwai Kibaki's chances of re-election, politicians said today.

After months of feuding between opposition presidential aspirants Raila Odinga and Kalonzo Musyoka, the pair have parted ways to lead the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Orange Democratic Movement-K (ODM-K) respectively.

Odinga, a firebrand former political prisoner and son of a socialist independence hero, is second to Kibaki in opinion polls ahead of the vote in east Africa's largest economy.

Musyoka, a former foreign minister and lawyer, is third.

Analysts had said the pair needed to stay united to have a chance of stopping Kibaki, 75, from winning a second term after taking over from former president Daniel arap Moi in 2002.

Kibaki is popular among Kenyans for introducing free primary education and presiding over healthy economic growth, but receives low marks on corruption and poor infrastructure.

Najib Balala, another opposition leader allied to ODM, confirmed the opposition disarray to Reuters. ''There has been a fallout,'' he said. ''Kalonzo has become a lone ranger.'' ''FINAL FALLOUT'' With power-play taking precedence over ideology as usual in Kenyan politics, Odinga and Musyoka had sought to paper over their differences in recent months as each jostled for the main opposition presidential ticket.

But a split crystallised late yesterday when Odinga formalised his position with ODM by taking over the party's registration documents. Neither could be reached today, their aides saying they were in meetings.

In language signalling the seriousness of their parting of ways, however, the Daily Nation quoted Musyoka as calling Odinga ''a coward'' and wishing him ''good riddance''.

Balala, who is close to Odinga although theoretically also seeking the ODM presidential ticket himself, said the movement that came into being to fight Kibaki during a 2005 referendum was intact and remained the main legitimate opposition.

He said Musyoka was working with Julia Ojiambo -- one of ODM-Kenya's eight presidential hopefuls -- to destroy the coalition.

''He has shown that he wants to be on the ballot paper at whatever the cost. I believe that he is working with other political parties to support Kibaki in the election,'' he said.

The Odinga-Musyoka split will spark speculation that Musyoka may consider a reunion with Kibaki before the poll, or going it alone to make it a three-horse race. Musyoka had fallen from grace over his political ambitions.

Political intrigue in the run-up to the December vote has been dominating Kenyan media for months. The Standard termed the opposition split the ''Final Fallout'' on its front-page.

REUTERS SLD KN1446