Muchemi Wachira
10 May 2008
Nairobi — The country's Grand Coalition cabinet was on Friday exuding confidence saying they are ready to work together as a team to restore confidence of all Kenyans.
They held their first forum since they were sworn in last month and promised to keep aside their political differences so that they can deliver services to the people.
"Time has come for us to start thinking as one Government because we shall be judged by Kenyans if we fail in our duties. So we should stop abusing one another and instead use civil language while addressing one another," Cooperative Development minister Joseph Nyaga (ODM) said.
His colleagues Martha Karua (Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs) (PNU) and Omingo Magara (assistant minister, Trade) (ODM) echoed the same sentiments during the official opening of an induction seminar for Ministers Assistant ministers and permanent secretaries.
National importance
President Kibaki who officially opened the workshop at the Kenya School of Monetary Studies in Nairobi urged his cabinet to develop a culture of talking and discussing issues of national importance, among themselves so as to maintain confidentiality.
Confidentiality, the President reminded his cabinet, is required from them whenever they are performing any Government business.
"We are members of one Government, colleagues in Cabinet and such we should always feel free to reach out to one another for consultations, instead of commenting on important national issues through the media," the Head of State said.
There was excitement among the ministers and their assistants even the ones who have not been seeing eye-to-eye.
It was time for them to bond and discus freely with one another. They could be seen laughing together while taking tea and lunch.
They said they will continue working with the same spirit even during the forth coming by-elections in five constituencies where both PNU and ODM are expected to lock horns.
Campaigns for the by elections are expected to start next week when parties nominate their candidates for the elections scheduled to take place on June 11.
"The campaigns for the by-elections will reduce tension between us (PNU and ODM) since we shall not use hate speeches since we have come to understand one another," Mr Magara said.
On his arrival President Kibaki was received by the Prime Minister Mr Raila Odinga, the minister for Public Service Mr Dalmas Otieno and the Head of Public Service Francis Muthaura.
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka did not speak at the function but he will deliver his speech when he closes the seminar on Saturday.
But speaking separately Mr Musyoka described the meeting as "an important session aimed at strengthening unity in the Grand Coalition Government.
President Kibaki during his address issued a stern warning to his minister and the PS against involving themselves in any corruption.
"You should ensure that corruption and misuse of public resources does not take place under your watch. In this regard, you will also be expected to step aside to allow for investigations, should your names be mentioned adversely with regard to corruption or other unethical conduct," President Kibaki who was reading a written speech told the meeting.
The President told his ministers and permanent secretaries that the two-day workshop has been designed to ensure that their discussions will highlight issues that are particularly important for the efficient and productive discharge of their duties.
Some of the issues the seminar was covering included individual responsibility for each of the ministers or PS who are public officers.
The seminar will also cover matters of collective responsibility, which the participants have to observe as members of the Government.
"These issues are derived from the oaths of allegiance that all ministers and assistant ministers took during the swearing in ceremony last month," President Kibaki said.
While inviting the President to deliver his speech, Mr Odinga said the last thing he would like to hear in the grand coalition is disagreement between cabinet ministers.
"There is no ODM or PNU minister. We are all Government ministers," Mr Odinga said.
Grand opposition
He added, "Disagreement between ministers is a sign of a disorganised Government."
Mr Odinga also took issue with the grand opposition being led by Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba.
"The grand opposition has missed the point and it is undermining the principles of the Grand Coalition : government," he said.
MPs allied to the grand opposition have introduced a motion in Parliament which will create an official grand opposition if it is passed.
Mr Odinga asked the MPs to stop pushing for the grand coalition saying not all of them could have been accommodated in the Grand Coalition Government.
"Let us all work together for the benefit of this nation," the PM said.
He also dressed down Transport minister Chirau Mwakwele who he accused of inefficiency.
The port of Mombasa, Mr Odinga pointed out has been so inefficient in delivering goods, which he blamed on Mr Mwakwele ministry saying the problem is also hurting the economies of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Democratic Republic of Congo. The four countries relies on the port because they are landlocked.
He told the Ministers and their assistants at the seminar that besides inducting themselves into the existing procedures and process, they should also contemplate the changes needed to actualise the new governance structure as embodied in the Grand Coalition.
"It is time for new thinking, new ideas, re-examination of where we are and the systems that exists. A time for re-birth and renewal, and a time to have a fresh start after the turbulent first quarter of the year."
He said this time the Cabinet must change, particularly in the way they work if the National Accord is to succeed.
The PM whose duty is to coordinate and supervise the execution of the function of the Government also announced that next week, he will be releasing the first evaluation report on the ministries that existed before the Grand Coalition was formed.
"We shall release the report so that you can know the performance of the ministries you have inherited and you will then be judged from where you take over," Mr Odinga told the ministers.
In his introduction speech, Mr Muthaura said purpose of the workshop is to prepare a grand coalition Government, which is facing a heavy responsibility of unifying the country.
And Mr Otieno the Public Service minister, told his colleagues in his speech: "It how we discharge our duties as ministers designated to our dockets that we shall restore the confidence of Kenyans."
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