Bernard Namunane
30 April 2008
Nairobi — Cabinet ministers have been invited to a bonding session to promote harmony among leaders of diverse political parties making up the grand coalition Government.
Sources said the need for the meeting arose out of concern that tense relations between ministers from the PNU and ODM wings of the Cabinet could frustrate the agenda of the coalition Government.
On Tuesday, State House confirmed that the training to start on Friday would bring together all ministers, assistant ministers and permanent secretaries. The new ministers and assistant ministers in the expanded Cabinet were sworn in on April 13, just days before President Kibaki appointed permanent secretaries.
Letters were sent out on Monday inviting Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet ministers, assistant ministers and PSs to the seminar at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies.
The letters, dated April 23, were signed by the Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Muthaura.
One of the key issues on the agenda is Government protocol. During peace rallies in the Rift Valley last week, the Prime Minister and the Vice-President were involved in a public row over who was senior.
Ministers and MPs allied to each have been engaging in public quarrels over the issue.
The letters to the ministers read in part: "Following the appointment of the Vice President, Prime Minister, deputy Prime Ministers, ministers, assistant ministers and permanent secretaries/accounting officers, an induction seminar has been organised to familiarise them with Government policies, operations and their role as leaders in the delivery of public services."
State House also confirmed that the first meeting of the expanded Cabinet of 42 would not be held until next week. The Cabinet, chaired by the President, traditionally meets on Thursdays, but Thursday is a public holiday - Labour Day.
Mr Odinga is out of the country for medical treatment and is expected back before the weekend.
Protocol officials
During the Rift Valley tour, Mr Odinga blamed protocol officials for failing to amend the pecking order in recognition of the power-sharing accord that resulted in the grand coalition Government.
The programme for the meetings had Mr Odinga listed to speak ahead of Mr Musyoka who would in turn invite the President, but Mr Odinga rejected the arrangement.
He explained at a meeting in Eldoret that the National Accord was signed between himself and President Kibaki as equals, with the Vice-President lower down the pecking order.
Since then, Cabinet ministers Martha Karua and Mutula Kilonzo, on the PNU side, and Anyang' Nyong'o, James Orengo and William Ruto on the ODM side have publicly differed over the issue.
Those supporting Mr Musyoka have been pointing out the existing constitutional provisions which make the Vice- President the principal assistant to the President. Those loyal to Mr Odinga insist that the provision was overtaken by events once the National Accord came into effect and the office of Prime Minister was created under a power-sharing agreement that Mr Odinga and President Kibaki entered into as equals.
They point out that the VP was not a party to the agreement.
The tussle over seniority has brought out the lingering tensions even after the establishment of the grand coalition, raising fears that the Cabinet is pulling in different directions.
Among the priority programmes for the Government is the resettlement of more than 350,000 internal refugees, national reconciliation and key legal and constitutional reforms.
During the swearing in ceremony two weeks ago, President Kibaki and Mr Odinga assured the public that the grand coalition Cabinet would be united.
As part of the preparations for the bonding session, all new ministers and assistant ministers have been given draft circulars from Mr Muthaura's office outlining their official responsibilities.
On Tuesday, Mr Kilonzo, the Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister, and an assistant minister in the PM's office, Mr Alfred Kangati, confirmed receiving the circulars detailing their functions.
However, Mr Kilonzo said the final circular, issued by the President, would be sent later.
Said the minister: "I am clear about the heavy task that is ahead of me; I can tell you that it is enormous but I will strive to give the best to the public."
In addition to Mr Kilonzo's docket, other newly-created ministries were Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands; Fisheries; Industrialisation; Medical Services; Public Works; and Forestry and Wildlife.
The creation of the new ministries, most of them hived off from existing ones, meant that Mr Muthaura had to come up with new guidelines on the duties and responsibilities of the ministries.
This will involve moving some departments and parastatals that were previously under the parent ministries. For instance, some departments will be shifted after the Roads and Public Works ministry was split into two. The same will apply to the ministries of Trade and Industry; Health; Livestock and Fisheries; and Regional Development Authorities, all of which were split.
Most of the new ministers have reported to their offices although some are still not clear about their official roles. Others had no office space by last week.
Last week, all ministers and their assistants held day-long meetings with senior ministry officials to acquaint themselves with their new jobs as they awaited the presidential circular on duties and responsibilities.
The new ministers are expected to familiarise with their new dockets before Friday's meeting.
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