Published on April 6, 2008, 12:00 am
By Gakuu Mathenge
President Kibaki may have wished for a peaceful second term to polish up his image and leave a better legacy.
But he is staring a bumpy ride in office as he names the Cabinet, today.
And like in 2003, when he took the oath of office on a wheel chair, the second term starts with a power-sharing deal that leaves him with few options to keep his friends happy.
Even with an expanded Cabinet, the President’s headaches are far from over. He has to convince his Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya troops to revise their expectations downwards.
PNU itself is a mixed bag of acquaintances in Narc-Kenya, Kanu, Ford-Kenya, Safina, Democratic Party, Shirikisho and others, all looking up for rewards.
Recent statements indicate that Kibaki has a Herculean task in sharing out the 20 Cabinet seats allocated to the party.
He has to balance competing interests, appease the homeboys, and keep newfound partners in ODM-Kenya.Already, some MPs and supporters in ODM-Kenya acknowledge that the possibility of resilient Kitui Central MP, Mrs Charity Ngilu returning home with a ministerial flag would cast their leader, Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka badly.
"Such a scenario casts Kalonzo in very bad light politically. It provides ready propaganda for his rivals to claim that he only joined Government for his personal gain," said an MP from Ukambani, who sought anonymity.
The ODM-Kenya troops are said to be livid and on the edge, demanding not less than two additional Cabinet appointments.
The party helped prop up a besieged PNU side when the President’s party was under intense local and international pressure over last year’s disputed and discredited presidential election.
Kalonzo’s move to join Kibaki propped to a limping regime.
Speculation was rife that Mbooni MP, Mr Mutula Kilonzo and Mwingi North MP, Mr David Musila, were to be brought into the first Cabinet, but things happened too fast.
This was when post-election violence broke out, killing about 1,000 people followed by the international mediation.
The mediation led by former UN chief, Dr Kofi Annan led to the signing of the National Reconciliation Accord, which laid the foundation for a grand coalition.
Equally disturbing for the President, Narc-Kenya has been grumbling that it got a raw deal in the first appointment of Cabinet ministers.
Parliamentary strength
They have claimed to have 29 MPs, higher than other PNU affiliates.
"Kanu has nine MPs and has four Cabinet ministers. Ford-Kenya has four MPs and three ministers. Narc-Kenya is saying Cabinet appointments should be based on the party strength in Parliament. We are also demanding the deputy Prime Minister’s post," former minister, Mr Mutua Katuku, said in an earlier interview.
Katuku, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Ms Martha Karua and Garsen MP, Mr Danson Mungatana founded the flower party.
Early this week, the party declared Karua its Parliamentary Group Leader.
And following the announcement that President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga had agreed on a 40-member Cabinet, lobbying has intensified in PNU side for the additional three slots.
The President has appointed 17 ministers from PNU and ODM-Kenya.
Yesterday, Energy Minister, Mr Kiraitu Murungi visited Meru and gang up with the Njuri Ncheke elders in demanding more Cabinet slots.
Kiraitu and the elders cited the over 500,000 they cast for Kibaki in the General Election.
"Eastern Province is not properly represented by the VP, Kalonzo and myself, we need more," said Kiraitu.
Kiraitu is among Narc-Kenya leaders who claim the party got a raw deal in PNU, including nominations to Parliament.
Two of PNU nominations went to DP secretary-general, Mr George Nyamweya, Ford-Kenya leader, Mr Musikari Kombo.
Narc-Kenya has also fronted Karua, Mungatana, Prof George Saitoti, Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere, and Kiraitu for the deputy Prime Minister’s post, giving the President a wide choice.
"Karua represents gender considerations, Mwakwere both Coast regional and Islamic considerations, Mungatana youth, while Saitoti and Kiraitu bring in the geographical and regional interests," said a source close to the party leadership.
Karua is said to be in the Kibaki succession battle with Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Saitoti and Kiraitu.
Consequently, the one who clinches the deputy premier will be at an advantage in central Kenya.
Saitoti, also widely believed to harbouring ambitions to be on the presidential ballot in 2012, has his own credentials.
Mwakwere would also make a useful anti-ODM bulwark at the Coast, and appease the Muslim constituency.
Whatever choice President Kibaki makes, it will not be an easy one given the disparate interests.
