Cabinet Meeting - 17/08/10

All cabinet ministers who campaigned against the new constitution have been excluded from a 16-member cabinet committee that will spearhead the implementation of the new constitution. Despite earlier pronouncements that the government would adopt a bi-partisan approach in the implementation of the new constitution, the cabinet constituted the implementation committee whose major highlight was the absence of the 'no' campaigners. The committee will be chaired by President Kibaki with Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka being members. Francis Gachuri has that story.

DETAILS FROM PPS

CABINET MEDIA BRIEF 17TH AUGUST 2010


The Cabinet has today commended the Kenyan people for the peaceful manner in which they conducted themselves during the national referendum on the Proposed Constitution. The Cabinet pointed out that the Kenyan people had clearly demonstrated their resolve to support the reform process through a new constitutional dispensation.

Members also commended His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Hon.Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka for leading the campaigns that led to adoption of the constitution.

Meeting under the Chairmanship of President Kibaki at State House, Nairobi the Cabinet noted that with the successful conclusion of the Constitution review process it was now time to focus on the implementation of the New Constitution.

In this connection Cabinet discussed and adopted the proposed action plan on implementation of the new constitution. In approving the plan Cabinet agreed that the implementation dates set out in the constitution should be strictly honoured and adhered to.

In this regard Cabinet constituted a Cabinet Committee on implementation of the Constitution. Members of the Committee are;

1. His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki

2. Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga

3. Hon. Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka

4. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta

5. Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Musalia Mudavadi

6. Minister Hon Mutula Kilonzo

7. Minister Hon. Sally Kosgei

8. Minister Hon. Beth Mugo

9. Minister Hon. Kiraitu Murungi

10. Minister Hon. Professor Anyang Nyongo

11. Minister Hon. Esther Murugi

12. Minister Hon. Charity Ngilu

13. Minister Hon. James Orengo

14. Minister Hon. Professor George Saitoti

15. Minister Hon. Moses Wetangula

16. The Attorney General Hon. Amos Wako

It was resolved that the lead ministries charged with initiating of the bills should commence work immediately.

A technical committee was also established to review the budget implications and to facilitate approval by the relevant committee of the Cabinet. The committee shall consist of;

1. Head of Civil Service, Secretary to the Cabinet and P.S. in the Office of the President.

2. P.S., office of the Prime Minister.

3. P.S., Ministry of Finance

4. P.S. Ministry of Justice.

5. Solicitor General, Office of the Attorney General.

Today’s Cabinet meeting also approved a major New Planned Power Generation Capacity Program. The Program that will commence this year includes,

1. 21 MWs Songoro Hydropower project.

2. 10 MWs Tana Hydropower Project.

3. 5 MWs Ngong Windpower project

4. 80 MWs Early Geothermal power project

5. 25 MWs Kindaruma upgrade project

6. 280 MWs Olkaria 1 and 4

In this regard Cabinet approved to forward for Parliamentary approval the establishment of an escrow guarantee fund for semi-concessional loans for external borrowing by KENGEN and Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (KETRACO) from EIB and KFW to finance the additional power generation of 421 MWs.

Cabinet also approved for submission to parliament semi-concessional borrowing for KPLC. The projects under consideration are;

1. The construction of a Double Circuit 220 KV line from Lessos to Kisumu

2. The borrowing of a semi-concessional loan from NORDEA Bank of Finland for construction of the Juja Load substation.

The New Planned Power Generation Capacity Program is expected to help meet the growing demand for electric power across the country.


PPS
17th AUGUST 2010