Things were not smooth in bringing Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga to work together as President and Prime Minister in Grand Coalition Government.
The two were then the worst of political enemies, and so were their allies, after Raila accused Kibaki of rigging him out in the presidential race, and refused to accept his presidency.
It took the intervention of former Ghanian President Koffi Annan to broker peace, with the help of two men, very close to Kibaki and Raila, who eased the tension between the duo.
The two were then Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura on the side of Kibaki and then Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister's office Mohammed Isahakia.
The two, according to the Nation, would ensure that the two principals remained in working relationship, though they could not relate.
At times, Annan would call to encourage them to show leadership as statesmen. In 2009, when there was a power-sharing row, it took the intervention of Annan and Isahakia to communicate to both sides.
So trusted were the two men that at times they kept secrets for the principals, a good instance being in 2008, where not even Raila was aware of the joint-cabinet announcement destination.
Raila was only notified of the destination, Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri, while being driven to the airport, when Muthaura gave Isahakia the details of the retreat destination.