Date: Wed, 9 Apr 2008 23:07:14 -0700 (PDT)
From: odhiambo okecth
The current impasse between PNU and ODM on portfolio balance can best be looked at from the PNU point of view, what portfolio balance means to them even in their current government.
We must start by acknowledging that PNU got 43 seats only. They hence conned KANU, the desperate ODM-K and other small parties to join them in the power greed against ODM who had 106 MPs.
With the support of the two desperate parties, they called the police to the roads, and had Kibaki sworn in at dusk as the president of Kenya. Thereafter, Kibaki formed what they called half cabinet of 17 people.
In the half cabinet, which is supposed to serve the interest of all Kenyans, Kibaki took for himself the 7 big ministries that matter. In the edition of Showdown, a popular talk show at NTV, Hon James Orengo brought this out more candidly.
Even in PNU government, Portfolio balance is skewed in favour of Kibaki and Central Province. Kenyans, even those in PNU government must now also call the Kibaki bluff.
Look at this portfolio balance;
1] President of Kenya; Mwai Kibaki from Central Province
2] Minister for Finance; Amos Kimunya from Central Province
3] Minister for Internal Security; George Saitoti from Central Province
4] Minister for Justice; Martha Karua from Central Province
5] Minister for Local Government; Uhuru Kenyatta from Central Province
6] Minister for Energy; Kiraitu Murungi from Central Province
7] Minister for Roads and Public Works; John Michuki from Central Province
In a cabinet of 17 people, the rest must be having some impairment that clouds their systems into reality. Why can the people in PNU also call for portfolio balance in their half cabinet?
Then, we must also look at other arms of that PNU half government and confirm if it is balanced;
1] Head of Public Service and Secretary to the cabinet; Francis Muthaura from Central Province.
2] PS Internal Security; Cyrus Gituai from Central Province
3] PS Defence; James Mwaura from Central Province
4] PS Energy; James Nyoike from Central Province
5] PS Education; Karega Mutahi from Central Province
6] PS Finance; Joseph Kinyua from Central Province
7] PS Roads and Public Works; Mwaura from Central Province
8] Chief Justice; Evans Gicheru from Central Province
9] Director KACC; Aaron Ringera from Central Province
10] Chief Whip; George Thuo from Central Province
11] PPO Nairobi; Njagi Njue from Cental Province
12] Governor Central Bank; Njoroge Ndungu from Central Province
13] Cardinal; John Njue from Central Province etc etc
This is what PNU knows as sharing power with other Kenyans.
Even in PNU itself, where is the love for the rest of Kenya in distribution of power.
This is all the more reason ODM must insist that a new government is formed, with clear distribution of power to all the regions. It is not enough just being in cabinet being a minister for Nairobi Metropolitan and Citi Hoppa Services.
Odhiambo T Oketch
Koamrock Nairobi
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Subject: Portfolio balance PNU style
Portfolio Imbalance
What a disappointment with the coalition government! There is portfolio imbalance both to Kenyans in general and ODM in particular.The country was hoping for a new start but what I have seen is kazi iendelee. I was not expecting PNU and its affiliates to change governance, but I had hopes on ODM to bring the needed change. I was mistaken. ODM has swallowed the poison of power and has started dancing in PNU’s tune in the name of peace and reconciliation.
Kenyans had expressed their displeasure with a bloated cabinet of more than 25 ministries. Both Kibaki and Raila promised a lean effective cabinet during the campaigns but to my surprise, both have endorsed a cabinet and assistants of 30% of the total number of MPs. That is 10% more than the reasonable number for a poor country as Kenya. In spite of the estimated cost of the extra ministers and their assistants, Raila still went a head and accepted the deal. This money would have been enough to build at least a sub-district hospital in any of the needy districts in Kenya- which is all of the districts. Why did Raila accept the deal? Time will tell- but I cannot think of any reason other than parochialism.
The ministerial positions are still lopsided with ODM getting only the local government position. I am more disappointed with ODM than with PNU. ODM had placed reform agenda higher than PNU and majority of Kenyans had supported them on this. Why does ODM want to dent their reputation in preparation for 2012 that PNU/KANU are preparing for?
I’ll have to wait and see the outcome of this government structure. The truth is Jomo Kenyatta generated governance ideas that were practiced to the letter by Dainiel Moi and willingly endorsed by Mwai Kibaki are being institutionalized by the PNU/ODM coalition. Something ODM vehemently campaigned against. What a disappointment!
Okumu Kaluoch
Allmerus r from eastern provincee, not central, talk of Kikuyus as from central only but we have no apologies to make; we were hated by all tribes but we have shared something with u. Surely God loves Kikuyus otherwise with all tribes against u and u manage this far; it is a real achievemtnt. I have realised how powerful we r.
Ken
I want to start by expressing my state of disappointment to the entire ODM fraternity. I have been supporting Mr Odinga and I can rememeber I once promised to support him for life. But now I want to say that I have to take a break. Mr Odinga has disappointed not only me but many of his supporters by accepting to fooled arouond by the so called Mr Kibaki and the mnt Kenya Mafias. Mr Odinga by accepting unbalanced potfolio power sharing has left his supporters in a state of dismay. I have never thought that Mr Odinga is also interested in power I believed just the other day. I think, unless otherwise, am not going to support him any more. I have to change my political stand. Look at the size of the cabinet. If Mr odinga deafeted Kibaki in a broad day light, and even the international community, has said it, why was mr odinga in such a rush to accept such a deal?? Nyikwa ramogi, aol nono.
so u wanted the cardinal to come from ODM; you can as well propose Tuju to be the chief-whip….odhiambo ur becoming irrelevant
Time will tell whether ODM was hoodwinked in the so called portfolio balance. In my view, it is only the Finance ministry that is important, when we consider the PNU take.
Let us not be fooled, ministries are important if the citizenry feel they get well served as a result – SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE. Leave prejudice aside and seriously look at ODM ministries. In the end, if the ministers perfom well, the people shall have value for money and ODM name shall be more popular. Foreign Affairs, Energy, Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Defence and Internal Security are ministries that are not closer to the people, in fact most of them are for oppression.
Watch this space!