Muslims seek inclusion in Cabinet law action team

Adan Wachu, Secretary General, Supreme Council of Muslims

By LUCAS BARASA
Posted Saturday, August 21 2010 at 15:15

Muslims have joined calls for inclusion of their representatives in a Cabinet committee that will supervise the implementation of the new Constitution.

Supreme Council of Kenya secretary general Adan Wachu says the community feels discriminated against following failure by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to include a minister of Muslim faith in the committee.

The team was formed during a Cabinet meeting last week and is headed by President Kibaki and Mr Odinga. Other members are Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi and ministers Mutula Kilonzo, Sally Kosgei and Beth Mugo.

Others are Mr Kiraitu Murungi, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Ms Esther Murugi, Mrs Charity Ngilu, Mr James Orengo, Prof George Saitoti, Mr Moses Wetang’ula and Attorney- General Amos Wako.

Speaking to the Nation by phone, Mr Wachu said at least one of the Muslim ministers should have been included in the team to ensure their interests including the kadhis courts were addressed.

"Now who will spearhead our issues in the team. Our members are calling us asking what went wrong. Muslims overwhelmingly voted for the new constitution and form a good percentage of Kenyan population which warrants their inclusion in decision making organs," Mr Wachu asked.

He said the implementation of new constitution as a crucial process that requires inclusion of all Kenyans.

Mr Wachu also took issue with recent confirmation of a new Kenya Ports Authority managing director saying it did not reflect Coast community interests.

On Thursday, members of the Coast Parliamentary Group also protested at the failure to include ministers from their region in the committee to oversee implementation the new Constitution.

They said the team’s composition undermined the principle of equal representation enshrined in the new laws.

There are four ministers in the Cabinet from the Coast region: Mr Najib Balala (Tourism), Dr Naomi Shaban (Gender), Mr Amason Kingi (Fisheries) and Mr Chirau Mwakwere (Trade).

“We remind the President and the Prime Minister that Coast Province delivered 70 per cent for the ‘Yes’ vote for the new Constitution. We have said very clearly that regional and ethnic balancing should be everywhere,” said Mr Danson Mungatana (Garsen, PNU).

Mr Balala was admitted to Nairobi Hospital at the time of Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, after which the 16-member team was named.

Dr Shaban is among ministers who campaigned against the new Constitution and who were subsequently left out of the Cabinet team.

Mr Mwakwere recently made his return to the Cabinet after his re-election and, with Mr Kingi, also campaigned for the ratification of the Constitution.