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Kenya: MPs Take First Step to Limit Size of Cabinet
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The Nation (Nairobi)
15 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Nairobi
The MPs allowed Turkana Central MP Ekwee Ethuro (PNU) to introduce a Bill that seeks to let Parliament establish Government ministries.
All members who contributed to the debate supported the proposed law, saying it was long overdue.
They were united in blaming themselves and successive post-independence MPs for not passing laws to decide on the number of ministers Kenya should have at any given time.
National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs assistant minister, William Cheptumo, supported the motion, but proposed that its intention be fitted in the larger review of the Constitution.
It is the spirit of the Constitution that the Bill proposed by Mr Ethuro seeks to invoke, with a rider that Parliament shall also state requirements for appointment of ministers.
Section 16 (1) sates: "There shall be such offices of Minister of the Government of Kenya as may be established by Parliament or, subject to any provisions made by Parliament, by the President."
Former MPs Paul Muite and Justin Muturi brought similar motions during the Eighth and Ninth Parliaments, respectively.
Could not pass
Mr Muturi failed to bring such a Bill when President Kibaki co-opted a number of Kanu MPs, including party chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, to his Cabinet.
On Wednesday, Mr Muturi recalled what happened, and said: "I realised my Bill could not pass because of massive poaching of Kanu members to the Cabinet. I got frustrated and ditched the mission."
In the chamber on Wednesday, MPs were of the view that it was necessary for Parliament to provide ministerial "pigeon holes" into which the Head of State shall "insert" appointees.
They argued that the move would spare the President the pressures from leaders as they lobby for posts.
But they seemingly justified the current Cabinet size comprising 42 ministers, up from 38, saying the hybrid arrangement was put in place to save the country from the jaws of self-inflicted post-election violence.
The lawmakers were united in suggesting that the next Government be formed on the basis of the proposed Ekwee Bill, if passed.
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Mr Ethuro said the President needed a lean, clean and competent Cabinet.
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