(Recasts, adds Annan statement)

By George Obulutsa

NAIROBI, March 1 (Reuters) - Mediator Kofi Annan said on Saturday he was giving up day-to-day responsibility for reconciliation talks in Kenya after securing a deal to end its worst crisis since independence.

President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga signed a coalition government pact on Thursday intended to bring to a close two months of violence and political upheaval following a disputed presidential election on Dec. 27.

Although the deal ends the immediate political crisis, politicians from both sides have begun more detailed negotiations on how the deal will be implemented.

"There's hard, long work ahead," Annan said after meeting religious leaders in central Nairobi.

"It will require the cooperation of all Kenyans. It is important that the public at large understands that they have a role to play."

The violence has killed 1,000 Kenyans and forced 300,000 to flee their homes. Annan said ordinary people could make a difference to the political process.

"Maintain the pressure, maintain your interest and you will be surprised how politicians miraculously find the courage to do the right thing," he said.

Annan, who leaves Nairobi on Sunday, said he was convinced the talks would go smoothly and he was handing over day-to-day mediation to former Nigerian foreign minister Oluyemi Adeniji.

"But I will never be far away and can return on short notice if I am needed," Annan said in a statement. "I will be looking in on the talks from time to time." (Writing by Giles Elgood; editing by Robert Woodward) (For in depth coverage on Reuters Africa Web site: http://africa.reuters.com/elections/kenya/ )

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