Kibaki to meet Coast MPs
By Caroline Mango
August, 28, 2008
President Kibaki has booked a date with all Coast MPs at State House, Mombasa.The meeting comes a day after Prime Minister Raila Odinga met the legislators and outlined his plan for the region.Kibaki told Transport minister and Matuga MP Chirau Mwakwere that he would like to meet the leaders in a follow-up meeting.On the agenda are issues they listed when they met the President a month ago in Nairobi.Mwakwere has informed the MPs about the meeting.
They are expected to hold discussions on Friday afternoon, after the Head of State receives athletes who arrived in the country on Wednesday.Assistant minister and Kinango MP Gonzi Rai said on Thursday expectations by the MPs would largely dwell on feedback by the President on matters raised at their last meeting, at his Harambee House office.Kibaki is expected to brief them on steps his Government has taken so far to solve issues top on the agenda.They include land, water, human-wildlife conflict and appointments to key positions.
They also expect him to state his stand on the appointment of Coast residents to parastatals in the region, including the Port of Mombasa and other key Government positions.East African Community Minister Amason Kingi said their expectations would be that the President would outline the GovernmentÕs strategy in solving thorny issues like land.ÒLargely, we will expect more from him because we handed over our demands on issues we felt had not been resolved in the region for a long time.
Land is top on the list,Ó said Kingi.The MPs are also demanding the immediate re-constitution of the Mombasa Water Board, a deadlock they said had delayed funds to repair the Mzima Springs, a major water source for Mombasa and its environs.
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Coast MPs to report Raila to the President
Published on 25/08/200
8By Caroline Mango
Discontent against Prime Minister Raila Odinga will be on the rise in the next few days as Coast MPs take their accusations against him before President Kibaki this week.MPs are waiting to register their anger over what they term undue interference by the Prime Minister in the region.Key among the issues they will be accusing Raila of is his stand that the new Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) boss be hired competitively, regardless of his ethnicity.
Their discontent against Raila will be coming soon after another disquiet by MPs from the South Rift region who expressed their displeasure at the decision to evict their people from the Mau forest.MPs Hassan Joho (Kisauni), Gedion Mung’aro (Malindi), Danson Mungatana, Kazungu Kambi (Kaloleni), Gonzi Rai (Kinango), Dan Mwazo (Voi) and Benedict Fondo (Bahari), are leading the protest and are expected to present their demands to Kibaki when he visits Mombasa starting Tuesday.Although a section of critics are branding the MPs tribalists, the legislators have vowed to press on with their demands under the Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) forum.They are said to have drawn up a list of people from the Coast whom they believe are qualified for the job, to be presented to both Kibaki and Raila.
Vice chairman of the CPG, Gedion Mung’aro who is also the Malindi MP, says the issue "is not negotiable and that the President must appoint a Coastal to the position.""We are the ones who passed a vote of no confidence on (former MD Abdallah) Mwarua because we do not support failures. We also know that the Coast region has competent people who can fill that position and that is why the issue is no longer negotiable.
It’s a demand that must be met," he says.Mung’aro, an ODM MP, says Coast Province has many qualified people to fill the position at the port and other key positions in Government."We are not tribalists like some people have branded us. We have let outsiders work at the helm of the port before. We are telling the Prime Minister that the same decentralisation dream he has for this country is what we stand for," he said.Wrong perceptionWhile in Mombasa, Kibaki is expected to open the region’s Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) show.He will also meet area MPs as a follow-up to an earlier meeting held at his Harambee House office, Nairobi, earlier this month where issues on land, education and appointment of people from the Coast to key Government positions were discussed.
A visit by Raila to restore order at the port about two weeks ago appears to have stoked the fires of regionalism following the sacking of Mwarua.The legislators, including those allied to ODM, appear to have been ruffled by Raila’s remarks during a homecoming party for Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe that the appointment be based on merit and not restricted to Coast Province. The Prime Minister said the port belongs to all Kenyans and its top management can be drawn from any part of the country.Although Mwarua’s sacking was welcomed by local MPs, the choice for a successor has become a dicey issue with legislators from the region, including Transport minister Chirau Mwakwere, snubbing Raila’s port tour.
