Quote: Rice’s arrival, together with that of the coming and going of top world leaders has globalised what some Government functionaries appeared to think was a minor internal affair that would fizzle out.

Quote: Some Cabinet ministers have blamed it on the media, which they accuse of "exaggerating" the problem. Interviews with representatives of some of the nations that have put Kenya under pressure paint a different picture.

Ms Elisabeth Barbier, France’s ambassador to Kenya, who also heads the European Union group, says the battle the international community is fighting in Kenya is "bigger than Kenya". She says the aim is largely to protect democracy in Africa. "Kenya was really considered to be a role model, especially with the transition in 2002. There were fears Moi would hang on to power. But it did not happen and that set Kenya apart as a model," Barbier said.

"Everyone expected things to go in the right direction in Kenya. When they did not, everyone was taken aback and was surprised. The disappointment was greater because Kenya was a role model. The issue is now bigger than Kenya. If Kenya can have such problems with its presidential polls, what does that mean for the rest of Africa?"

These concerns, the EU head says, has made the international community keen to "see Kenya out of the ditch."

N.E. viewpoint: We have provided this story in full since it offers some insights as to differences between a local Kenyan view (what is all the fuss about) and an International view (any trouble in Kenya could be the harbinger of a African meltdown).

The local view is that Kenyan politics, to some extent, are under the spotlight due to media exaggeration (probably correct) and because Kenya has somehow become a signpost of stability in Africa - thereby assuming significance beyond its national interests and concerns.

Our view is the true state of affairs is somewhere in the centre ground. Government in Kenya is temporarily in disarray, the unusual violence stopped weeks ago, and the International Community are desperate to maintain Kenya as an example of African democracy in action - a role the Kenyans did not seek out for themselves.