Nairobi - Kenya's Justice Minister Martha Karua resigned on Monday, citing frustrations over the pace of reforms.

Karua was angry that President Mwai Kibaki appointed seven judges without informing her.

She said her position was now untenable and that she was being prevented from reforming the judicial system.

The resignation comes as Kenya's grand coalition - which was formed last March to end violence brought about by dispute election - looks on the verge of falling apart.

The coalition has been lambasted for failing to bring about promised reforms, and instead concentrating on bickering.

Several corruption scandals have also blotted the coaliton's copybook.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga and his Orange Democratic Movement party walked out of talks with Kibaki's Party of National Unity at the weekend, bringing the future of the coalition into doubt.

The talks were aimed at healing a growing rift between the two parties. (dpa)