Former KPA bosses perceived to have come from ‘outside the region’ include Mr Brown Ondego who steered the port for six years, Mr Joseph Munene who served for three months and Mr Philip Okundi who worked for nine years.But Cabinet minister Amason Kingi, a close Raila ally, says there is need for Coast MPs to seek a win-win solution. He says Coast MPs need to sit down with Raila, because there appears to be a wrong perception over his remarks and intentions."The Prime Minister’s position is that the Port of Mombasa be run by a competent person regardless of his origin and we are saying we want somebody from the region," he says."We can address the concerns of the Prime Minister on competence while at the same time ensuring that one of our own is at the helm of the Port," he adds.
Kingi says he has prevailed upon MPs to meet Raila over the matter, which he says is sending wrong signals to the grassroots.Scholars from the region say protests by the local leadership stem from historical injustices inflicted on Coast people by successive governments in managing national resources.
A Coast scholar, Prof Mohammed Hyder, says while its important for the MPs to fight for the interests of the Coastal people, they should not mix emotions with issues and compromise competence, especially in matters of management of national assets.He says, traditionally, all national assets based in various regions are managed by people from those areas but that this should not be used as an excuse to pick less qualified candidates."The Government should do more by training those in various industries to enable them rise to the occasion when they are needed to fill top positions," Hyder says.
Kisauni MP Hassan Joho, another ODM MP and a close ally of Raila, says its only fair for Coast MPs to protect the region’s interests."KPA is a national asset just like Mumias Sugar, Kenya Planters Co-corporation Union and the Lake Basin Authority. How many of those other parastatals are headed by Coast people?" posed Joho."We want more of our people in key positions in Government. This region has been marginalised for a long time and we won’t allow neo-colonialism," he adds.
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New tug of war at the Coast provides opportunity for national integration
By Abdillahi Alawy
Published on 17/08/2008
There is a silver lining to the latest altercation between Coast MPs and Prime Minister Raila Odinga. It is possible for this to be a win-win situation for both sides. Unfortunately, it is obvious the warring parties are not aware of the opportunities in their argument and are increasingly bent on politicising the issue.
Apparently, a segment of Coast MPs appear united against the PM’s recent directives, which have affected the Ministry of Transport. The MPs are complaining about what they see as Raila’s micro-managing of a ministry headed by a minister from the Coast. Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere has twice been a victim of the PM’s imposing vigour in highly visible national and international appearances.
The pro-Mwakwere MPs rightly complain Raila is purposely overshadowing the Matuga MP. They say the Premier has stolen Mwakwere’s limelight, from Washington DC to the slippery decks of the Kenya Ports Authority, a key institution that falls under Mwakwere’s docket. The open-air agreement between the US and Kenya, and the recent KPA saga are examples in point. In these events, Mwakwere diplomatically allowed the PM to patronise and subsequently steal the instant blitz. I witnessed it in Washington DC, and read the KPA incident.
Mwakwere has been Transport Minister longer than Raila has been PM. The PM’s oversight role is undefined, and he appears to be making all the important decisions under Mwakwere’s docket.
Additionally, an observation is due here that Raila’s involvement in the Lands Ministry is complimentary and supportive of the minister. But his constant intervention in the Transport Ministry looks more like interference than nurturance. The current debate centres, mainly, over whether or not the top KPA post should be reserved for someone from the Coast. Mwakwere’s cohorts are peddling the idea KPA should be led by a MijiKenda — not just anyone from the Coast.
Surprisingly, Garsen MP Danson Mungatana does not see all those who have previously held the KPA job were exclusively from the Mijikenda community.
