NAIROBI - Talks aimed at forming a coalition cabinet in Kenya adjourned Friday amid deep differences over the size of the government and distribution of portfolios, prime minister-designate Raila Odinga said.

Odinga said the talks on the much-delayed formation of the cabinet -- a key step in the power-sharing deal aimed at ending Kenya's post-election strife -- yielded no consensus and had been indefinitely suspended.

"We also revisited the issue of the size of the cabinet and the allocation of portfolios to ODM and PNU. But we have been unable to reach a consensus so far," Odinga said, reading a statement at a press conference.

He was referring to his Orange Democratic Movement and Kibaki's Party of National Unity.

"I don't say that the talks have broken down, not at all. As you know this negotiations take time ... they (PNU) are asking for this and we are asking for that, we will try to plug the gaps."

Kibaki's office said in a statement that the talks "reviewed proposals on the formation of a cabinet" that were agreed on the previous meeting on Tuesday.

"It was agreed that there was need for further consultations," the statement added.

A deal was reached on February 28 after weeks of mediation led by former UN chief Kofi Annan whereby President Mwai Kibaki's party and Odinga's movement evenly split the cabinet jobs.

"We finished talks but we did not agree on anything and not a day to resume talks ... we have given them our proposal and given them time to think about it," Odinga said.

Both sides have blamed each other for the deadlock, which has prompted Annan to get involved again, according to officials involved in the negotiations.

Odinga explained that they disagreed on the size of the cabinet. Kibaki is insisting on 44 while Odinga wants 34 ministers. Kibaki has already appointed 17 ministers in the current cabinet.

"A lean cabinet is necessary not only because we need to contain public expenditure at a time when there is such abject poverty and deprivation among our people, but also because a leaner cabinet can more efficiently deliver on the services and policies that Kenyans need," he added.

The Kibaki camp insists on retaining the finance and public service portfolios, a position that the ODM has refused to accept, because the two some of the most important, officials said.

"There is an impression being created in the media that we are haggling over ministries because somebody wants to eat. No, this is about service to the people of Kenya."

"If we are in the government, we have to have a say in key ministries, we just do not want to be passengers in the government," Odinga added.

He insisted that the ODM must be involved in the "political appointees" in the civil service, notably ministries' permanent secretaries, diplomats and heads of parastatals.

Odinga said there no need to invite Annan at the moment because the talks are still under way.

"I want to appeal to Kenyans also the media, please allow time, do not make it appear that people are now dying. It is better to do it once and do it right, better that do it wrong because of haste, because of pressure coming from the people."

The ODM leader said he was not able to address the worsening humanitarian crisis among displaced people because his party is not in government.

"As soon as the government is formed, we will be part of the government. I am willing to spearhead the process of reconstruction and resettlement and the entire process of reconciliation of our country.

"But we cannot do that if there are still gaps between us, we can only do that when we are a government then we can be speaking with one voice," Odinga added.

Meanwhile, three people died in a Rift Valley camp, where living conditions are worsening amid cold weather and food shortage, police said.

- AFP /ls