Monday, September 6, 2010

Cabinet divided over Bashir visit to country

By STEPHEN MAKABILA

Contrasting statements by ministers on whether the Cabinet was briefed on indicted Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir’s August 4 visit to the country has alarmed political scientists.

However, some of the political experts are as divided as the Cabinet itself, on whether or not all in the Grand Coalition Government (both from the ODM and PNU sides) had prior knowledge of Bashir’s visit.

The only point of convergence amongst them, and which is the genesis of their alarm, is that a ‘divided cabinet’ is not healthy for the country, especially given the need for unity in implementing the recently promulgated Constitution.

Their general feelings are that party differences should not permeate the Cabinet, which should be serving national, and not party interests.


Sudan President Hassan Omar al-Bashir arrives at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, escorted by Tourism minister Najib Balala to witness the promulgation of the new Constitution. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD]

 
United States International University’s Professor of History and International Relations, Munene Macharia, argued the Cabinet must have been aware of the visit.

"It is becoming an accepted norm that ministers perpetuate lies and call each other names in public and this is shameful," said Macharia.

accept reality

However, Adams Oloo of the University of Nairobi’s Political Science Department said chances are the Cabinet never discussed the Bashir visit.

Dr Oloo’s stand is supported by Moi University lecturer Masibo Lumala, who argued while some ministers in the Cabinet must have been aware, some may have been in the dark.

Dr Charles Otieno, the Director of the Institute of Policy and Quality, argues it is a Head of State who invites his peers through the facilitation of the Foreign Office and that the Cabinet should be left out of the Bashir saga.

Higher Education Minister William Ruto over the weekend claimed the Cabinet was informed of Bashir’s invitation to the promulgation of the new Constitution.

Mr Ruto said if Bashir’s invitation was a mistake, then the Government should own up to it.

"This is not time to look for scapegoats and excuses, it is time we pull up our socks, roll our sleeves and build a new Kenya," noted the Eldoret North MP.

Ruto took issue with some Cabinet members whom he accused of trying to shield the country by claiming it did not invite Bashir to the ceremony.

"We should not do things and regret later. We should only accept the reality and forge ahead," Ruto had noted during a function in his Eldoret base.

Kept secret

ODM Secretary-General Anyang’ Nyong’o alongside Lands Minister James Orengo had after Bashir’s visit called a news conference to protest

over the invitation, claiming their party was kept in the dark despite an ODM m

inister, Najib Balala, having welcomed the Sudanese leader.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga also later criticised the Bashir visit, saying the invitation and his coming had spoiled the Kenyan party.

There are those who feel Orengo and Nyong’o’s accusation of President Kibaki and PNU over Bashir’s visit is counterproductive to the PM’s broader political objectives.

"Orengo and Nyong’o should never have opened their mouths to cast aspersions. It was a blunder that left them and ODM with a lot of egg on the face. Nobody is making excuses for Bashir, but it is not for ODM to arrest him or push for his arrest," said a source within ODM.

dismissed claims

However, Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ has equally joined his ODM colleagues by dismissing claims the Bashir invitation was approved by the Cabinet as alleged by Ruto.

"The briefing we had was about the invitation of Salva Kiir. I was thus surprised by the announcement of the arrival of Bashir," Mr Kajwang’ told the Press at the weekend.

And the Government Joint Chief Whip Jakoyo Midiwo was over the weekend equally quoted saying, "It is not Kenya’s business to arrest Bashir. We do not even have that capacity. But why invite him? It was unnecessary. We cannot hide crime and criminals behind religion."

In Parliament last Tuesday, the debate had degenerated into an ODM-PNU ping-pong, devoid of the original argument over Bashir’s defiance of ICC indictment.

turn of events

"I was shocked by the fast turn of events. At the weekend, we were the majority (anti-Bashir voices) in Parliament. By Tuesday, we were a minority after ODM made it look like a political duel with PNU," Defence Assistant Minister and Mwingi South MP David Musila said.

On Monday, Prof Macharia said the statement by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula in Parliament was comprehensive, and that there is no doubt the entire Cabinet was aware of Bashir’visit.

"The problem with the Grand Coalition Government is that leaders from the two coalition partners play politics with everything, even with a serious issue like Bashir’s visit," added Macharia.

However, Oloo argued Ruto’s claims of Cabinet approval may be part of his political onslaught against the PM.

"I do not see the Cabinet having approved the visit and Ruto’s claims may be an extension of his political fight against the PM because it is obvious they do not rhyme politically despite belonging to the same party," added Oloo.

Oloo also claimed there is a scheme by some powerful forces around President Kibaki, who are not happy with his close working relationship with the PM, and who may be out to use the Bashir saga to drive a wedge between the two.

In supporting Oloo’s reasoning, Dr Masibo said it was unlikely the PM could have feigned ignorance on something that was discussed in the Cabinet.

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