Raila is right to state the KPA post should be a nationwide, competitive position. He is right in that Kenya should not have public positions reserved for a certain group. The MPs are also right to insist a MijiKenda should head KPA. But, more importantly, Mwakwere is right to complain of being pushed around by the PM. Mwakwere should be supported for refusing to be micromanaged or upstaged in his rightful roles.
Likewise, the Coast MPs are right in standing with their colleague, and highlighting a Coastal dilemma that should be solved, through a clear affirmative action.
Processes to elevate not only the MijiKenda, but the Coastal people and all Kenyans in general, should be put in place.
Otherwise, the question remains: Who are the Coastal people? Is it the cohort promoted by our MijiKenda elder for the lucrative public positions? Or is it all people born in the province? How about the Kambas of Shimba Hill and Kikuyus of Mpeketoni? Can marital connection qualify you to be coastal? What is the definition of a coastal? In the opinion of many, the train has not left, yet. And the coastal people can be redefined to include the rest of us Kenyans. Where is national reconciliation if we cannot define ourselves after so many opportunities from the post-election violence? Our leadership should not be bent on minor differentiations but must focus on our major similarities.
—aalawy@gmail.com
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Coast MPs blame Raila over sacking of port’s boss
By Philip Mbaji and Patrick Beja
Published on 11/08/2008
The sacking of Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) MD Abdallah Mwaruwa last week, has opened a battle between Prime Minister Raila Odinga and MPs from Coast Province.The Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) now thinks Mwaruwa’s sacking amounts to Raila’s meddling with the Transport Ministry headed by Mr Ali Chirau Mwakwere.The MPs told Raila to stop interfering with Mwakwere’s docket.
Led by Assistant Ministers Danson Mungatana (Medical Services) and Gonzi Rai of Lands, the members claimed Raila was being misguided by a local leader to undermine Mwakwere.
Speaking during a funds-drive for Moi Kadzonzo Girls Secondary in Kaloleni, the leaders accused Raila of "stealing the show" at the Transport Ministry.
Frustrations
Kaloleni MP Kazungu Kambi said Raila and Mvita MP Najib Balala were frustrating Mwakwere’s efforts. "It is unfortunate that major announcements at the Ministry of Transport have become the preserve of the PM yet Mwakwere is still in charge," Mungatana protested.MPs Hassan Joho (Kisauni) and Gideon Mung’aro (Malindi) called for the unconditional confirmation of Mr James Mulewa as KPA managing director to replace Mwaruwa.
Joho and Kambi called on Balala, who is Tourism Minister, to ensure that the proposed Utalii College campus at the Coast became a reality. The leaders also urged Deputy Prime Minister and Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi to revise his least of nominated councillors, alleging that some were not from the region.
Raila responds
But Raila said KPA was a national asset and must be headed by a competent team regardless of the region they came from.Addressing a thanksgiving party for Changamwe MP Ramadhan Kajembe at Amani Primary School on Sunday, Raila asked MPs from Coast Province to stop politicising the running of KPA.
"Mombasa Port is a State Corporation and national asset belonging to all Kenyans and the petty politics about it must come to an end," Raila said. He said recent changes of management at KPA followed serious operational problems, which made the country and the East African regional economies to suffer.Raila said he would tour the port today and assess congestion and other problems which have affected operations.
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Squatters invade airport land, endanger flights
By Ben Agina And Isaac Ongiri
Published on 11/08/2008
Squatters have invaded corridors that aircraft use to approach the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
Illegal structures are mushrooming on the land set aside for security, as a new estate, Kiangombe, comes up.
The land, measuring about 1,000 hectares, is a corridor for minor and major aircraft landing at the airport, flying at an altitude as low as 180ft above the ground.
When The Standard visited Kiangombe, construction was going on in earnest. Some of the squatters are suspected to be proxies of land speculators. Without questioning by GSU officers on guard, we walked for two hours freely in the huge land, which is supposed to be under 24-hour police surveillance.
As we walked, low-flying planes criss-crossed the sky, indicating the danger the residents exposed themselves to.
