Kenya

New Cabinet Formed in Kenya

By Joseph Ojwang

President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya and opposition leader Raila Odinga of ODM named the new grand coalition cabinet, after months of negotiation.

Kenya was plunged into war which killed thousands and displaced millions following a disputed presidential election last year.

Former UN Secretary General Koffi Annan, led the two political protagonists in signing an accord that ended the war. Parliament then passed the necessary legislation to implement the agreement and pave way for a coalition Government in which Raila was installed as Prime Minister.

Despite ending the political stalemate, ODM supporters felt they were shortchanged since PNU party, which is affiliated with the president, retained the controversial plum ministries.

Cabinet ministers Kiriatu Murungi, Martha Karua, Prof. Sam Ongeri, Moses Wetangula, Chirau Mwakwere, Amos Kimunya, Yusuf Hajji and Prof. George Saitoti were reappointed to their posts, some of which were earlier demanded by ODM, leading to suspension of talks between Kibaki and Raila.

Disputed were the ministries of finance, local government, transport, foreign affairs, internal security, education, justice and constitutional affairs and defense.

The ODM party ceded their earlier demands and settled for occupying other low key ministries. All the ODM pentagon team was factored in the cabinet, including Musalia Mudavadi deputy PM and minister for local government, William Ruto minister for agriculture, Charity Ngilu minister for water, Joe Nyanga minister for cooperatives and Najib Balala minister for tourism.

Other notable ODM members are Prof Anyang Nyongo minister for medical services, Henry Kosgey minister for industrialization, Otieno Kajwang minister for immigration, Dalmas Otieno minister for public service and James Orengo minister for lands.

President Kibaki expanded the cabinet from thirty-four ministries to forty in order to accommodate ODM members, despite public protests that a bloated cabinet presents an additional financial burden while Kenya struggles to build its economy.

Inflation has been high in Kenya following the violence. Commodity prices are up and with the formation of additional ministries, Kenyans are bracing for hard times. There have also been calls for the reduction of ministers' salaries, now Sh. 1.2 million.

Thousands, forced by the violence into various camps across the country, celebrated the announcement of the new cabinet expecting that the focus would shift to the resettlement of displaced people.

President Kibaki urged the legislators to minimize politicking and work together to rebuild the country, regardless of their political affiliations, thus setting an example of peace and unity among Kenyans.

The accord signed between Kibaki and Raila specifies that the country will hold another general election if one coalition partner pulls out. However, a recent opinion poll reflected that the majority of Kenyans want the formation of a new Electoral Commission, first. This is consistent with public pressure that has been mounting over this issue.

Others want the commission to stay put until a government-appointed team investigates the Commission's conduct in the last general elections and determines its role in the tragedy.

Contact and support Ojwang Joe <ojwangjoe@yahoo.com>