Churchill Otieno
17 April 2008
Nairobi — Kenya's Grand Coalition Cabinet has been sworn into office, seeing Raila Odinga take office as the second Prime Minister in the country's history.
The Cabinet, with a total of 41 ministers in addition to the President and the PM, is also the largest ever in Kenya's history.
The ceremony at State House, Nairobi, was witnessed by the chief mediator in the peace making process, Mr Kofi Annan and several diplomats.
Mr Odinga, who was first to take the oath of office, first swore allegiance to the presidency as a member of the Cabinet then took another oath as PM, undertaking to "counsel and advice" the President.
Next on line for the swearing in were Mr Odinga's two deputies, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Musalia Mudavadi. In addition to being Deputy PMs, the two also have ministerial portfolios, with Mr Kenyatta being responsible for Trade while Mr Mudavadi is responsible for Local Government.
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to me its not a big deal the number of ministers, but what they will do for the peoples of kenya, i think for the first time in our history in kenya, they are going to be competitions between the opposition and the president on power, cause both are in the same government and the ones that do much for the peoples the ones the peoples will choose in 2012
The turmoil in Kenya although costed dear, innocent, young lives begins now to bear the fruits of integrity as a solution to Kenya's political mess. It is the only way forward to have a government whose strength lies not in the positions of men but in the integrity of what the positions hold under Supreme supervision which is mandatory for you both. For Kibaki it is a step of faith; whereas, for Raila it is not a matter of celebrity but a moment to exploit every God given counsel to perform the tasks of a true 'adviser and counsellor'. This is what has been waiting for you to do as a patriotic son of Kenya not only seeking a position but an opportunity to serve. God bless and help you both. Congratulations. Lydiah.
i think they will be some though times ahead, but this was the most important to deal with, because if there is no union government so much will be impossible