Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Plot to lock out 'No' MPs from law team as Ruto downplays move

By Martin Mutua and Alex Ndegwa

A day after ‘No’ ministers were locked out of a Cabinet team on the new laws, plans are afoot to block ‘Reds’ MPs from a similar group.

The plot will see MPs who campaigned against the new Constitution locked out of the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC).

Although Higher Education Minister William Ruto has downplayed their exclusion, saying it does not bother him, ministers from Coast and North Eastern provinces are said to be unhappy for being excluded.

Yesterday, lobbying for membership of the CIOC intensified even as it became apparent ministers who opposed the new laws could be dealt another blow.


Higher Education Minister William Ruto (left) and Kenya Association of Technical Training Institutes Chairman Jefferson Kariuki during a conference in Mombasa, yesterday. [PHOTO: MAARUFU MOHAMED/STANDARD]


An ODM minister close to Prime Minister Raila Odinga gave the clearest indication yet that MPs who campaigned against the new law could be given a wide berth in the crucial committee.

The minister, who preferred not to be named, told The Standard it was not possible for those who opposed the new laws to be included in the committee.

"If it is an issue of communities in the Rift valley, there are other members from the same region who were in the ‘Yes’ team and they will certainly be included in the committee," said the minister.

On Tuesday, Ruto, Samuel Poghisio (Information) and Naomi Shaban (Gender) were left out of the Cabinet sub-committee.

It also emerged Coast and North Eastern MPs are infuriated at their being sidelined from the Cabinet team expected to closely monitor progress in preparation of Bills to implement the new Constitution.

The discontent is likely to spill over to the formation of the CIOC where the region’s MPs are expected to demand a fair share after delivering the ‘Yes’ vote.

The tussle for slots could also turn into a contest between ministers and backbenchers.

Institutional memory

"We want the same team maintained for continuity. Not a committee packed with ministers," said Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni.

Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo said he had preferred former 27 PSC members to take the new positions for "institutional memory". But the minister downplayed potential conflict between ministers and backbenchers.

Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed and Budalang’i MP Ababu Namwamba have been picked as the chair and deputy.

A member of the House Business committee said on Tuesday, the HBC did not deliberate on the matter and it would do so after the new Constitution is promulgated on August 27.

Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama has called for the sacking of Ruto, Poghisio, and Shaban.

ODM’s Government Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo has said the MPs who opposed the new document will be included in the committee.

Midiwo and his PNU counterpart Johnstone Muthama are expected to compile the list of the members.

They are then expected to forward the list to the House Business Committee for approval before being tabled in the House by the Leader of Government Business and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka for debate.

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