Kebs' appointment row puts Raila in a dilemma

By Kipchumba Some

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was last week caught in a catch-22 situation over the controversy that has greeted the appointment of new Managing Director of the Kenya Bureau of Standards Joseph Kipketer Koskey.

Raila faces the choice of humiliating Industrialisation Minister Henry Kosgey — a key political ally — by revoking his appointment of Koskey.

On the other hand, the PM, having campaigned on the platform of observance to the rule of law, is also being watched by Civil Society to see whether he will remain faithful to his promise to obey the law.

The tricky nature of the situation is perhaps the reason the PM has not made his position on the matter public.

Earlier in the week, he summoned Kosgey for consultation over the matter, but an official statement was never issued.

The PM’s spokesman, Dennis Onyango, did not answer our calls or answer messages we sent to his mobile phone. But speaking separately, Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua said the PM does not want the issue to be played out in the Press.

The minister’s appointment of Koskey has been termed illegal and tribal. The Tinderet MP is accused disregarding a shortlist of top three candidates handed to him by the Kebs board.

Previous appointments

However, Kosgey’s is only the latest in a string of appointments that have been contested. Previous appointments by Medical Services Minister Anyang’ Nyong’o, Trade Minister Amos Kimunya, Transport Minister Chirau Mwakwere and President Kibaki have been questioned.

On his part, Raila is faced with accusations of favouritism over the appointment of his sister, Wenwa Akinyi, to Kenya’s consulate in Los Angeles.

Kosgey is the ODM chairman and one of Raila’s key allies among the Kalenjin. He was one of the first Kalenjin leaders to endorse Raila’s presidential candidacy in 2007 and went ahead to vigorously campaign for him.

He has stuck with Raila even as a section of MPs, led by Higher Education Minister William Ruto have waged a rebellion against him over a number of issues, including the conservation of the Mau forest, arrest of youth in connection with the post-election violence and recently the new Constitution.

Should Raila stick with Kosgey, it will reinforce perception that the Grand Coalition Government is condoning tribalism and cronyism in public employment, an issue that Raila and President Kibaki have repeatedly vowed to fight against.

A lot rides on the position the PM will eventually take, especially after launching efforts to woo back the Kalenjin electorate.

“If Kosgey loses the battle and if there is a perception that the PM did not do enough to shield him, then there is likely to be more backlash against him in Rift Valley,” said Kutuny.