By our reporter
Kenya’s president and opposition leader have promised to begin a process of reconciliation following last year’s bitterly contested election.
Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga called each other “brothers” during a surprise joint TV address.
Mr Odinga had sworn himself in as the “people’s president” and refused to recognize Mr Kenyatta as head of state.
The announcement came shortly before the arrival of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Kenya.
Speaking in Nairobi Mr Tillerson later praised the two men for taking “a very positive step”.
However, he also said that Kenya needed to “correct certain actions, like shutting down TV stations and threatening the independence of the courts”.
Until Friday 9th, both Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga had dismissed calls for talks, from both Kenyans and foreign diplomats.
About 150 people were killed in the aftermath of the election, which Mr Kenyatta won after an opposition boycott.
In their joint address, President Kenyatta said: “We will begin a process of discussing what ails us and what creates division amongst us.”
Mr Odinga said it was “time to resolve our differences”.
