Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 07:39:54 -0700 (PDT)
From: “Bishop Dr. Washington Ogonyo Ngede”

April 9, 2008

Kenyans have waited for enough time for the grand coalition cabinet to be availed and it must be clear to both PNU and ODM leadership that the Kenyan people are loosing their patience over the new cabinet at rapid rate.

As religious leaders, we must remind President Kibaki that he has duty to avert any similar situation that the country went through three months ago and this must only be realized when he (the President) becomes sincere to the ODM team by equally sharing the cabinet portfolios as they agreed.

The Nyanza Council of church leaders therefore petition President Kibaki to, without any further delay, dissolve his cabinet and constitute anew one that must be agreed upon by the ODM team led by Prime-Minister designate Raila Odinga.

By subjecting the current political mood in the country to consulting his ministers and allies, Kenyans cannot be mistaken for blaming Kibaki himself to be the cause of the stalemate over the cabinet.

We must point it out that it has never worked that a President asks individuals ‘if they want to be ministers and which ministries they want to be placed’. This is why we call upon Kibaki to realize the seriousness this issue needs by shunning those who surround him hence causing confusion on the agreements he has reached with Hon. Raila Odinga Prime Minister Designate.

If Kenyans were to trust the sincerity of the PNU team and President Kibaki over the agreement they signed with Hon. Raila Odinga before international mediators led by H.E Koffi Annan, then the cabinet ought to have been dissolved immediately the agreement was signed end of February.

Worse still, the President has again failed to do away with his cabinet even after Parliament made amendment in the constitution which paved way for the creation of the Prime Minister’s position in the country.

The country is also made to understand that ODM has made a lot of sacrifices in pursuit of peace in Kenya and this has actually made its leader Hon Raila Odinga to stoop too low in abid to ensuring that the power sharing agreement signed was achieved for the interest of the common and majority Kenyans.

Now our serious appeal to the President is: If he is fully committed to save Kenya from chaos and turmoil then he must dissolve his cabinet now and not later and then call Hon Raila Odinga the Prime minister designate to form a New Government of 28 ministers.

We as a council of church leaders still maintain that Kenya deserves a lean cabinet 28 ministers. Should there be need to go past 28, then it must not pass 34 members of the cabinet as our country faces a lot of economic problems and therefore a bloated cabinet will have adverse effect to the already burden Kenyan tax-payers. A full power sharing can not be without Hon Raila Odinga be in the distribution and appointing of Parastatals and permanent secretaries and other government appointees and Ambassadors

In conclusion, we must again reiterate to President Kibaki that the political environment in the country is still not good and the current tension and anxiety mounting over the need of equally and equitably shared cabinet was only worsening the matter. This calls for urgent attention by the President to save Kenya from anxiety.

God bless Kenya.

Signed by the following: –

Bishop Dr Washington Ogonyo Ngede,

Chairman, Nyanza Council of Church leaders, and Power of Jesus Around the World Church.

Arch Bishop Dr. Matthew Ajuoga – Church of Christ in Africa

Arch Bishop Silas Owiti – Voice of Salvation and Healing Church

Bishop Francis Mwai Abiero – Anglican Church Maseno South Diocese

Bishop Joshua Koyo – Chairman N.C.C.K Nyanza Branch

Arch Bishop Julius Otieno – Living Water Church

Bishop Zephaniah Ouma Orao – New Wine Church

Bishop Mark Kegohi – Redeemed Gospel Church.

Bishop Felix Ochieng Oruwa – C.C.M.I. Church.

Rev. Reuben Dali – Salvation Army

Bishop Hesbon Omwandho Njera – St. Meshack Church

Rev. Richard Odongo – P.A.G Nyanza

Bishop George Obul – Genesis Church

Bishop Hannington Okoth Olambo – Miracle and Wonders Church.

Bishop Lister Okinda – Word of Life Church.

Bishop Jasper Ogello – Gospel Fellowship Ministry

Bishop Jason Gor Mirambe – Children of God Church

Bishop Barrack Agalo – Great Commission Ministry

Rev. Benjamin Ochieng – Disciple of Mercies

Bishop Eliakim Mbata – Water of Life Church.

Rev. William Osen – Kisumu Covenant Church.

Bishop John Onyango Ober – Church of God and Prophecy.

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Subject: PRESS RELEASE FROM NYANZA COUNCIL OF CHURCH LEADERS OVER THE CABINET ANXIETY IN THE COUNTRY.