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Kenya: Leaders Push for Lean, Efficient Cabinet


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The Nation (Nairobi)

25 March 2008
Posted to the web 24 March 2008

Nairobi

Cabinet ministers, MPs and other leaders have asked President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga to name a lean and dynamic Cabinet.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga after the signing of a peace deal on February 28. The two, whose parties will be sharing Cabinet slots equally have been asked to appoint ministers who will spearhead reforms. Photo/FILE

Most of those who spoke to the Nation opposed calls for an expanded Cabinet as Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the new line-up might be unveiled this week.

However, some leaders said the Cabinet should be expanded to accommodate the numerous political interests.

President Kibaki and Mr Odinga are scheduled to meet and discuss details of the Cabinet at State House, Nairobi, Tuesday, amid reports that the ODM leader could be officially named Prime Minister.

And as anxiety among MPs grew over who would be named to the new Cabinet, Dr Mutua said in a statement: "Consultations on the formation of the new Cabinet are going on very well - even better than expected... There is no hitch nor deadlock and the Cabinet for a new Kenya will be announced by President Kibaki... as per the set programme."

He urged the public to be patient and "not fall victim to misinformation and wild speculation". Reports had indicated that the Cabinet could be expanded to satisfy the expectations of different regions.

Given that PNU, ODM and their affiliates are set to form a grand coalition, both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga are walking a tight rope in their attempts to craft a line-up that accommodates quality, regional balance, youth, gender and political loyalty.

John Cardinal Njue of the Catholic Church, National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, Anglican Church Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli asked the President and Mr Odinga to form a quality Cabinet with new faces.

They should also strike a balance between youth, gender and region.

Mr Marende urged the two leaders to appoint new faces since both PNU and ODM promised change during the election campaigns.

"It will be refreshing to see some younger and new faces that are able to bring about change," he said.

Mr Amos Kimunya, the Finance minister, said the Treasury was playing its advisory role as required but was barred from making comments on the size of the Cabinet.

"It will be premature to say anything on the issue but you can ask me after the Cabinet has been appointed and I will make available all the implications," he said.

Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere said he would support the establishment of a 34-member Cabinet "to foster development" since Kenya was a developing country.

Mr Mwakwere said in areas where there was underdevelopment, there was need to have more ministries to cater for specific development needs.

"We have the Ministry of Environment which takes care of environmental issues but we would require a ministry of mines which will help the country exploit its mineral resources," he said.

The minister was speaking at Kaya Kinondo in Kwale District.

Nambale MP Chris Okemo said Kenya could not afford an expanded Cabinet given that it was reeling from the effects of the post-election violence. Property worth billions of shillings was lost or destroyed during the violence.

The Government also lost billions due to the collapse of tourism and tax revenue after businesses were adversely affected by the violence that claimed the lives of over 1,200 people.

Mr Okemo said the current number of ministers - 34 - should be retained in the new line-up. President Kibaki filled 17 slots in January, saying he had named half his Cabinet.

If the number is retained, Mr Okemo said, it will not overburden the economy.

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"To maintain regional and political balance the current size should be retained because if it is trimmed, it will be very difficult for the two leaders to retain the loyalty of the regions," he said.

Science and Technology minister Noah Wekesa said an expanded Cabinet was not good for the country.

"Some people are campaigning for ministerial positions and I am urging President Kibaki and Mr Odinga not to listen too much to them. It is not a good idea to have a bloated Cabinet," he said.

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Recent comments on Kenya: Leaders Push for Lean, Efficient Cabinet. Click here to write your own.

Author: mikinduri

In a country where tribes measure their inclusion to the government through ministrial appointments will not allow a lean cabinet. I dont care who gets what because in all my life i have never sought any minister's assistance so i wont start now.

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