6 July 2008
Nairobi — Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised some ministers for leaking information to the media, saying the trend was threatening the grand coalition Government.
Mr Musyoka said it was against Government rules and procedures for a minister to leak information to third parties before it was discussed by the Cabinet.
"You cannot discuss Cabinet matters in the media. We must have discipline in our ranks," the Vice-President said at Mukurwe-ini stadium when he visited President Kibaki's home turf on Saturday.
This was in reference to last week's incident where the media were given copies of a report by a Cabinet committee investigating the controversial sale of the Grand Regency Hotel.
Mr Musyoka said he agreed with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta's sentiments on the issue. The DPM has condemned the practice.
The Vice-President said the tendency could lead to the collapse of the coalition Government. "Everything will be investigated and no one is afraid of telling the truth. All I ask is for my colleagues to be disciplined," he said.
Mr Musyoka, who was speaking at Mukurwe-ini MP and Sports assistant minister Kabando Wa Kabando's homecoming party, called for a full investigation into the Grand Regency sale saga.
Speaking at the same occasion, Justice minister Martha Karua said investigations would be intensified but no one would be victimised. Ms Karua said the Government was widening investigations to include other leaders suspected to have been involved in corrupt deals.
Assistant ministers Mwangi Kiunjuri and Peter Kenneth and MPs Jeremiah Kioni (Ndaragwa), Johnstone Muthama (Kangundo), Victor Munyaka (Machakos Town), Alex Mburi (Tharaka), Gideon Konchellah (Kilgoris), Ephraim Maina (Mathira), Nemesyus Warugongo (Kieni), Lenny Kivuti (Siakago) and Clement Muchiri (Mathioya) attended the party.
Speakers called on Party of National Unity (PNU) affiliates to unite saying their colleagues in ODM had hatched a plot to discredit them.
They defended Finance minister Amos Kimunya, saying it was unfair to accuse him without providing evidence.
The MPs also demanded equal representation and distribution of resources according to population density.
Mr Kiunjuri said it was unfair for densely populated areas to have the same number of slots in appointments and hiring of workers as those with fewer people. "In the new constitution, we shall demand equal representation in the country where areas are allocated resources according to population density," Mr Kiunjuri said.
Meanwhile Mr Musyoka yesterday called on politicians to stop the Kibaki succession debate.
The VP said it amounted to disrespect for any leader to declare their interests in vying for the presidency come 2012, "yet President Kibaki's term is far from over and nothing has shown he is losing control of the government."
Ethnic based
Speaking at Wiyumiririe, Ndaragwa, Kanyagia and Mutanga in Ndaragwa, Mr Musyoka supported calls for formation of a few strong political parties unlike presently where most are ethnic based.
Ten MPs at the function called on Kenyans to support Mr Musyoka for the presidency saying he was the only leader whose supporters were not linked to the post-election violence.
The MPs were Mr Johnstone Muthama (Kang'undo), Mr Erastus Muriithi (Ol Kalou), Mr David Ngugi (Kinangop), Mr Elias Mbau (Maragwa) Dr Victor Munyaka (Machakos), Mr Ephrahim Maina (Mathira), Mr Peter Mwathi (Limuru) and assistant ministers Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia West) and Kabando wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini) and host Jeremiah Kioni.
Reports by Wilfred Muchire, James Kariuki, David Macharia and Moses Mwathi
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