Kenyan crisis talks expand in Nairobi

NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The former U.N. leader mediating talks between the Kenyan government and opposition said personalities aren't the main issue, Nairobi media reported Tuesday.

Kofi Annan, the former U.N. secretary-general, is spearheading efforts to quell the political turmoil-turned violent since Dec. 27 election results were disputed by the opposition Orange Democratic Movement.

"Resolving of the current crisis is not about individuals ... but about strong institutions that will ensure the country will not have to return back to this kind of crisis every couple of years," Annan said.

The ODM, led by Raila Odinga and Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki's Party of National Unity each added a negotiator Monday to their original three, The Nation newspaper reported.

Graca Machel, the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela, and Benjamin Mkapa, the former president of Tanzania, were also scheduled to return to Nairobi Tuesday to rejoin the talks, the report said.