Political life in Kenya is now returning to normal with President Daniel Arap Moli's announcement of his new Cabinet which included one surprise, that of Finance Minister Mr Mwai Kibaki as Vice President. Meanwhile, in accordance with President Moli's declaration that Kenya will be run on fully-democratic lines, former politicians have lost no time in coming forward. Foremost among them is former Kenyan Vice President Oginga Odinga who has announced that he will stand as a candidate for the post of National Chairman of the ruling Kenyan African Union (KANU) Party in the elections on 28 October. Mr Odinga has been struggling to regain a prominent role in Kenyan politics since relations between him the late President Jomo Kenyatta disintegrated in 1966. President Moi has said that he intends to continue the policies of the late President Kenyatta whom he replaces.

SYNOPSIS: The President intends no major changes until after the next general election.

Mr Kibaki is regarded as one of the new technocratic Kenyan leaders with a national appeal beyond his Kikuyu constituency. Mr Moi also abolished the position of Minister of State in the President's Office, previously held by President's Kenyatta's closest friend and brother-in-law, Mr Mbiyu Koinange.

Meanwhile, at a news conference on Tuesday (10 October) in Nairobi, Mr Oringa Odinga made his announcement.