Nairobi — The Cabinet stalemate has made President Kibaki cancel a scheduled visit to India.

Instead, Foreign Affairs minister, Mr Moses Wetangula, last night flew out of the country to represent Kibaki at the Ministerial Conference and the Heads of State Summit.

Kibaki was expected to be among 13 African presidents attending the India-Africa Heads of State summit.

"I'm just about to leave for India where I will represent the President who will not travel as earlier planned. I believe that the two principals will reach a decision that will be in the best interest of Kenyans," said Wetangula.

Ironically, Wetangula's ministry is one of those at the centre of the dispute on portfolio balance. PNU insists that the ministry is a department under the Office of the President, while ODM is adamant that it belongs to them.

The other ministry at the centre of the Cabinet controversy is Local Government held by Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta.

Wetangula maintained that the Foreign Affairs ministry was supposed to be under the President.

"I cannot say much, but Foreign Affairs is a department under the President," Wetangula told The Standard at Harambee House, the venue of the talks between Kibaki and Raila.