By Gakuu Mathenge
President Kibaki may have wished for a peaceful second term to polish up his image and leave a better legacy.
But he is staring a bumpy ride in office as he names the Cabinet, today.
And like in 2003, when he took the oath of office on a wheel chair, the second term starts with a power-sharing deal that leaves him with few options to keep his friends happy.
Even with an expanded Cabinet, the President’s headaches are far from over. He has to convince his Party of National Unity (PNU) and Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya troops to revise their expectations downwards.
PNU itself is a mixed bag of acquaintances in Narc-Kenya, Kanu, Ford-Kenya, Safina, Democratic Party, Shirikisho and others, all looking up for rewards.
Recent statements indicate that Kibaki has a Herculean task in sharing out the 20 Cabinet seats allocated to the party.
He has to balance competing interests, appease the homeboys, and keep newfound partners in ODM-Kenya.Already, some MPs and supporters in ODM-Kenya acknowledge that the possibility of resilient Kitui Central MP, Mrs Charity Ngilu returning home with a ministerial flag would cast their leader, Vice-President, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka badly.
"Such a scenario casts Kalonzo in very bad light politically. It provides ready propaganda for his rivals to claim that he only joined Government for his personal gain," said an MP from Ukambani, who sought anonymity.
The ODM-Kenya troops are said to be livid and on the edge, demanding not less than two additional Cabinet appointments.
The party helped prop up a besieged PNU side when the President’s party was under intense local and international pressure over last year’s disputed and discredited presidential election.
Kalonzo’s move to join Kibaki propped to a limping regime.
Speculation was rife that Mbooni MP, Mr Mutula Kilonzo and Mwingi North MP, Mr David Musila, were to be brought into the first Cabinet, but things happened too fast.
This was when post-election violence broke out, killing about 1,000 people followed by the international mediation.
The mediation led by former UN chief, Dr Kofi Annan led to the signing of the National Reconciliation Accord, which laid the foundation for a grand coalition.
Equally disturbing for the President, Narc-Kenya has been grumbling that it got a raw deal in the first appointment of Cabinet ministers.
Parliamentary strength
They have claimed to have 29 MPs, higher than other PNU affiliates.
"Kanu has nine MPs and has four Cabinet ministers. Ford-Kenya has four MPs and three ministers. Narc-Kenya is saying Cabinet appointments should be based on the party strength in Parliament. We are also demanding the deputy Prime Minister’s post," former minister, Mr Mutua Katuku, said in an earlier interview.
Katuku, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister, Ms Martha Karua and Garsen MP, Mr Danson Mungatana founded the flower party.
Early this week, the party declared Karua its Parliamentary Group Leader.
And following the announcement that President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate Raila Odinga had agreed on a 40-member Cabinet, lobbying has intensified in PNU side for the additional three slots.
The President has appointed 17 ministers from PNU and ODM-Kenya.
Yesterday, Energy Minister, Mr Kiraitu Murungi visited Meru and gang up with the Njuri Ncheke elders in demanding more Cabinet slots.
Kiraitu and the elders cited the over 500,000 they cast for Kibaki in the General Election.
"Eastern Province is not properly represented by the VP, Kalonzo and myself, we need more," said Kiraitu.
Kiraitu is among Narc-Kenya leaders who claim the party got a raw deal in PNU, including nominations to Parliament.
Two of PNU nominations went to DP secretary-general, Mr George Nyamweya, Ford-Kenya leader, Mr Musikari Kombo.
Narc-Kenya has also fronted Karua, Mungatana, Prof George Saitoti, Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere, and Kiraitu for the deputy Prime Minister’s post, giving the President a wide choice.
"Karua represents gender considerations, Mwakwere both Coast regional and Islamic considerations, Mungatana youth, while Saitoti and Kiraitu bring in the geographical and regional interests," said a source close to the party leadership.
Karua is said to be in the Kibaki succession battle with Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, Saitoti and Kiraitu.
Consequently, the one who clinches the deputy premier will be at an advantage in central Kenya.
Saitoti, also widely believed to harbouring ambitions to be on the presidential ballot in 2012, has his own credentials.
Mwakwere would also make a useful anti-ODM bulwark at the Coast, and appease the Muslim constituency.
Whatever choice President Kibaki makes, it will not be an easy one given the disparate interests.
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