Narc-Kenya wants Kibaki, Raila to downsize Cabinet ministers to 22

By Munene Kamau and David Ochami



President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga should reduce the Cabinet to 22 and swear in only corrupt free ministers after promulgation of the new Constitution on August 27, NARC-Kenya chair Martha Karua has said.

Ms Karua said Kibaki and Raila should not subvert Chapter 6 of the new law by reappointing corrupt ministers and officials into public office.

"I am urging the two principals to seize the opportunity and get rid of all corrupt individuals in the coalition Government, so that we can move on afresh," said the Gichugu MP at the centenary celebrations for the Anglican Church in Kabare, Kirinyaga.


Narc-Kenya Vice-Chair Danson Mungatana (right), Deputy Organising Secretary James Wambua (centre) and Mr Mike Mbuvi Kioko, party member, said at a press conference in Nairobi, Monday, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission should be retained even after the new Constitution is implemented. PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD]

Karua said those engaged in corrupt practices should realise it would not be business as usual after the promulgation of the new Constitution.

And in Nairobi, Secretary-General Danson Mungatana said the implementation of the new Constitution provides an opportunity to instil credibility in public service and reward Interim Independent Electoral Commission over the good conduct during the referendum.

Pending cases

"If new ministers are going to be sworn in the new Cabinet that is to be sworn in should be people full of integrity," said Mr Mungatana.

He said the Cabinet should not include "those with pending cases in court for suspicion in corruption".

Mungatana said the National Accord should not be an excuse to retain the current Cabinet of 42 ministers and more than 50 assistant ministers.

"The requirement under the new Constitution is that we should have (a maximum of) 22 ministers. The principals should think whether we should have 40 ministers.

Splendid job

Said he: "The spirit of implementation should begin with appointment of a 22-member Cabinet."

Mungatana said the party wants IIEC to be converted into the proposed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission owing to what he described as its "splendid job" at the August 4 referendum.

However, he said electoral process would be in jeopardy if IIEC is dismissed and not allowed to complete "several on going projects including computerisation of the voting process."

Mungatana alleged, "These projects cannot stop and wait for some people to learn the ropes."

The electoral commission has been credited by a cross-section of Kenyans for handling its mandate without fear or favour.

The commission has handled the Shinyalu, South Mugirango and Matuga by-elections, including numereous civic elections that have been so far considered to be free and fair.