Joseph Murimi And Elizabeth Mwai
27 March 2008
Nairobi — MPS and religious leaders have urged President Kibaki and Prime Minister- designate Raila Odinga, not to succumb to pressure to reward allies through Cabinet appointments.
Igembe South MP, Mr Mithika Linturi, and his Nithi counterpart, Mr Kaleke Mbiuki, expressed anger at the proposal to expand the Cabinet, while the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) proposed a 25-member Government.
"Kibaki and Raila should come out and address the issues. They should resist external pressure when making decisions," said Linturi.
The Reverend Canon Peter Karanja, the National Council of Churches of Kenya General-Secretary, at Jumuia Centre in Limuru, on Wednesday. With him is the Reverend Eliud Wabukala. Picture: Ann Kamoni
He said Parliament did its part in legislating the peace deal, adding that undue delay in naming the Cabinet could bring tension.
Linturi said Cabinet ministers were equal.
Mbiuki said a bloated Government would not deliver. He proposed a 20-member Cabinet, with one assistant minister for each docket.
"My people will understand if I'm not a member of a small Cabinet," Mbiuki said.
He said the matter should be put to rest so that other matters like the resettlement of displaced people and reconstruction could be addressed.
Separately, NCCK General-Secretary, the Reverend Canon Peter Karanja, challenged the President and Raila to fulfill a campaign promise of a lean Government.
"They promised a lean, efficient and effective Government and Kenyans must expect nothing less," he said.
Speaking at Jumuiya Conference Centre in Limuru, the religious leaders said the naming of a Cabinet was overdue.
"Kenyans want to see this thing done quickly. Business has stalled and these leaders should not hold us in suspense," Karanja said.
The Council termed an attempt to create more positions a move to reward cronies.
NCCK said post-election violence left the country impoverished, and spending large amounts of money to pay ministers was outrageous.
Karanja noted that a large Cabinet would have overlapping responsibilities. PNU wants a 44-member Cabinet, while ODM has proposed 34 seats.
But NCCK said a Government of 25 portfolios would be effective and affordable.
They cautioned against the international community interfering in the matter, saying they could push for ministries to cater for their interests.
NCCK is also demanding that the role of the assistant ministers be defined.
"There is no need of assistant ministers drawing salaries without rendering services," Karanja said.
NCCK also urged the Government to help people displaced in post-election chaos.
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