Cabinet ministers, MPs and other leaders have asked President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga to name a lean and dynamic Cabinet.
Most of those who spoke to the Nation opposed calls for an expanded Cabinet as Government spokesman Alfred Mutua said the new line-up might be unveiled this week.
However, some leaders said the Cabinet should be expanded to accommodate the numerous political interests.
President Kibaki and Mr Odinga are scheduled to meet and discuss details of the Cabinet at State House, Nairobi, Tuesday, amid reports that the ODM leader could be officially named Prime Minister.
And as anxiety among MPs grew over who would be named to the new Cabinet, Dr Mutua said in a statement: “Consultations on the formation of the new Cabinet are going on very well — even better than expected... There is no hitch nor deadlock and the Cabinet for a new Kenya will be announced by President Kibaki... as per the set programme.”
He urged the public to be patient and “not fall victim to misinformation and wild speculation”. Reports had indicated that the Cabinet could be expanded to satisfy the expectations of different regions.
Given that PNU, ODM and their affiliates are set to form a grand coalition, both President Kibaki and Mr Odinga are walking a tight rope in their attempts to craft a line-up that accommodates quality, regional balance, youth, gender and political loyalty.
John Cardinal Njue of the Catholic Church, National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende, Anglican Church Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi and Cotu secretary-general Francis Atwoli asked the President and Mr Odinga to form a quality Cabinet with new faces.
They should also strike a balance between youth, gender and region.
Mr Marende urged the two leaders to appoint new faces since both PNU and ODM promised change during the election campaigns.
“It will be refreshing to see some younger and new faces that are able to bring about change,” he said.
Mr Amos Kimunya, the Finance minister, said the Treasury was playing its advisory role as required but was barred from making comments on the size of the Cabinet.
“It will be premature to say anything on the issue but you can ask me after the Cabinet has been appointed and I will make available all the implications,” he said.
Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere said he would support the establishment of a 34-member Cabinet “to foster development” since Kenya was a developing country.
Mr Mwakwere said in areas where there was underdevelopment, there was need to have more ministries to cater for specific development needs.
“We have the Ministry of Environment which takes care of environmental issues but we would require a ministry of mines which will help the country exploit its mineral resources,” he said.
The minister was speaking at Kaya Kinondo in Kwale District.
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Sources: Kenya Today
Daily Nation
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