The barriers at the main entrance from Mombasa road have been dismantled and stolen by suspected residents of Kiangombe.
Signboards indicating ‘No stopping, no idling’ for motorists on the main road have also been removed.
Permanent and temporary structures were being built, with ‘landlords’ putting up residential and commercial structures.
"It is an idle land that is why the landless are getting themselves a piece. We are also Kenyans and must get somewhere to call home," one landlord told The Standard.
Illegal allocation
It is suspected that individuals in the aviation industry and Government were involved in the illegal allocation of plots that has seen several acres of the protected land hived off.
Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said he had noticed with disbelief the open grabbing of airport land by Kiangombe residents.
"We cannot let this happen. We are organising with the Ministry of Land to evict the encroachers," he said.
Mwakwere warned those putting up structures on the land that they were wasting time and money, as they would be thrown out.
He also warned those involved in the allocations that they would face the law.
"There is no free land for allocations inside that plot. Anyone trying to push himself there, or collecting money from the public to allocate them land there, is wasting time," the minister said.
A security officer at the site said a terrorist using an AK47 rifle could easily bring down a plane flying at 300 ft above the air path.
The officer, however, said it was difficult for the police to evict the residents because nobody had complained.
"Yes, we have seen people building homes and shops here, but it is difficult to take any action because the Kenya Airports Authority has not complained," a policeman said. Attempts to reach the Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director George Muhoho were fruitless as his phone went unanswered.
In 2002, an Israeli plane escaped missile attacks hurled by suspected terrorists as it took off from the Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
Police later recovered an abandoned shoulder-fired missile-launcher in the neighbourhood.
Encroachment of the airport land could jeopardise the recently signed open skies agreement between Kenya and the US.
The agreement opened opportunities for the two countries to fly directly into Kenya or the US.
India’s financial capital, Mumbai, has been battling to evict a million slum dwellers who forced themselves into airport land adjacent to Bombay International Airport. The situation has jeopardised direct flights into the city.
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MP: Kenya Railways sale bigger scandal than Goldenberg
Published on 06/08/2008
Allegations of an incapacitated company irregularly registered to take over the operations of Kenya Railways forced Prime Minister Raila Odinga to step in with an assurance. Ababu Namwamba (Bundalang’i, ODM) stoked the embers when he raised the issue of a company he claimed was put in place to concession Kenya Railways under the guise of enhancing efficiency. The MP claimed that the company, Rift Valley Railways (RVR), entered into a 25-year concession agreement with Kenya Railways with only Sh100,000 share capital.
Raila said he had convened a meeting with Ugandan and RVR officers today over the matter.
The Government will then give a comprehensive statement after two weeks.
Namwamba tabled documents giving particulars of directors and the process that brought RVR into existence to authenticate his claims.
"RVR is linked to high-ranking officials, one of whom sits at the State law Office, where he influenced irregular registration of this company," claimed Namwamba.
But Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said everything was above board.
internal disputes
He said the ruling was about internal disputes of shareholders and should not be used as a benchmark.
Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale put the minister to task on why RVR was allowed to take over KR before paying the precondition fee of $3 million. Mwakwere said the money was paid 45 days after commencement of operations.
Charles Kilonzo (Yatta, ODM-K) stirred tempers when he said the 29 members sitting in the concessionaire’s board were from one community. "It pains to see what has happened to KR. RVR has been given to one community. When is the Government going to repossess the railway?" he asked.
However, Sports Assistant Minister Kabando wa Kabando and MP Mithika Linturi said it was unfair to link individuals with a community.
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POINTBLANK:
Don’t blame Mwakwere
Published on 01/08/2008
"I have never seen any tout using force or threats to ensure passengers board an overloaded matatu. So, how do you blame Mr Mwakwere when you have willingly boarded a vehicle where you have to "kaa square" (squeeze yourself in)? he asks.
We have created this mess together, he says, and the sooner we all work towards resolving it, the better.
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