By George Obulutsa
NAIROBI (Reuters) - Kenyans on Wednesday hailed the passingof laws needed for a power-sharing deal to end a deadlypost-election crisis but worried about bitter debates ahead asdiscussion turned to sharing out posts.
"This was a historic day for Kenya," the Daily Nationnewspaper said in an editorial after parliament approved twolaws creating the posts of prime ministers and two deputies.
That was part of a pact signed last month after PresidentMwai Kibaki's disputed re-election triggered riots and ethnicattacks that killed 1,000 people and badly dented Kenya's imageas east Africa's stable trade, transport and tourism hub.
The rare conciliatory mood among the country's lawmakerselated many Kenyans. But there were few illusions about thedifficult days ahead.
"Debate on the new constitution will almost certainly beacrimonious," the opposition-leaning Standard newspaper said inits editorial.
Legislators turned on Wednesday to debating Kibaki's speechon March 6 when he opened parliament. Those discussions hadbeen delayed so the two crucial bills could be passed quickly.
Behind closed doors, party leaders were thrashing out thecontentious topic of how to divide up government appointments.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is due to take the new roleof premier, while his and Kibaki's parties are both expected toname their choices for deputy prime minister.
Sharing cabinet posts fairly under the terms of thepower-sharing accord could also trigger acrimony.
The new government will then overhaul Kenya's constitution,a task that Kibaki failed to achieve during his first term whenthe public rejected a draft charter at a referendum in 2005.
As well as fixing what critics say is an all-powerfulpresidency, a new constitution will also have to tackle deepunderlying issues of inequality and land which the dispute overthe election laid bare.
"Seeking to right perceived wrongs must not lead to theinflicting of fresh wounds on the body politic, just as actualinjustices must not be glossed over as mere perceptionproblems," the Standard said.
(Editing by Daniel Wallis)
(For full Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say onthe top issues, visit: http://africa.reuters.com/)
