PNU mum as ODM insists Kibaki was misadvised

By Martin Mutua and David OchamiMembers of Parliament have responded to President Kibaki’s announcement on the controversial nominations with mixed reactions.
Orange Democratic Movement party MPs reacted with enthusiasm to the President’s change of heart as Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo praised the move.
But MPs allied to Kibaki were less willing to discuss the matter as they streamed from Parliament. Most of them declined to comment. The PNU leaders had earlier retreated from threats to impeach House Speaker Kenneth Marende after it emerged the President’s stand was softening.
The President’s withdrawal of the controversial list made most MPs leave Parliament leading to lack of quorum, hence early adjournment.
Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said the new development was a pointer Kibaki was under captive of wrong legal advisers.
"This was an ego problem and should never be allowed to recur in future," he added.
Mudavadi said it was wrong for the President and his advisers to have kept the country in the situation they did for the past two weeks.
"We wasted valuable time squabbling over nothing because of the ego of some people," added Mudavadi.
Vested interests
Justice and Legal Affairs Committee chairman Ababu Namwamba said he hoped Kibaki’s action is neither "a strategic retreat nor a political game".
Nominated MP Musa Sirma said Kibaki has accepted "he made a mistake" engineered by advisers with vested interests.
Earlier in Parliament, Mumias MP Benjamin Washiali brought to the Speaker’s attention that most MPs allied to Kibaki and suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto were not in the House after they all left to meet the President as he prepared to announce his change of heart.
Said Washiali: "I have noted with a lot of concern that certain members from a particular region are not here. Is that in order?"
Mutula described Kibaki’s change of mind as "a wonderful moment" that will calm political tensions.
"This is the sort of thing beautiful dreams are made of," said Mutula, adding that in future the President and other officials should never ignore proper legal advice.
Mutula said the disputed posts now ought to be filled in a transparent manner that engenders popular participation.
Whereas Mudavadi accused Kibaki’s advisers of causing him embarrassment, Namwamba argued that the President’s intentions ought to be judged from what follows the announcement.
‘He Has vindicated us’
"I hope this is not a strategic retreat or a political game. If is it honest, then I am proud of the President but if it is the lull before the storm or a strategic retreat it will be very unfortunate."
Namwamba said Kibaki’s turnaround was a vindication of "the position some of us held in the committee that the positions ought to filled in a manner that is transparent, competitive and allows public participation".
Mudavadi said internal pressure from the citizens compelled the President to realise his mistakes and change his mind. He said what Kibaki did shows Kenya’s new Constitution does not allow a President with sweeping powers.