Cabinet shuffle that never was

By Beauttah Omanga

A Cabinet shuffle slotted for last Tuesday failed to materialise after a minister declined to take over the influential Finance docket.

Sources told The Standard that acting Finance Minister John Michuki allegedly declined to be confirmed, throwing President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga into a dilemma.

The President and the PM had planned to announce the new Cabinet together last week, which would have entailed a delicate balancing act between the two coalition partners — PNU and ODM.

"Michuki refused to be confirmed, saying he would not take up the position because (former Finance Minister Amos) Kimunya had not been found guilty by the (Justice Majid) Cockar Commission," the source said.

President Kibaki and his inner circle are reported to have scheduled a meeting for last Thursday to re-work the Cabinet, but that, too, did not take off, as the Cockar report had not been received.

Mr Kimunya was censured by Parliament over his handling of the controversial sale of the Grand Regency Hotel, the De La Rue money-printing contract and the sale of Safaricom shares.

The Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance, chaired by Nambale MP Chris Okemo, then found Kimunya culpable and recommended that he was "unfit to run the Finance ministry".

It is understood that a group of MPs from Central Province has been exerting pressure on President Kibaki to return Kimunya to the Finance docket.

"Their argument is based on what Lands Minister James Orengo told the Cockar Commission: He was not sure whether Kimunya committed an offence in the manner he handled the Grand Regency hotel sale," said another source familiar with the saga.

In his testimony before the commission, Mr Orengo said he had realised that Kimunya may not have committed any offence.

President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. A Cabinet shuffle slotted for last Tuesday failed to materialise after a minister declined to take over the influential Finance docket. Photo: File/Standard

This was despite Orengo’s earlier pronouncements accusing the former Finance minister and which form part of a defamation suit by Kimunya against the Lands minister.

It was on that basis that Kimunya’s lawyers at the Cocker Commission said they saw no need of their client testifying before the commission.

The commission closed public hearings without hearing from Kimunya. His lawyer, Prof Githu Muigai, said he saw no need for the former minister to testify, adding that he had not been adversely mentioned.

Kimunya, who is also the Kipipiri MP, has maintained his innocence.

"Key witnesses, including valuers, exonerated Kimunya from blame and that is the argument for those who want Kimunya back in the Cabinet and at the Treasury," said the source.

Since President Kibaki came to power in 2003, a number of ministers have resigned to pave way for investigation.

Facing pressure

Internal Security Minister George Saitoti (then at Education) and his Energy counterpart, Mr Kiraitu Murungi and former Finance Minister David Mwiraria resigned amid pressure from Kenyans to quit.

Prof Saitoti and Kiraitu were reappointed to the Cabinet after investigation and court cleared them. So was Mwiraria who returned to the Cabinet before last year’s election.

The President is also facing pressure to elevate three assistant ministers to full ministerial positions, while the PM is keen to ensure deceased ODM ministers Lorna Laboso (Assistant minister) and Kipkalya Kones (Roads) are replaced by party members.

Things are particularly dicey for PNU, where one Assistant Minister is being propped for two reasons: To stop DP, in which he is a crucial member, from straying from the Kibaki succession race and to bring on board his disenchanted community.

Another Assistant Minister was being considered for promotion to ease grumbling among the Meru who want Kiraitu to get another colleague from the region.

But if Kimunya were to be given a clean bill of health, then the President would be spoilt for choice.

On his side, Raila is said to have made up his mind on the two leaders from the Rift Valley who would replace Kones and Laboso.

Sources said an Assistant Minister from South Rift is a front-runner to succeed Kones, while relatives of the departed ministers are likely to be appointed assistant ministers.

The PM was said to be pushing for at least three more slots for assistant ministers to go to the Kipsigis sub-tribe and one to the Kisii who have been grumbling of unfair rewards despite their support in his bid for the presidency.

As the big announcement is expected any time this week, ODM is said to have also convinced President Kibaki to accept to appoint its nominees in foreign missions.

Since the coalition Government was formed, ODM has accused PNU of short-changing it in the 50-50 power-sharing arrangements.

Two weeks ago, ODM reportedly declined to accept a list of new diplomats and demanded that the party’s nominees be included on an equal basis.

The demand has now been accepted despite resistance by some senior PNU members.

Orengo is on record accusing Head of Pubic Service Francis Muthaura of using his office to undermine the PM’s work, including his resistance to the 50-50 sharing of power.

 

 

 

 

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